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The Velvet Teen | |
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 The Velvet Teen performing in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Santa Rosa, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
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| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | thevelvetteen |
The Velvet Teen is an Americanindependent rock trio fromSonoma County, California.
The Velvet Teen is originally the name ofJudah Nagler's electronic solo project, whose official debut was made during a brief Icelandic tour that began on New Year's Eve, 1999. In 2000, during which Nagler andLogan Whitehurst were members of the band Little Tin Frog, the two began meeting in secret to write songs together under the moniker, 'The Secret Band.'[1] When Little Tin Frog disbanded later that year, Nagler and Whitehurst continued their project and adopted Nagler's solo title, the Velvet Teen.[2] They recorded and releasedComasynthesis, a 6-song EP. In 2001, they were joined by bassist/vocalist Josh Staples and recorded their second EP,The Great Beast February.
The Velvet Teen signed to Slowdance Records, an independent record label fromPortland, OR. They enlistedDeath Cab for Cutie'sChris Walla to produce their first full-length album,Out of the Fierce Parade. Whitehurst, who was also an accomplished artist, created the etchings used as the album's artwork.[3] Two music videos from the album ("Radiapathy" and "The Prize Fighter") were made and aired onMTV2.
Their second full-length album,Elysium, is a stylistic departure from their previous work, and does not contain anyguitar. With a core instrumentation of drums, bass, and piano, other noteworthy elements include string and horn arrangements arranged by Adam Theis, the electronic glitches of "Satre Ringo", and the 12-minute, 1089-word epic "Chimera Obscurant."Elysium was recorded on a laptop by Judah and his brother Ephriam Nagler at various locations in Sonoma County, and mixed atKingsize Soundlabs inLos Angeles byDave Trumfio and Mike Krassner.[4]
Several months before the release ofElysium, Whitehurst fell ill, was diagnosed withbrain cancer, and subsequently left the band to focus on treatment. Casey Deitz was recruited as the new drummer after filling in for multiple shows.[4]
The band recorded and released their third album,Cum Laude!, again with Judah and Ephriam producing and engineering.Cum Laude! was another stylistic departure and features an IDM-influenced, progressive rock sound that was louder, faster, and livelier than any of their previous work. The music video for "Tokyoto" was directed and edited by Nagler, and is the only music video fromCum Laude!.[5] They supported the album onMinus the Bear's 2006 tour withP.O.S andRussian Circles.
Upon finishing the tour, Staples quit the band. On December 3, 2006, original drummer Logan Whitehurst died at his home inLos Banos, CA after a long battle with cancer.[6]
On February 28, 2007, Nagler posted a message on the Velvet Teen's official website confirming that the band would continue. They performed and toured nationally with a new line-up in the fall of 2007; Nagler on bass/keys/vocals, Deitz on drums/vocals, and Matthew Izen ofPolar Bears, formerly of The New Trust, on guitar.
In the spring of 2009, Josh Staples rejoined the band, and the Velvet Teen performed as a quartet inSan Jose, CA. The first and only recording with this line-up, a four-song EP titledNo Star, was recorded by Chris Manning atFantasy Studios inBerkeley, CA, and Salamander Sound inSan Rafael, CA. The recording was first self-released on CD and sold on theirJapanese tour in October 2010 with The New Trust. It was released digitally on November 11, 2010, and physically (12" co-release with Side With Us/Makeyousick Records) on January 7, 2011, at the band's 12"/CD release show atBottom of the Hill inSan Francisco. A video for the song "No Star," directed by Mike Sloat, was released on February 19, 2011.
On August 9, 2012, (days after Izen announced he was no longer in the band) the Velvet Teen announced they would be recording their next full-length album in early September. Steve Choi (Rx Bandits, Peace'd Out) and Roger Camero (No Motiv, Peace'd Out) recorded and co-produced the album. On September 20, 2012, the band announced on their website, "Nearly all of the tracking is finished for our upcoming full length. Title and release details are currently being determined. 11 songs. All new material. Oh, and it RULES."
On April 1, 2014, the band updated their official website with artwork for the album byYoung and Sick, and new information about the release of the album in 2014.
The Velvet Teen released the albumAll Is Illusory on June 30, 2015.
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