Scenestar

ARTICLE BY SOPHIA PORTIER
PHOTOS BY MARIBEL DE LA TORRE

SEPT. 20 | ECHO PARK—Latin words pulcher, pulchra and pulchrum mean beautiful, handsome and fine, respectively. London-based The Veils are all of these and more. The band graced the Echoplex stage tonight to the delight of amorous fans as well as casual observers. Lead singer/guitarist Finn Andrews came on in his signature black hat, harkening back to a sophisticated, lovelier time. They opened their set with new song “Scarecrow,” which slid gently along like the most perfect accompaniment to autumnal nights. They went on to play a few beloved favorites, including “Advice for Young Mothers to Be,” in which Finn sings, “You’ll never find the words, darling believe me.” Oh but he does, and what makes this band so special is that fans are able to find a piece of themselves in their highly exuberant music.

The crowd was treated to a couple of brand new songs, which played like an intimate feast to near-anorexic ears. In fact, the entire set was rousing and rollicking, especially during “Jesus for the Jugular,” when Veils’ blond-haired drummer Henning Dietz provided an exquisite backbone to Finn’s well-wrought, wistful lyrics. Their set was wholly cathartic; it is a rare sight to see a vocalist so inflicted by emotion. The audience seemed touched that night, moved by Finn’s ecstatic, almost unnerving performance. Bassist Sophia Burn and guitarist Dan Raishbrook flanked Finn, perfectly matching the passionate punctuation of his exquisite vocal delivery.

Despite the brevity of their set, the Veils did give us their all. Finn’s adorable mannerisms between songs had some of us in the audience positively gushing and the rest of the band’s lively dynamics had us all yearning for more.

This is a band that should be more well-known and admired than they are. The Veils are equipped with songs that tell stories, reaching out to resonate with the listener’s own life. These are the kind of songs that are brimming with strong melodies and bitingly truthful lyrics. Finn’s vocals can both stir you to your bone and melt you to your core. With a sneer and a distinctly British rasp, many will find themselves falling for Finn and his voice.

Note: Check for The Veils on tour early next year in support of their upcoming album, which, by the sample of new tracks performed tonight, should be bloody smashing.