Biography
Vedera emerged as a Kansas City, Missouri-based indie rock quartet whose sound combined aggression, atmosphere, and emotional intensity. Kristen May, who handled vocals and guitar, had previously collaborated with lead guitarist Brian Little in Red Authentic; after that ensemble disbanded in spring 2004, the pair recruited bassist Jason Douglas and drummer Drew Little—Brian’s younger brother, still attending high school at the time of the band’s inception. Initially called Veda, the group drew its name partly from the Hindu term “Vedha,” signifying sacred writings, and partly from the character Vada portrayed by Anna Chlumsky in the 1991 film My Girl. The quartet entered the studio almost immediately and issued its debut EP, This Broken City, through the Kansas City independent imprint Second Nature Recordings. Veda soon secured opening slots on tours with Mute Math and Owen, and also shared bills with Underoath, Thrice, and Communiqué.
In 2006 the band delivered its first full-length effort, The Weight of an Empty Room, only to alter its moniker from Veda to Vedera shortly afterward in order to sidestep potential litigation from another act sharing a similar name. Vedera moved quickly to solidify the revised identity, re-releasing The Weight of an Empty Room and maintaining an active touring schedule in the months that followed, highlighted by a co-headlining run with Dear and the Headlights. Early in 2007 the group disclosed intentions to record a sophomore album that summer, a project slated as its inaugural release on Epic Records. The resulting album, Stages, appeared as a digital edition in October 2009, bringing wider visibility through an appearance on the MTV series The Hills and a slot on the revived Lilith Fair tour; its physical edition reached stores in February 2010.
In 2006 the band delivered its first full-length effort, The Weight of an Empty Room, only to alter its moniker from Veda to Vedera shortly afterward in order to sidestep potential litigation from another act sharing a similar name. Vedera moved quickly to solidify the revised identity, re-releasing The Weight of an Empty Room and maintaining an active touring schedule in the months that followed, highlighted by a co-headlining run with Dear and the Headlights. Early in 2007 the group disclosed intentions to record a sophomore album that summer, a project slated as its inaugural release on Epic Records. The resulting album, Stages, appeared as a digital edition in October 2009, bringing wider visibility through an appearance on the MTV series The Hills and a slot on the revived Lilith Fair tour; its physical edition reached stores in February 2010.
Albums
