A Quick Chat With Deja Vega
Deja Vega enjoyed their breakthrough year in 2019, selling out three headline shows, each at larger venues. The band played over sixty shows last year supporting likes of The Blinders, Futureheads and YAK as well as releasing and selling out their debut album on vinyl in less than two weeks. Jack, Tom and Mike crash and weave together creating a pulsating, driving behemoth of original, powerful, psych rock. They have created a notoriety for their incredible, energetic, unrivalled live show, and are fast becoming a must see act on the Manchester music circuit and beyond. We caught up with the band to chat about their new release 'Who We Are'...
Your latest release ‘Who We Are’ has been described as a “a tale of not giving up, self belief, and unity in times of despair.” Can you tell us a bit about the song?
The influence for the song came from past experiences with the band. From being promised the world and nothing coming from it. It was our self belief that gave us the get up and go and to tell ourselves not to stop because we love it and that what it’s all about.
You released and sold your debut album on vinyl in less than two weeks last year. How did that feel and do you think the next one will be received in the same way?
It felt amazing, considering we were never gonna release the album and deconstruct it in to a series of singles and EP’s. The reception has been amazing and seeing what the public say about it is class.
Does it mean more to you that it sold out on vinyl rather than digital sales?
I’d say it does yeah, because from buying records ourselves it’s always been a dream to have our music on vinyl and the fact that people want it makes you feel proud. It’s in high demand for a repress so it’s all a bit overwhelming.
You played over 60 shows in 2019 across the country alongside the likes of The Blinders, YAK and Futureheads. Which was your favourite and are there any stand-out tales from your time on the road?
Our favourite shows from last year we’re supporting the Futureheads at the Ritz and the Wonder Stuff at the engine rooms in Southampton. It was amazing to play alongside the Futureheads because we grew up listening to that first album in particular and we’re still big fans of them, and playing the Ritz. It’s a venue you dream of playing because you’ve seen so many bands there. And for the Wonder Stuff show, we got an amazing reception. Haha there’s one story from Southampton, we got talking to one of the bar staff and he told us he just did the bar work to get him out the house and that his actual job was working with dangerous and poisonous animals. This soon came around to him showing us his collection of snakes. He owns 75 snakes and 20 tarantulas. He also told us that his chat-up line is “would you like to see my trouser snake?” Which resorted to him showing a picture of a snake coming out of jeans zipper...
Can you tell us your thoughts on being part of the new wave of up and coming bands? How do you think the ‘grind’ for musicians has changed, if at all?
It feels really good and it’s great seeing people coming to the gigs and telling you how much they love the album. I feel like it has changed, it’s not like the 90s where bands got picked up left, right and centre. There’s more of a graft to it now and with hard work it will pay off.
Will we be hearing more material from Deja Vega any time soon, and do you plan on playing more gigs than last year?
Yes, we have plans for two more singles and the second album is nearly finished. We have a few things in the pipeline for around April and May, and a big UK tour in October
