After a run of near-perfect singles in the 10’s, Vida looked set for a big breakthrough. Then, in 2019 Jamie Pollack (guitar/vocals) and Cragi Scobbie (bass) left the band leaving a legion of fans heartbroken.
The flame never burnt out for original members Nathan Evans (lead guitar/backing vocals), Jamie Piggott (drums), and Greg Ballantyne (keys) though. They’ve now recruited Colin Davidson (lead vocals/guitar) Jacob Franklyn (guitar/vocals) and Evan Cameron (bass guitar) and release ‘Different Storm’ tomorrow via their label Ward Street Sound. Can they pick up where they left off?
Much like their classics ‘A Place Where We Can Forget’ and Where We Came From’, they open with acoustic and rich West Coast jangling guitars. Only this time, with the band themselves at the mixing desk, conjure a vaster landscape with which to land their dreamy sonic.
Davidson and Evans’ guitars are blessed with the laid-back pop-psyche of DMA’s and the enriching warmth of Andy Miller (Dodgy). They have an innate ability to sound in control of their destiny but feel beautifully directionless. It lends the guitar parts an innocence these testing times is crying out for.
Davidson finds himself in the unfortunate position of having to follow the fine Pollack as the frontman. Where Pollack had edge, Davidson has musicality. At times he has the melodic glow of Nigel Clark and could easily slot into the harmonies of early Teenage Fanclub. Only time will tell if it pays off but the results are here sumptuous.
*banner image courtesy of the band (and made by them).
Vida’s next live show is Easter Sunday. Click the image below for tickets to witness their ascension.
