VASS

Bring your whiskey and your thinking cap. In a world where Alt. Country borders on formulaic, Drew Vass is a good dose of real. The Va.-based songwriter offers an organic formula that's all his own. He has been described as a "living double entendre," and his lyrics have solicited such critical comments as: "Never take anything this man writes at face value. His work always warrants a second glance - preferably over a glass of whiskey." The two sided effect of Vass's lyrics figuratively pla...

Bring your whiskey and your thinking cap. In a world where Alt. Country borders on formulaic, Drew Vass is a good dose of real. The Va.-based songwriter offers an organic formula that's all his own. He has been described as a "living double entendre," and his lyrics have solicited such critical comments as: "Never take anything this man writes at face value. His work always warrants a second glance - preferably over a glass of whiskey." The two sided effect of Vass's lyrics figuratively places Bible and whiskey side by side, and may be inspired by a childhood steeped in individualism, yet drowned in Southern Baptist culture. His father, which he describes as a "tough loving man," taught him to embrace a self-made mode of independence. This lifelong philosophy carried over into Vass's songwriting, as he writes and records the majority of his works in private and on a solo basis. rudimentary, Vass's debut album, includes eleven original tracks, comprised of everything from acoustic guitar, bass and drums, to a vintage Selmer Mark VII saxophone - all played by the songwriter himself. While a modern Gibson L-1 remains his daily axe, he covers an array of musical instruments, predominately on an improvisational basis. Vass's musical experience spans more than 20 years. After an informal start on piano, he turned to saxophone for his formal training of more than a decade, before settling on guitar. Ultimately it was the jazz genre which led him to place his natural talent before technical training. The result is a remarkably unique and smooth blend of instruments, and an unorthodox style that’s filled with unexpected twists and turns. Vass undoes modern formulas, producing a unique strain of country-infused music.