01Profile
A Theo Verney Photo
Theo Verney
Musician — Brighton
03Interview
Photo: Alex Parish
Name, where are you from?
Theo Verney, from Brighton, England.
Describe your style in three words?
Simple, Classic and Comfort.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Neil Young at the 02 Arena. He opened with After The Gold Rush, and I instantly started crying.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I would love to have played on one of the Stiff Records tours with Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe. I love how both of them combine flawless songwriting with a rowdy live show.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
I think the 70s singer-songwriter culture has massively influenced me in recent years. It got me thinking about higher quality recordings, top session players and well-crafted songs.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd love to spend some time with Glyn Johns, he seems very opinionated.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Definitely Uebel & Gefährlich in Hamburg. It's an old Nazi bunker which they have turned into an incredible venue. A good transformation I would say.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Gene Clark, the fact that "No Other” was a flop at the time is tragic. I recommend anyone to watch the documentary on him.
Theo Verney is a multi-instrumentalist and producer based in Brighton. Having taken a break from touring in order to concentrate on recording other artists, Theo now returns with his new single 'Easy Street'. His 2017 album, 'One Small Piece', received praise from the across the music press. With his latest recordings, Theo’s style of music has evolved into something more playful through his writing and recording.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'You Can Get It If You Really Want' by Jimmy Cliff.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Hits From The Bong' by Cypress Hill.
One record you would keep forever?
'After The Gold Rush' by Neil Young.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"if I was a saint with a silver cup
And the money got low, we could always heat it up
Or trade it in”
Blame it On Cain by Elvis Costello.
Costello has inspired me to be a bit more playful with music and not to take it too seriously.
A song you wished you had written?
'Peaches En Regalia' by Frank Zappa.
One day I’m going to try and write an instrumental album, but it won’t be as good as this.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Wide Awake' by Parquet Courts.
Gets me going in the morning.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Love Island' by Fatboy Slim.
As a Brightonian I remember the original Beach Boutiques!
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' by Sylvester or any disco of this era.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I haven’t had an all-nighter in years!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
All the ones I’ve been recording recently: FUR, Fake Laugh and Mr Ben & The Bens. Also, Sam Evian's new album is definitely an album of the year for me.
03Interview
Photo: Alex Parish
Name, where are you from?
Theo Verney, from Brighton, England.
Describe your style in three words?
Simple, Classic and Comfort.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Neil Young at the 02 Arena. He opened with After The Gold Rush, and I instantly started crying.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I would love to have played on one of the Stiff Records tours with Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe. I love how both of them combine flawless songwriting with a rowdy live show.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
I think the 70s singer-songwriter culture has massively influenced me in recent years. It got me thinking about higher quality recordings, top session players and well-crafted songs.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd love to spend some time with Glyn Johns, he seems very opinionated.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Definitely Uebel & Gefährlich in Hamburg. It's an old Nazi bunker which they have turned into an incredible venue. A good transformation I would say.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Gene Clark, the fact that "No Other” was a flop at the time is tragic. I recommend anyone to watch the documentary on him.
Theo Verney is a multi-instrumentalist and producer based in Brighton. Having taken a break from touring in order to concentrate on recording other artists, Theo now returns with his new single 'Easy Street'. His 2017 album, 'One Small Piece', received praise from the across the music press. With his latest recordings, Theo’s style of music has evolved into something more playful through his writing and recording.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'You Can Get It If You Really Want' by Jimmy Cliff.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Hits From The Bong' by Cypress Hill.
One record you would keep forever?
'After The Gold Rush' by Neil Young.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"if I was a saint with a silver cup
And the money got low, we could always heat it up
Or trade it in”
Blame it On Cain by Elvis Costello.
Costello has inspired me to be a bit more playful with music and not to take it too seriously.
A song you wished you had written?
'Peaches En Regalia' by Frank Zappa.
One day I’m going to try and write an instrumental album, but it won’t be as good as this.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Wide Awake' by Parquet Courts.
Gets me going in the morning.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Love Island' by Fatboy Slim.
As a Brightonian I remember the original Beach Boutiques!
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' by Sylvester or any disco of this era.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
I haven’t had an all-nighter in years!
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
All the ones I’ve been recording recently: FUR, Fake Laugh and Mr Ben & The Bens. Also, Sam Evian's new album is definitely an album of the year for me.