VersaEmerge

The lights are low and you hear some jumping from the stage. Warm ups, no doubt. The sample starts from the sound booth and the lights flicker onto the faces of VersaEmerge. Five figures stand on the stage, drummer Anthony Martone, guitarist Blake Harnage, guitarist Jerry Pierce, bassist Devin Ingelido, and lead vocalist Sierra Kusterbeck. These faces make up the talented VE.

Florida darlings with a twist. When it comes to vocals, melodically, nobody could challenge Sierra and win. She’s small but mighty with the pipes to match. So many people compare her and her band to Hayley Williams and Paramore, but there is honestly no comparison besides the fact that they both have front women and they’re both signed to the same label, FueledByRamen. But this isn’t just another article about the focal point of a band with a female vocalist.

With a voice twice the size of their home state of Florida and a musical similarity to Michigan’s own Chiodos, I can see big things for this newly signed group. Their debut FBR release simply titled “VersaEmerge EP” is a grand, but small, peak inside of what will come. This band has the full potential to reach for things far past what label mates Forgive Durden, Paramore, and Panic at the Disco have achieved.

As for the EP, the only real word I can think of to describe it would be haunting. It starts with a slow, piano/program melody intro titled, “Theatrics,” and goes straight into heavy hitter “The Hider,” which makes you visualize it as a score in a well made horror film. “Past Praying For,” has a creepy vibe to it with a powerfully heavy, yet melodically poppy chorus. “Moments Between Sleep,” is by far my favorite. A danceable creeper that makes your blood boil in overexcitement. If that’s how the recording makes you feel, the live version is just that much better. Added vocals from bassist Jerry Pierce and guitarist Blake Harnage in the song “Whisperer,” make this lovesick, harmonious, soon-to-be FBR classic warm your soul. While writing this I have the EP turned on and playing from my small speakers, I’ve never sat and listened to the EP with full concentration until now and it’s just now that I’ve been able to completely hear all the melodies, harmonies, layers, beats, and riffs to the song, “Clocks,” which is quite possibly the best song on the disc. It truly showcases that this band can go from heavy to ballad in no time and every bit of it rocks.

VersaEmerge is one band out of a scene of generics that you should look out for because they’re coming fast, and if they haven’t already hit you then they soon will. Their music is not something for the faint of heart, it has the potential to knock you on your ass. Please go pick up the EP and look out for their debut album to be released on FueledByRamen Records sometime in the future.

VersaEmerge Myspace

Written By: October Elizabeth