Velveteen Pink  - James Ferreira

Velveteen Pink is a band that local music enthusiasts need to take notice of. The quartet hails from Gainesville and brandishes a unique style of synth pop, electronic funk and soul. Their shows are a blast, a sound fusion of several types of popular music styles coupled with a band clad in matching jumpsuits. Judging by the turnout they got last time they played in Tampa at Empire on April 19, most of you wouldn’t know any of this.

I’ve spoken with VP’s bass player Tim Deaux several times about his feelings on playing in the Tampa Bay area and what direction his band hopes to take. Their first show in Tampa was at New World Brewery in Ybor City back in March. Unfortunately, a couple unnamed band members made a wrong turn on their way down to Tampa from Gainesville that evening, causing them to run a little late, thus thwarting their plans of getting into costume before the show.  Nonetheless, they were the show stealers on this particular Friday night.  

Their infectious rhythms actually permeated through the crowd enough to induce a very positive reaction, and even some dancing. Tim told me that their first show in Tampa was a good experience and that they had a great time. Unfortunately, their next show in Tampa, which was at Empire, was not as much fun. In fairness, it was on a Wednesday night, and that does make a huge difference, but even still, the turnout was almost as pathetic as the sound in that place.  These are all fixable problems, and Tim knows there are always going to be nights like that.  VP wants to play more shows in Tampa, and local music fans should take note.  This band has a solid following up in Gainesville, they are generating quite a buzz and worth checking out.

Velveteen Pink’s sound carries with it a very positive undertone, this is normally not my cup of tea, but for some reason it works very well. You definitely don’t hear the style of music they are playing very often, if at all any more.  In a popular music culture screaming for something to break the mold while remaining palatable, VP has brought something very exciting to the table.    

Check them out at www.myspace.com/velveteenpink.