Artist Watch: Vera Mesmer

I was approached on MySpace by yet another artist - Vera Mesmer of the Boston area.

Self-described as "Rock / Pop / Alternative," Mesmer provides an arrary of what I might describe as "dark pop" songs.

Purpose keeps toes tapping. The song is essentially about a friends with benefits-type person (although, probably more along the lines of a "no strings attached" deal, with less friendship), asking the question, "Do you serve a purpose, do you?" The main guitar riff is fun, like I said, it keeps your toes tapping. The chorus shifts, but the beat is still the same.

I'd like to say here and now, that I LOVE You and I. First off, it's pretty. It enters with a single line of piano, after which it's repeated with piano, drums and strings (and I think that everyone knows that strings make a song about ten times prettier. ... except in the case of the version of Hey There, Delilah, by the Plain White Ts that they play on the radio, because acoustic guitar is completely good on it's own and the strings just stand out in a not so good way. ANYWAY...). It might just be me, but I completely related to this song, and I think a lot of others would, too. It's essentially about having to grow up and being afraid about it.

Room With a View was the first song I heard when I approached is site. Immediately I was turned on but the piano, of course. This song absolutely reminds me of Silverchair. Lyrically, the song is pretty cryptic. The piano isn't quite music-box-esque, but they've got a tone I've got yet to describe. The guitars are empowering, not overpowering, and the vocal harmonies aren't quite haunting, but the almost drone-like lower line adds 10 times of the power to that song.

The final song on his MySpace is Stranger. The riff at the beginning is almost Foo Fighters-eque. Piano cuts through and gives the intro character. The second verse enters with the same piano line from the intro, alone this time. The song keeps jumping, but all the transitions work. The lyrics are a little repetitive. That's what you get with a pop song though.

Vera's voice is really strong. His chest range is relatively large and he can control it. His head voice matches his chest voice and he's really easy to listen to. Like I mentioned before, he's very similar to Daniel Johns. And that's not a bad thing.

Vera's MySpace.

I recommend you stop by.