The Veldt
OriginToronto & London
GenresShoegaze, Alternative Soul
Years active1986–present
LabelsCapital Records
Mercury Records
PolyGram
Mammoth Records
Manimal Vinyl
Schoolkids Records
Optical Sounds
Stardog Records
Yesha Inc
Disques Sinthomme
MembersDaniel Chavis, Danny Chavis, Hayato Nakao, Alex Cox, Dale W Miller, and Martin Newman
Past membersMarvin Levi, Joe Boyle, Dave Burris, Sam Clowney, Des White, Frank Olson, Micah Gaugh, Michael Simone, LG Galleon [1]

The Veldt is a pioneering alternative soul and shoegaze group formed in 1986 in Raleigh, North Carolina by identical twin brothers Daniel and Danny Chavis. The band took their name from a Ray Bradbury science fiction story. After signing with Capitol Records in 1989, the group went on to tour America opening for such groups as The Jesus and Mary Chain and the Cocteau Twins, whose member Robin Guthrie produced their initial recordings.[1] Their 1994 album 'Afrodisiac' is viewed as a classic of the shoegaze genre.[2][3]

The Veldt have received media coverage from outlets including Pitchfork,[2] Vice,[4] The Guardian,[5] The Huffington Post,[6] All Music Guide,[1] Louder Than War,[7] Stereogum,[3] and many others including praise from producers Joe Foster (My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus and Mary Chain), Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), A.R. Kane, and Doc McKinney (The Weeknd, Drake), alongside collaborators including TV On The Radio, Mos Def and Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite), and acts they have opened for such as The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Pixies, Throwing Muses, Echo & The Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins, Manic Street Preachers, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis, Modern English, Chuck D, Living Colour, and Schooly D.[4][7][1][6][8]

The Chavis brothers relocated to New York City's East Village in the 1990s and later initiated the musical project Apollo Heights in the 2000s before returning to working under The Veldt moniker in the 2010s.[1]

The Veldt are increasingly recognized as creating a path for marginalized voices[4] and as an influence on the lineage of music that has led to the Alternative R&B success of The Weeknd and Miguel.[5]

History

Performing since they were children, the Chavis brothers’ musical roots lead back to the church and southern juke-joints, and listening to music that included gospel, Motown and Pink Floyd.[5] The Veldt's early years were spent in Raleigh during the late '80s/early '90s boom in North Carolina's independent music scene that included acts such as Superchunk, Archers of Loaf, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and Ryan Adams.[1]

Legacy & Influence

Pitchfork included The Veldt's 1994 album ‘Afrodisiac’ in their list of the top 50 shoegaze albums ever released,[2] and Stereogum included a single from that album, "Until You’re Forever" in their list of 31 essential shoegaze tracks.[3] The Veldt's sound also inspired future alternative artists, including TV On the Radio and Bloc Party,[8] and are regarded as an influence on the sound of 21st century Alternative R&B chart topping artists.[4][5]

Discography

Albums

  • Afrodisiac (1994)
  • Love At First Hate (1998)
  • White Music For Black People (2007) – as Apollo Heights
  • Sad Cabaret Reverie (2011) - as Apollo Heights
  • Entropy Is The Mainline To God (2022)

EPs

  • Marigolds (1992)
  • Universe Boat (1996)
  • The Shocking Fuzz Of Your Electric Fur - The Drake Equation (2017)

Singles

  • "CCCP" (1992)
  • "Soul In A Jar" (1993)
  • "Symmetry" (2017)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kellman, Andy. "The Veldt - Biography". All Music Guide. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "The 50 Best Shoegaze Albums Of All Time". Pitchfork. Conde Nast. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Schonfeld, Zack (14 June 2017). "31 Essential Shoegaze Tracks". Stereogum. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Elliot, Griffin (11 May 2016). "White Music For Black People". VICE. VICE Media. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Doherty, Mike (5 February 2016). "The Veldt: Pioneering Black Shoegazers Who Anticipated The Weeknd". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  6. 1 2 Mason, Rachel (June 2017). "The Veldt's Sonic Revolution". The Huffington Post. BuzzFeed. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  7. 1 2 Scott-Bates, Paul (June 2017). "Watch This! The Veldt Premier The Shocking Fuzz Of Your Electric Fur". Louder Than War. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  8. 1 2 Helms, William Ruben (June 2017). "JOVM Mainstays The Veldt Return With Hallicinogenic Sounds & Visuals For "One Day Out Of Life"". The Joy Of Violent Movement. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
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