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Versa is a progressive/post-rock band based in Victoria, British Columbia since 2007. Check them out, below:
What are the origins of Versa, how long have you been playing together?
We met in a music composition class at the University of Victoria in 2006 and started playing live in early 2007. We were all fans of art rock, indie rock, and post-rock music, as well as classical and avant-garde music which is what drew us together.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Versa?
We live at the intersection between instrumental post-rock music and classic symphonic progressive rock music, with a bit of indie rock and folk thrown into the mix for good measure.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Our first gig was a blast – we played at the University of Victoria on-campus pub, Felicitas, to a crowd of mostly music students who were very into it and supportive. It was a bit touch-and-go, performance-wise – the first time for all of us playing a rock gig – but tonnes of fun.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
We just released our fourth LP, “A Voyage / A Destination, Part 2”, with music videos for the lead single, “Flew the Coop”, and instrumental track “The Seething Bay” – those are a great place for people to start if they’re interested in listening to our music.
In terms of a similar audience, which band out there at the minute do you feel Versa would be best suited to open for?
The most recent album has earned some very flattering comparisons to Big Big Train, and BBT drummer Nick D’Virgilio played drums on “Voyage” from our 2022 LP, “A Voyage / A Destination”. It’d be a real honour to open for them. Mogwai’s got a new album coming out, as well, and they’ve always integrated some elements of King Crimson-style prog with their post-rock, so it’d be a tonne of fun to open for them, too.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Our friends in Moon Letters, a Seattle-based prog band who have been around a few years and have a new LP coming in 2025, definitely deserve more recognition – they’re fantastic.
What frustrates you about the music business?
The biggest thing that frustrates me about the music business is how much music has been devalued since Napster and file sharing convinced most listeners they deserved to get their music for free. People complain a lot about how little musicians earn from streaming services, but a big reason for that is that streaming was created not to compete with physical album sales, it was created to compete with piracy and people just ripping albums and artists off wholesale.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
Hollas, Jesse, and I [Matt] all grew up in musical families and we’ve all been playing music for as long as we can remember. My earliest musical memories are sitting with my mother (who was a classical pianist) and learning to play the piano. I always wanted to play music in some capacity, but it was hearing Jethro Tull’s “Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day” when I was 18 that made me focus on rock music.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
I saw The National with the War on Drugs in Vancouver with my wife a few weeks ago. The National were fantastic. They’re very laid-back on record but they rock pretty hard and play with a lot of muscle live.
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
Please keep your pet cats inside. Domestic cats needlessly kill over a billion birds a year
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
I have a copy of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s second album, “Let’s Go Bang” in my collection. It’s just terrible.
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
Outside of music? I’m a huge fan of FromSoft games (Dark Souls / Bloodborne / Sekiro / Elden Ring) and animated comedies (Simpsons, Futurama, Archer, Venture Bros, Bob’s Burgers).
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
There have been some really incredible albums released this year already. My favourites are probably “A Dream is All We Know” by Lemon Twigs (throwback classic/psychedelic rock), “Wheels Within Wheels” by Meer (art rock/prog rock), and Pieroma by Orgone (avant-garde metal).
What do the closing stages of 2024 hold for Versa?
2024 is almost over, but we’re returning to the stage for the first time in almost 8 years in December. In 2025 we’re going to record a few covers for fun and get started on LP 5.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
I try to post semi-regularly on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We have a TikTok page but I haven’t been able to bring myself to use it yet. If you message us on FB or Instagram you should hear back within 24 hours.
https://www.facebook.com/versamusic/
Links to Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, etc at www.versa-music.com
