Saints Of Valory

Saints Of Valory is an American alternative rock band from Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Gavin Jasper (lead vocals/bass), Godfrey Thomson (guitar/vocals), Gerard Labou (drums), and Stephen Buckle (keyboards/vocals). The band released their "V" EP on May 19th, 2014, which features the track "Long Time Coming". This was a follow up to the Possibilities EP, which released on July 9, 2013 via Atlantic Records.[1] The debut EP features the single "Neon Eyes".[2]

History

The band was formed in 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before relocating to Austin, Texas in 2010.[3] Their origins are rooted in a childhood friendship between lead vocalist-bassist Gavin Jasper and Thomson, who met in Jasper’s native Rio de Janeiro while their parents were working abroad. Jasper learned to play bass and joined a country-rock band, while Thomson launched his own band. In 2008, many years after their childhood friendship began, Jasper and Thomson reunited in Brazil, with Thomson bringing along his friend Gerard Labou, a young drummer from France. Calling themselves Saints of Valory (an inspired reference to Labou’s mother Valerie), the trio decided to form a band and took to MySpace to post their own tracks, which attracted initial interest from independent labels.[4] Needing a space to rehearse for a showcase, they contacted their friend Stephen Buckle, who had a small studio in his ranch-style home in Boerne, TX. Buckle was born in Greece to an American mother and Canadian father and spent most of his childhood in Thailand and Southeast Asia, but befriended Jasper during a four-year stint in Brazil. In April 2010, he joined the band full-time as a keyboardist.[5]

After self releasing their debut The Bright Lights in November 2010, featuring an early version of their track "Providence". The track entered the top 50 at Triple A radio, making the band the only unsigned artist to reach the upper tier of the chart.[5][6] In May 2012, the band self released their second EP Kids which entered iTunes' Top Rock Albums Chart, selling 1,700 copies in its first week.[5]

Throughout 2011 the band performed at SXSW, CMJ, and DeLuna Festival, helping the band establish a national fanbase.[7]

Atlantic Records, Possibilities EP

After being named one of Billboard's Top Unsigned Artists in 2012[8] the band announced their signing to Atlantic Records.[9][10] The band's label debut Possibilities EP featuring the single "Neon Eyes" was released July 9, 2013 and was produced by Joe Chiccarelli and Saints of Valory.[11]

Neon Eyes

On July 24, 2013 the band premiered the music video for the single "Neon Eyes" on Billboard.[12] The video was also featured on MTV's Buzzworthy.[13] The track has been put into rotation by radio stations across the US including KTCL[14] and KBCO Denver,[15] Q101 Chicago,[16] KROX Austin,[17] KRBZ Kansas City,[18] KINK Portland,[19] KTCZ Minneapolis [20] and more.

References

  1. ↑ "Music Free-For-All". AlternativeAddiction.com. 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  2. ↑ "Saints Of Valory’s "Royals" (Lorde Cover): Idolator Premiere". http://idolator.com. 2012-08-08. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  3. ↑ "Saints of Valory to open for Mumford and Sons". http://vivogig.com. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  4. ↑ August 2, 2013 (2013-04-19). "Meet Saints of Valory - Iowa State Daily: Campus Music". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 July 9, 2012 (2012-07-09). "Exclusive: Saints of Valory Untold Story". Austinot.com. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  6. ↑ "Saints of Valory". Schedule.sxsw.com. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  7. ↑ "Saints of Valory: Battle of the Bands 2012 Southwest". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  8. ↑ "Saints of Valory | New Music And Songs". MTV. 2013-07-14. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  9. ↑ "Saints of Valory signs to Atlantic Records | Kings of A&R". Kingsofar.com. 2012-12-06. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  10. ↑ "Saints of Valory - Artists". Atlantic Records. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  11. ↑ "Saints of Valory hits Bogart’s on Thursday!". CincyMusic.com. 2013-07-16. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  12. ↑ "Saints of Valory, 'Neon Eyes': Exclusive Video Premiere". Billboard. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  13. ↑ "Video Premiere: Saints of Valory, 'Neon Eyes' (Lyric Video)". MTV. 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  14. ↑ "Mediabase 24/7 - KTCL-FM Station Playlist Request:". 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  15. ↑ "Playlist:". 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  16. ↑ "Add Board:". 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  17. ↑ "Mediabase 24/7 - KROX-FM Station Playlist Request:". 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  18. ↑ "On Air Playlist -- 96.5 The Buzz (krbz)". 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  19. ↑ "On Air Playlist -- 101.9 kink.fm (kink))". 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  20. ↑ "Mediabase 24/7 - KTCZ-FM Station Playlist Request:". 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2013-09-05.