Blue Vedder: Leading the Charge in Naarm's Thriving Shoegaze/Dream-Pop Scene" + INTERVIEW
Emerging from the creative depths of Seth Hancock's bedroom in 2020, Blue Vedder has swiftly become a driving force in Naarm/Melbourne's shoegaze and dream-pop circles. Their signature blend of noisy, wall-of-sound guitars and ethereal vocals has captivated audiences, propelling them from humble beginnings to the forefront of the local music scene.
The band's inception saw Hancock inviting Lauren Eddy, Bryce Gardiner, and Colby Cross to join him on stage, igniting a sonic journey that would soon capture the hearts of fans across the nation. Their debut EP 'Static' proved to be a watershed moment, amassing over 50k streams, earning consistent airplay on Unearthed radio, and drawing capacity crowds to their shows in Melbourne and Wollongong.
Blue Vedder's meteoric rise caught the attention of triple j, leading to a coveted spot on the main stage at Spilt Milk Festival 2022 as the Unearthed winner. This milestone marked a pivotal moment in their career, thrusting them into the spotlight and solidifying their status as one of the scene's most promising acts.
As 2023 unfolds, Blue Vedder embarks on a new sonic chapter, blending their roots in 90s shoegaze with a fresh, modern sound. Recent performances alongside Australian shoegaze pioneers Flying Colours and Horror My Friend have further cemented their reputation as a band on the rise. Securing coveted slots at festivals like Yours & Owls and Spilt Milk Festival 2023 only underscores their growing influence and artistic prowess.
With each resonant chord and haunting melody, Blue Vedder continues to push boundaries and shape the landscape of Naarm's vibrant music scene, leaving an indelible mark on listeners who crave the immersive experience of shoegaze and dream-pop.
Hey Blue Vedder, How are you, Where are you based, and who do we have speaking to us today!
Heya! We're Blue Vedder, based out of Naarm/Melbourne and you're chatting to Seth!
I will say i'm a personal fan of the project firstly, I first heard 'The Soma' on Spotify (Thankyou), and was instantly drawn in -- So thank you for making lush music
How did Blue Vedder come to be?
Blue Vedder evolved from the music I was making during lockdown. Songs started to develop very quickly, and I made a bunch of demos (They're still up on our Bandcamp page). Soon enough I found myself talking to the others and we started jamming, that's pretty much how it became a band.
Who would you say are major influences to the sound of Blue Vedder? Because between a track like The Soma, and say Leather -- there's alot of different feeling, and sounds going on
I became obsessed with the album Deceiver by DIIV, and it then led me down the great path of shoegaze, slowcore, and dream-pop music. We're not stuck to one "genre" I'd say, we love all types of music and being able to throw different influences in makes it exciting. Currently, I love Sneaker Pimps, Fontaines DC, Foals, and Junodream, so finding lots of different inspirations.
How would you describe your music to a new listener?
I'd describe it as music that you can sit back and disassociate from the world. It's like putting on a warm blanket after a cold and gloomy day.
Could you describe your creative process when crafting heavily lyrical songs?
Typically we always write the music before lyrics, they'll naturally form. Bryce or myself will usually write demos, we'll then share those. I've loved taking on a more producer-based role and flipping songs to add to what's already existing. Our music is becoming more synth-based from the get-go, so we've been working on that a lot.
How do you ensure authenticity and raw expression in your performances and recordings?
We try to come up with a unique live show every time, it's our strongest form. I work in audio myself, so I'm obsessed with providing a professional-level show every time. Plus, lights make a huge difference. Recordings-wise, most of it is DIY, so we really do what we feel sounds good.
Can you give us some insight into your local music community, and what you are most proud of?
The community we're involved in has been soaring recently. There is some truly amazing music in our community and the crowd support is growing again. Everybody loves to play shows together and come along and support in any way they can.
Are there any other artists, creatives, bands you want to put forward that our readers should get around?
Absolutely! Armlock are some of my favourite crew and they're releasing new music again, I've been hanging out so much for it. Also obsessed with Juice Webster's Julia album at the moment! You also need to check out Rinse, some truly exceptional stuff coming out and Joe's live set and band are the best.
What can fans expect from Blue Vedder in the near future?
Heaps! We've bunkered down for a while, but a new rebrand and campaign is coming. New music too. Its like, 90% over the line.
Any Plans to come through NSW in the near future?
Absolutely! We'll be touring in the second half of this year.
Any Last Words?
The music industry has been suffering heavily, its scary. but don't let it get to your head. Keep the passion alive and stay true to who you are. Things come around.
https://www.bluevedder.com/