Victor Vellocette is hard to describe. Initially inspired by the classic song writing styles of New Yorks Brill building era, he has developed into an all round, prolific songwriter and accomplished performer. He is his story.
In a previous incarnation, Victor was the singer in a touring punk rock band but in 2016 when the band ceased trading and the dust had settled they sold the van, amps, and un-used equipment. With his piece of eight, Victor bought a bunch of second hand recording equipment, some old guitars, drums and synthesizers and set up shop in the small spare room in his house. Learning as he went, he started work on his Debut Album entitled “VV”. This was a collection of songs he had been playing around with for a while, but had no prior outlet. The process was long and at times frustrating, with Victor Playing every instrument on the record. When the album was finished he set up a pre-release through his own record label “Retromatic Records” and sold enough copies through pre sales that he managed a limited run of cassette tapes and individually stamped and created CDs. A successful release show commenced in his home City of Cambridge, selling out of most of his albums. After this wishing to not lose momentum, he brushed himself off and booked as many gigs as possible, any where that would have him, so he could keep scratching the itch of performing live, something Victor thrives on and simply couldn’t live without. Unfortunately this came at a cost and he found himself burning out and losing focus.
The following year he started making a new album, trying to shift focus back to the creative process. However this release fell by the wayside and is regarded as a lost difficult second album. Victor was in an uncertain and unhappy place. All wasn’t lost though as a stroke of luck had offered him to write underscore music for TV and Film. Victors scores have since been used on dozens of US and UK tv shows.
Now Victor has found fresh energy and focus and has finished recording his brand new album, titled “VV III” due to be released on ….. His live performances have gone back to the story telling troubadour style that has earnt him so many fans at so many gigs. Victor is now close to performing 1000 shows all over the UK and Europe in various outfits and guises, this is what he calls his “Bruce Springsteen University”, playing hard gigs but working harder to win over even 1 new fan every night.
Musically there is a solid old style approach to song writing on this record, big choruses you will want to sing along with, catchy verses with sweet melodies and most importantly – honesty which generally is missing in music at the moment. Its fundamentally a pop record, with elements of Folk and Country to Surf and Garage rock. This record is one that needs your attention, even just out of appreciation for the hard work that has gone before.
Victor Vellocette is back, and he is here for keeps.
credits
released October 28, 2019
All songs written and performed by Victor Vellocette except for Pedal Steel Guitar on"Going Nowehere" which was written and performed by David Hartley.
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