The Vespers – Interview
December 1, 2012
Concert at Cup ‘O Joy
Green Bay, Wisconsin
With two concerts remaining on their 2012 tour schedule, The
Vespers relaxed in the comfortable confines of the Cup ‘O Joy’s artist lounge
while the opening act began their set. The four members of the group seemed
typically youthful and driven as most new artists are. What soon became
apparent were their chemistry, maturity, and faith.
The Vespers consist of two sisters and two brothers of
different families. As serendipity would have its way, they met in Nashville
(their hometown) through mutual friends.
Band members include Callie Cryer (vocals, guitars and electric bass),
Phoebe Cryer (vocals, guitars), Bruno Jones (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and
Taylor Jones (drums, percussion, mandolin, backing vocals). After three and
half years of constant touring and two albums they have found their stride,
their public, and success but have not lost their values or their humor.
Question: What
would you like to include in this interview that you haven’t been asked before?
Callie: We
usually get it all in!
Taylor: Well, to
start, we really love to play. But more than playing or singing we have joy in
entertaining. It can be a challenge to entertain. As a band we try to come from
a broader perspective when we entertain.
Q: What emotions
are you trying to evoke with your music?
T: All emotions.
Bruno: We do have
an angry rock-out song!
T: Reactions are
key. What do people react to? We take responsibility for the emotional roller
coaster we develop. (Laughs all around.)
Reactions should include laughter, thought provoking moments, joy, Christian
messages – hopeful messages, some sad tones. An emotional ride.
Q: Where do you
gather inspiration for your music?
Phoebe: Everything,
everywhere. Lines from spoken or written works, random experiences.
T: People or things
that have rocked my world. If I wake up the next day still thinking of an
experience it makes me take the time to discover what it is.
Q: Like a great
picture, the inspiration stays with you. This is true of any art. Do you find
this is true for you?
T: Yes, the
longer we do this (music, touring) the more it is like a social experience, we
take pride in how the team entertains and the impact it has. As a team, we do much
better than we would as solo acts.
P: The best
instrumentalists can do all their fancy tricks and not move anyone.
T: The audience, being
in touch with what people are into, is the fuel for our success - their reactions
through our art. So much good comes from talking to the audience, relating and
conversing with the audience. This is a luxury we have at this point in our
career. The name of our current album, ‘Four Walls’, comes from this
experience. The breaking down of the proverbial wall between the artist and the audience,
keeping in touch with the audience.
Q: Do you find this
is the true heart of the artist.
T: Yes,
connecting with the audience each night keeps us on the same plane as the
audience. It is critical to remember we are all alike, we are all seeking
something.
Q: What part of
yourself do you put into The Vespers music?
C: This is the only outlet I have musically. There
is not anything I don’t put into it. Whatever
I’m feeling or wanting to get across in writing or performing, everything is
included. Having said that, I am a
private person. But I live and perform in the moment, to my fullest ability.
T: I try to offer my strengths while
not overshadowing the strengths of others in the band.
Each of us shines
in our own way. We all participate with the audience. Musically, my
contribution is rhythm,
in writing my contribution is real life perspective.
P: I give it all,
my heart and soul. If I’m going to do something I give it everything I have.
From a musical perspective, this is inclined toward Americana, folk not pop.
This is true whether I’m writing or playing guitar. I’m all in.
B: I’m into the
music, it is a part of me. You could say I’m the grease that makes the wheels
turn. (Laughs, all chime in – he’s the WD40, the gas and the governor.)
The interview comes to a close and the concert takes of in
full throttle with “Grinnin’ In Your Face” as Callie sings lead with great
emotion and Bruno plays acoustic slide like an old bluesman. Favorites include
rockers “Lawdy, Lawdy”, “Got No Friends” and “Close My Eyes”. Others take on an
deeper emotional flavor with “Better Now” based on the story of the blind man
in the Bible, and ‘Flowers’, a lighter more joyful offering.
Not to exclude the audience from other emotions in the
Vespers emotional roller coaster, the night included the introduction of a new
song, “Wild West”, a Christmas offering in “Once In Royal”, and a surprise
ending getting the audience pumped with their rendition of Van Halen’s “Jump”.
As the lights went up, the audience met with the band, and the
Cup ‘O Joy musical venue ended another great concert night I was left with added
descriptions of each member of The Vespers:
Callie – motion and emotion
Phoebe – expressive, stability
Taylor – the glue, the rhythm
Bruno – the melody, guitarist and bass extraordinaire!
As a group – truth, joy, love and a great deal of
excitement.
Scott S Mertens
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