Tracy TorresV/V is the Salem-based band you’ve never heard of even though it’s been making music since 2011. It is composed of Salem natives Jarred Venti and Blaine Vogt. And while they have been performing together for years, V/V is a whole different kind of collaboration.
Jarred and Blaine are both active in the Salem music scene. Blaine currently plays with One More Story and Jarred plays with Sleep Millenium and Lords of Blackpool, in addition to being a “gun for hire.”
Yet you have not seen V/V perform live. That’s because the duo’s music is based on being recorded and V/V has a unique way of preparing for it. Blaine doesn’t write the songs until 10 to 15 minutes prior to recording. Jarred does the mixing and brings it all together. This freedom to record without pressure is thanks to home devices and software. “I just use a podcast mic and up until two months ago used GarageBand and then discovered Logic. It has changed my life,” said Jarred.
Just like The Beatles, Blaine describes Jarred as “…my Lennon or McCartney. I don’t trust anyone else to finish my lyrics.” Plus, once in Jarred’s hands, they are “better than I left it off.” Blaine writes most of the lyrics, vocals and plays guitar for V/V, while Jarred composes most of the music, which they describe as psychedelic, rock, with a little industrial thrown in for good measure.
Even though they have recorded three albums, it has only been over the past few months that the duo has released their music. Up until now, it’s been a personal project only shared with a handful of people.
Both Blaine and Jarred love the creative channel V/V allows them. The duo formed out of necessity. “We had all of these ideas and no outlet for them,” said Blaine.
They chose this name because they “want people to make up their own minds” about what the music says, said Blaine. When asked about their favorite songs from the record, both declare: “Walking the Earth.” Jarred added “Backseat World” as his other favorite. You can check out both of these songs now.
The duo’s first album V/V I will be released on New Year’s Day (2020). Watch for it on your favorite streaming music platform. And keep an eye out for V/V II and V/V III in the future to listen to how their sound has evolved. The albums will be released chronologically. “The songs are almost like listening to a different band now,” said Jarred.
As for where they see the band going, Blaine said, “I’m interested to see what the demand is. This project could do a number of things…I want to keep making music. I don’t see Jarred and I ever stopping this.”
And even though they are a “straight to record” band, a live show isn’t out of the question. Rumor has it, you may even find them performing at a local open mic one of these days.
Listen: soundcloud.com/v_v_band
Follow: instagram.com/v_v_band
Connect: v-v-band.blogspot.com
The Instigator
Carlee Wright
