Veronica Falls: "Moved by subtle things."
VERONICA FALLS have a lot of weather about them. There are gathering clouds in their guitar lines, a breeze via background tambourines and bittersweet vocals that invoke that quintessentially British act of basking in even the slimmest slither of early spring sunshine. Coming from Glasgow and London, it’s hardly surprising. The quartet are Roxanne (vocals/guitar), Patrick (drums), Marion (bass) and James (guitar), who’s also in Your Twenties (interviewed here). Their half Scottish roots are very present in their sound, recalling the dreaminess of Cocteau Twins tempered with the jangly, eyes-down tones of The Pastels. They also share that curiously uplifting bleakness with modern day contemporaries DJANGO DJANGO (interviewed here) and tour buddies the VIVIAN GIRLS.
All in all, it’s very fitting that on officially the first day of spring they should release their debut single Found Love In A Graveyard (listen above) on Trouble Records. At once moody and upbeat, it’s pretty damn lovely. “Uplifting sad songs are my favourite, like The Eurythmics or The Smiths,” explains singer Roxanne over email before talking us through her favourite love songs below. “I like lyrics that don’t make total sense and are a bit of a contradiction. Or a happy vocal melody on top of a dark guitar line. Personally I am a very sentimental person and get moved by subtle things all the time, like the sight of an old lady in the rain or a discarded shoe or something – I know that sounds cheesy but it’s true.”
Since finishing their tour with the Vivian Girls, they’ve been “playing shows, recording a bit, riding our bikes, writing more songs” as well as making their first video for Found Love In A Graveyard on super 8 film. “We’re really excited about getting the footage back, we almost froze to death in the snow on Hampstead Heath,” says Roxanne. With more UK shows and releases planned later this year, the band are also signed to Captured Tracks in the US and have an East Coast tour coming up in May. What are they most looking forward to in 2010 though? “The weather getting warmer so we can swim in the lido.”
Veronica Falls’ Roxanne on her 5 favourite love songs
Listen to them on Spotify by clicking here.
Roky Erickson Starry Eyes
“The original Roky Erickson version, not the VF one – though our version does have it’s charms! I fell for Roky when I first heard ‘I have always been here before’, it instantly became one of my all time favourite songs. I thought ‘who’s this guy that’s trying to rip off Guided By Voices?’, then I realised it was the other way around. I much prefer his solo records to anything the 13th Floor Elevators ever did. His melodies and voice are so amazing.”
Tommy James and the Shondells Crimson And Clover
“I get a vivid mental image of a school disco, a smoke machine and teenage slow dancing when I listen to this and I imagine it was written for me.”
Wreckless Eric Whole Wide World
“We listen to this song in the car, it’s simply the best positive love song.”
The Cryin’ Shames Please Stay
“This song is perfect in everyway. The desperation in the singers voice, the angelic backing vocals and the happy ending.”
Red House Painters Mistress
“I think this song is about forbidden or neglected love but I love it all the same.”
Veronica Fall’s debut single Found Love In A Graveyard is out today on Trouble Records. They play White Heat at Madame Jo Jo’s tomorrow night with Dum Dum Girls.
If you like this, you should also check out our interview with Girls.
