Band Spotlight: VEXINE // ‘Empty Hole’

Photo: PJ Sykes

VEXINE is a 4-piece band based in Richmond, VA .  Formed in 2012, the group features frontwoman Sarah Gleason on vocals, Paul Pearce on lead guitar and vocals, Michael Skiffington on bass and Jorge Santamaria on drums.  VEXINE formed after the breakup of a former band, The Velvet Marias.  This group enjoyed local success as an alt-country / cowpunk outfit, releasing a record in 2010. While writing the follow-up, Gleason and Pearce realised that the emerging songs they were writing together were nothing like that of the Marias. After sharing the music with the rest of the band, it became obvious that a change was in order. In late 2012, VEXINE formed from 4 of the 5 original members of the Velvet Marias. This new band released their self-titled debut in 2013 and a follow-up live record in 2014. As both their popularity and experience in the local RVA music scene grew, their sound evolved into something more aggressive and stylised – a reflection of both their eclectic musical tastes and dedicated stage persona as a band.

Listen to VEXINE’s latest track: ‘Empty Hole’

Following the release of both their debut and live records, VEXINE entered a period of intense gigging throughout central Virginia, developing resulting in a tight, well-rehearsed rhythm section punctuated by soaring vocals and stinging guitar. Recording their third record throughout 2015, VEXINE produced a collection of songs that is now catching everyone’s attention. VEXINE began writing Little Sin in 2014 both in and out of the rehearsal hall. Individual contributions by Gleason and Pearce are augmented by full-band efforts as well as one carefully selected song by a certain Declan MacManus. The title track is a sultry little number with gypsy rhythms pounding out the panic of a terrible secret.  Santamaria notes that “it was fun to break away and do something a little different with the drums on this track, it is song about murder that is simultaneously dark and bouncy.”

Tilly McCarthy