A Q&A with Versa
Post-Rock Meets Prog, from British Columbia – here’s Matt from Versa…
What’s the title of your latest release?
A Voyage / A Destination, Part 2.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Co-ordinating the band and contributing musicians who all have full-time careers and families apart from music.
Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do enjoy most about producing your own material?
I produced the album. I’m a very detail-oriented person and I like the process of putting everything together, choosing the best takes, editing different parts into a coherent whole, and hearing a song take shape from a demo into a completed track.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
We hope listeners connect with the emotional dynamics, storytelling, and layered instrumentation of our songs.
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
For ‘Versa’, there are usually two ways songs come together – either I (or sometimes Hollas) fully notate a piece, and we then work through it and everyone adds their touch, like ‘Flew the Coop’ on A Voyage / A Destination, Part 2. Or, it emerges from recording improvisational jams, which I then structure – ‘Breaking and Entering’ on the new album is one of those.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
Big Big Train influenced my lyricism, and bands like Jethro Tull, Sigur Ros, Genesis, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor shape our sound. Recently, progressive metal bands like Haken and Caligula’s Horse have crept into our sound too.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
Given our location and commitments, touring isn’t feasible now, but we’d love to play festivals like ProgStock and Cruise to the Edge.
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
Definitely check out ‘Flew the Coop’ – it’s a great mix of post-rock, prog, and indie influences, with guest vocals from Ross Jennings.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
We just want our music to reach the right listeners and hope to play some festival gigs in 2025.
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Please check out the new album, A Voyage / A Destination, Part 2 – we worked really hard on it and think you’ll enjoy it!
For more info about Versa, visit versa-music.com
