THOUGH HIS quiet demeanor might suggest otherwise, le Verita’s Harrison Russell is not at all shy about sharing his opinions regarding the state of music today.
“I think someone needs to come along and give music a good kick in the ass. Everyone says there’s no new ideas. I beg to differ. Why can’t someone create something new? I’m not saying I’m the guy to do it, but I’m trying at least,” Russell says.
Though a relatively new band, le Verita is quickly gaining attention locally as a unique musical outfit.
It would be hard not to notice le Verita, considering that there aren’t a whole lot of well-dressed, two-piece, electronic-folk-ambient-rock groups playing San Jose on any given night.
“I find it’s better to play in front of audiences that wouldn’t normally listen to our kind of music. It’s better than playing with a bunch of bands that look and sound like us,” Russell says.
Le Verita is obviously influenced by the likes of post-punk bands like Joy Division, which it mixes together with elements of offbeat ’80s synth-pop and straight guitar rock. What results though is definitely not dance music, nor do the drum machines and keyboards get treated as novelty. The music is serious, dark and carefully textured, with an understated intensity that builds gradually and slowly creeps underneath your skin.
The music is even more epic when experienced in concert, an odd contrast to their shy stage presence. Russell gently plays his guitar while bandmate Star Quach plays along on the keyboards. Add in some pre-programmed drum machines, backing tracks and Russell’s deep, Leonard Cohen–esque vocals, and before you know it, the music has overshadowed everything else.
With so many other emerging bands these days being heavily influenced by the post-punk sound, le Verita is hard to pin down.
“Mainstream music is the shallowest it’s been in a while,” Russell says. “Everybody’s trying to sound like they’re from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s or whatever. I’m trying to refine our sound by pulling from a lot of different influences.”
“People have compared us to Bright Eyes, Sigur Ros, Bob Dylan, Joy Division, Gang of Four, Radiohead and Yo La Tengo to name a few,” says Quach. Their music continues to evolve as they continue to mix in more influences and become better musicians.
“The drum parts I’ve been programming lately are sounding like hip-hop songs. I like rap, ’cause it’s not about how complex the music is. The focus is on the beat,” Russell says.
While Russell and Quach are still developing musically, le Verita appears to be growing closer to their vision.
“To me, it’s pop music. People think pop and they think Lady Gaga. Not me. I like indie rock, but I want to make music that people outside of the indie community will enjoy. I’m trying to find a catchy way to mix it all together. I want people to sing along to our songs,” Russell explains.
Currently, le Verita has an EP available on iTunes called Iron Ghosts, and the duo plans to record a full-length at the end of the year. While the reception it has been getting has been good, the band has had some difficulty finding a comfortable spot within existing scenes.
“The Pitchfork hipster crowd says we’re too poppy, but the pop crowd thinks we’re too depressing. A lot of indie bands try to be esoteric, but I think it’s OK to be catchy and interesting at the same time,” Russell says.
He’s not sure exactly what the future has in store for them.
“Maybe we’re not right for the current climate. I don’t know. I’m not trying to rebel against anything. I’m just trying to make music that people will enjoy. I don’t want to alienate anyone, but I’m not trying to include everyone.”
Le Verita
With Audrye Sessions and Picture Atlantic
Saturday, Aug. 21, Homestead Lanes, Cupertino; $8
