thePULSEBy Jillian Locke
Capturing the essence of today’s post-hardcore/metalcore movement, Vanna, who enjoys a huge Massachusetts following, is forging into 2011 with a new label and a new EP, the first recording featuring former Seeker Destroyer vocalist Davey Muise, who couldn’t be happier with the change.
“This is the best decision I’ve ever made,” affirms Muise, who joined Vanna in the summer of 2009. “Seeker Destroyer toured with Vanna, and we were all really close friends. We did their CD release tour for A New Hope, and their singer quit right before the tour. They talked to me about it, and I went on tour with them. It was supposed to be for a week, and then they asked me to stay for the rest of the tour. Then they asked me to be in the band.”
More change was on the horizon for the group, featuring founding guitarists Nick Lambert and Evan Pharmakis, bassist Shawn Marquis, and drummer Chris Campbell. They decided it was time to make a move from their old label, Epitaph, to a smaller, more intimate label. They found the home they were looking for at Artery Recordings. “Our management group [Crimson Management] is family ~ they’re really close to us. We wanted our label to feel the same way, like a family. We really couldn’t be happier with our position and where we are. We wish Epitaph luck – they’re all really good guys.”
Signing with a new label gave the boys a chance not only to establish their presence, but to introduce the latest addition to the Vanna discography. And thus, on October 12th, The Honest Hearts EP was unleashed to hungry, anxious fans. “It’s my debut recording,” Muise explains. “We did the EP to get something out with me on it. It was a natural progression.” With three brand new tracks and two older fan and band favorites, Vanna’s latest effort is an ode to both their past and present.
The fans have embraced the changes just as much as the band, which is a huge testament in and of itself. “I love Vanna fans,” says Muise. “They’re the best, most loyal and faithful fans in the world. When I joined, kids stuck with it. They’ve been so behind us and so supportive.”
A recent sold-out performance this past February at The Palladium confirmed this support, and brought a life-long goal to fruition for Muise. “I spent my entire childhood going to shows there, and now, almost my entire adult career playing music has been there. It’s come full circle. We headlined there in February and played to 1,800 people. The downstairs was sold-out, so they opened up the balcony. That was just incredible to me. It’s still one of my favorite places to play.”
It’s been an incredibly positive year for Vanna, and 2011 seems to be shaping up to be no different. “We’re really coming into our own. We’re writing new stuff and will be entering the studio in February to record a new album. We’ve got international touring and lots of things coming up for us. We’re really excited.”
And all of this success seems to be directly linked to the way they live their life and view their band. “We’re five guys being really, truly honest with their music. This is us shooting from the heart with everything we do. This band is our life ~ this is all we have. This is all we care about.”
