of Verona
of Verona | |
|---|---|
 Dillon Pace, Mandi Perkins, Jeff Sojka Swing House Studios 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genres | Electro Pop, Futuristic Rock, Indie Rock, Electronica |
| Years active | 2010 — Present |
| Labels | De Novo Music Group Hype Music |
| Members | Mandi Perkins Jeff Sojka Dillon Pace |
| Website | ofverona |
of Verona is a futuristic/indie rock group that formed in Los Angeles in 2010. Their debut album, The White Apple, was released in partnership with Hype Music on July 10, 2012.[1][2]
History
Formation
Dillon Pace was introduced to Mandi Perkins in early 2010 and they formed of Verona shortly thereafter. The two then invited Jeff Sojka to join the band after a chance meeting at Mikal Blue's Revolver Studio’s when they were there to work with Atlantic Recording artist Rumer.[3] The band’s name is derived from William Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona, one of Shakespeare’s earliest known plays.[4]
Fall Like Roses EP (2011)
After touring extensively and playing events such as the main stage at the Summerfest Music Festival in Milwaukee [5] and playing on the opening night of the New Music Seminar,[6][7] of Verona released their Fall Like Roses EP, on July 11th 2011. The EP was available for free download through the bands Facebook page [8] and generated considerable industry praise. MTV declared them, ‘One To Watch’ and stated that, "If you like melodic rock & roll with great female vocals like Florence and the Machine, you’ll definitely dig of Verona," [9] and Hits Magazine featured them as one of the top five acts to break.[10] KROQ, who started to spin their song “Castles,” stated that, “Behind Mandi Perkins powerhouse vocals and heartfelt lyrics, of Verona has quickly become a leading act to watch for.”[11]
The White Apple (2012)
After the success of the Fall Like Roses EP, the band began work on their debut full length album, “The White Apple.” The album was recorded at their Los Angeles studio and produced by band member Dillon Pace.[12] The White Apple was released on July 10, 2012 through Hype Music and received generally favorable reviews. Lemonade Magazine rated it 5 out of 5 stars and stated, “We expected of Verona to come out with a strong debut, but “The White Apple” is more than just strong. It’s a challenge to anyone out there, as if to say “This is 2012, this is the future of music. Now let’s see what the rest of you can do.” [13][14] Stereo Subversion gave it an 'A' rating while saying that, “This is a must-buy album; a potential blockbuster that should be a candidate for top album honors in 2012.”[15] iTunes also gave it a very favorable review stating that, “The band blends electronica with a timeless take on alternative pop and forward thinking production, making music that could score a soundtrack to a film that takes place in the not-too-distant future.”[16]
The album’s lead single, Castles, has received radio play on stations such as: KROQ and 98.7fm in Los Angeles and the song’s video was also added to rotation on MTVU.[17] The album’s song, Dark In My Imagination, has been played regularly on KCRW [18][19] and has also been featured on a number of blogs such as: Kick Kick Snare [20] and The Get Downn.[21] The song also reached number fifteen on the Hype Machine chart.[22][23] The songs from the album spurred a myriad of television synchs on several shows including: Teen Wolf, Army Wives, Vampire Diaries, Dance Moms, Friendzone and The Real L Word.[24] The band played two dates at Filter Magazine's Culture Collide Festival and toured with Shiny Toy Guns in October 2012.[25][26][27]
Band members
- Dillon Pace – Guitars, Keyboard, Programming, Production, Mixing
- Mandi Perkins – Lead Vocals, Lyrics, Vocal Production
- Jeff Sojka – Drums, Percussion, Mixing
Discography
Studio Albums:
- 2012: The White Apple
Extended Plays:
- 2011: Fall Like Roses EP
Miscellaneous:
- 2012: Holiday Mixtape [28]
References
- ^ http://hypemusic.com/
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-white-apple/id536419400
- ^ http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Celebrity_Talk_102/mandi-perkins-talks-of-verona.php
- ^ http://www.rslblog.com/2012/02/one-to-watch-of-verona.html
- ^ http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/festivals/124496524.html
- ^ http://www.disarraymagazine.com/2011/02/live-review-new-music-seminar-opening.html
- ^ http://elenamusic.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/of-verona-and-blaqstarr-live-at-the-music-box-in-the-new-music-seminar/
- ^ http://rm64.com/2011/07/22/take-notice-of-verona/
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYJDyfK1WWc
- ^ http://ofverona.tumblr.com/post/5525590295/5-1-11-hits-magazine-feature
- ^ http://cbskroq.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/kroq-exclusive-interview-locals-only-band-of-verona-proves-theres-still-room-for-women-in-rock/
- ^ http://hypemusic.com/new-music/of-verona/
- ^ http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/aride/TheWhiteAppleLemonadeMagReviewcopy.jpg
- ^ http://www.lemonademagazine.net/
- ^ http://stereosubversion.com/reviews/of-verona-the-white-apple
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-white-apple/id536419400
- ^ http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/07/30/of-verona-castles-video
- ^ http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/aride/KCRWofVeronaNOWPLAYING_zps45e6acb9.jpg
- ^ http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/aride/KCRWoV_zpscb4a66c2.jpg
- ^ http://kickkicksnare.com/2012/07/20/introducing-of-verona/
- ^ http://thegetdownnn.com/2012/06/27/verona-dark-imagination/
- ^ http://hypem.com/
- ^ http://ofverona.tumblr.com/post/30115702267/dark-in-my-imagination-is-15-on-the-hypem-charts
- ^ http://hypemusic.com/new-music/of-verona/
- ^ http://culturecollide.com/index.php/artists/
- ^ http://filtermagazine.com/index.php/news/entry/culture_collide_2012_day_1_recap_w_john_talabot_dean_wareham_more
- ^ http://www.rickshawstop.com/event/159269
- ^ http://ofverona.com/Music.html
External links
