V-Birds Flying High
Derby’s screamo/rock outfit Violet are certainly on a high at the moment, celebrating the release of their debut 11 track album “Eleven Eleven”, which they are currently giving away at their gigs across Derbyshire and the rest of the UK.
Having formed in 2007, the band have grown from 4 to 7 (yes, seven!) members. Sam Bass (guitar/backing vocals) recalls the early days: “We formed 3 years ago, starting out as a four piece where we started practicing in Charlie’s bedroom (Sam's brother and also Violet's 2nd vocalist). Since then it seems like we’ve been collecting new members!”
The band, completed by Jonny Nelson (vocals), Joe Middleton (guitar), Tommy Cotton (keys/synth), Robbie George (drums) and Liam Westnidge (bass) soon began rehearsing and writing at The Music Shed, a local rehearsal studio.
The recording of the album was initially plagued by problems at their friend Harry’s home studio, (Harry also plays drums for local boys A World Defined) although Sam says the band remained upbeat about it: “It was a good thing, as we gained time to work on the songs more and add synth, which we didn’t have at the start of recording. The album’s actually better thanks to the delays!”
When asked about their decision to give the album away for free, the band replied “We just want the music to be out there. We aren’t really going to make that much money from selling it yet, so we decided to give it out free at our gigs. We would rather that more people hear it for free, than it reach fewer ears and we get a couple of quid.”
The album is available via the internet at www.purevolume.com/violetvbirds or at any of their gigs. The bands next local gig will be at The Old Bell Hotel in Derby on 27th July, where you will be able to get your copy of their album!
