The Chapel Hill based rock trio released “The Juggernaut”, their second album in 2006. Since their debut, the critically-acclaimed "Where Are the People?", the group intensified their creative vision. The sophomore effort produced by Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Pavement, Squirrel Nut Zippers) and recorded at his famed studio, “The Fidelitorium,” began with a bang as the band recorded the album’s basic tracks live in one extremely ambitious session. The shift in recording techniques was intended to better document the band’s live shows, which wed artistic depth with a refreshing sense of fun.
Principle songwriters Jay Manley (guitar/vocals) and Jane Francis (bass/vocals) joined by Zsolt David (drums) craft more than just smart pop songs with fascinating structures. Velvet seamlessly assimilates a batch of influences – including Aimee Mann, Television, The Grays and The Pretenders with hints of Maria McKee, Jimi Hendrix and Guided By Voices. The songs of “Juggernaut” document stories of longing for love, recognition, and emancipation from the illusory heavy burden of the world.
Since its beginnings as a Wilmington-based art-rock outfit in 1995, Velvet’s artistry and career continued to remain upwardly mobile. The band’s work is featured in Daniel Kraus’ film “Jefftowne” and MTV bought the rights to use Velvet’s songs in its reality-based programs. In addition to “Where are the People?” Velvet covered “Bad Machinery” for a Let’s Active tribute and made an appearance on the German Compilation "Coast to Coast".
Performing at Sparklefest, the state’s power-pop festival, International Pop Overthrow in Chicago and New York, and organizing a benefit for Duke University’s Primate Center, the band’s intelligent songwriting and stage presence draws together a diverse fan base with a sound that’s entertaining, thought-provoking and impossible to ignore.
