The Verigolds

There are a few things to expect from a performance by San Diego’s The Verigolds. First, there’s the vibrant stage lights and dreamy visual graphics. Then there’s the bandmembers wearing flash tattoos and ‘70s-inspired attire. There’s also the crowd: a colorful bunch comprising half hippies and half hipsters.
There’s also a more remote possibility of seeing something a bit more startling, like the sight of drummer Craig Schreiber with his shirt half-ripped and bloody, as was the case at one of their shows a while back.
“[Craig] had smashed so hard on his drums that he smashed his head open and was bleeding all down his chest,” says vocalist, guitarist and violinist Eliot Ross. “His shirt just had blood everywhere.”
For The Verigolds, getting a little wild on stage is all in the spirit of the band. The quartet—Ross, Schreiber, vocalist Jenna Cotton and keyboardist Ben Smedley—emanate brazenness and animation both in their music and live show. It’s not often that this translates into performances like the one at the OB Template, where Schreiber’s intense drumming ended in a busted, bloody face, but every now and then it just might. For the most part though, their shows are more about dazzling their audience with a magnetic presence and their catchy indie pop songs. And so far, it seems to be working.
The last year and a half has seen The Verigolds rise in prominence in San Diego’s music scene. They won Best Indie Album for their debut, For Margaret, at the San Diego Music Awards in March, which caught them by surprise. They recorded the entire album in their garage, which they converted into a recording studio. Though it was their first time recording as a band, the cohesion in the album reveals a certain level of maturity that is surprising for a band still in their relatively early stages.
Yet The Verigolds are in something of a process of evolution. They explain that For Margaret is an accurate snapshot of who they were when they recorded it.
“I could listen to that [album] when I’m like 40 and I would like emotionally feel where I was,” Cotton says.
For Margaret explores the dichotomies of sound and genre, playing between polar opposites and finding balance with contrasting elements: folk and electronic, acoustic and ambient, classic rock and synth-pop. The Verigolds take note from more conventional rock influences—Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Bob Dylan—but also merge that with modern electronica artists such as The xx and Phantogram to build more immediate and eclectic compositions. Moving forward, though, their music will likely reflect something else as they intend to take steps toward a more electronic focused sound.
- See more at: http://sdcitybeat.com/music/music-feature/the-verigolds-show-maturity-and-magnetism-on-stage-and-on-re/#sthash.BWzZoP7I.dpuf - CityBeat (*Cover Story)

The Verigolds are a San Diego quartet whose polished blend of folk, electronic and psychedelic rock has made them a big hit in the 619. Last year the band — Jenna Cotton, Eliot Ross, Ben Smedley and Craig Schreiber — released their San Diego Music Awards-honored full-length “For Margaret,” which ebbs and flows on Cotton’s clarion vocals. Now the foursome has graduated to working in the studio with veteran producer Ed Stasium, whose body of work includes albums by the likes of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Living Colour, Reverend Horton Heat, Hoodoo Gurus, Translator and the Pursuit of Happiness. The new single “Walk on Water” is the first from that collaboration, and Cotton sings it like she can walk on water, as she and her mates exude the resolve of ’90s college rockers (10,000 Maniacs come to mind, only spacier) who can’t wait to get out of the clubs. Stay for Ross’s gritty guitar. - BuzzBands.LA

Psychedelia is a synesthesia of colorful sounds and tasty visions, a perfect recipe of potent flavors that stimulate all of the senses. It is also a vibe that exudes without the use of words, an aesthetic that can transcend through fashion, art, film, music and history. The fusion of psychedelic sensibilities and music has always been a successful union that creates an all-encompassing experience for both creator and listener. The explosion of the transformational music festival scene implements psychedelia into the majority of their design as well as within the artists and patrons who attend. A modern retelling of a bygone era, the psychedelic generation has been reborn.

As a fresh wave of neo-hippies reshape the psychedelic lifestyle, San Diego-based indie band The Verigolds seem to fit the soundtrack of this lifestyle. Jenna Cotton (guitarist, keyboardist, lead vocalist), Eliot Ross (guitarist, strings, vocalist), Ben Smedley (vocalist, keyboardist) and Craig Schreiber (vocalist, drummer) comprise the psychedelic-folk-pop group and have already gained a fan base, especially in their local music scene of San Diego. Dulcet and delicate, their musical chemistry is evocative of the summer of 1967, where love was free, music was religion, and the voices of the counter-culture could no longer be ignored.

Though relatively new to the music scene, The Verigolds are no strangers to live performance and have already filled the air of many different venues with the gossamer vibrations of their music. The foursome has been showcased at San Diego Music Thing in 2014 and have performed on the main stages of Hillcrest City Fest and Pacific Beach Fest. Hopefully they will begin decorating the lineups of more music festivals in the near future.

They recently began receiving weekly radio play on various stations such as FM949 and 91X, widening their exposure to new audiences. Constantly honing in on their stage presence, they have also performed at some of San Diego's most popular venues for music such as Belly Up, Casbah, Soda Bar, Music Box and House of Blues as well as having opened for touring acts that include Hey Rosetta!, Magic Giant and Dick Diver & Mother Mother.

Mixing elements from indie rock, pop, folk, psychedelic, and alternative rock, The Verigolds are a modern blend of timeless sounds. Cotton's ethereal vocals paired with sunny instrumentals paint a Technicolor image of their home in the hippie paradise of Ocean Beach. Anthemic and evocative, Ross' cascading guitar, Smedley's flowing keys, and Schreiber's groovy percussion all meld together harmoniously creating their signature sound. Oozing with originality, their music creates a sonic landscape that lovers of all genres can traverse.

Their newest single "Crossfire" which was released with a music video that was shot at Black's Beach in La Jolla, encapsulates the perfect combination of psychedelic rock, rolling basslines, synth sounds and melody. It also showcases their personalities on a more personal level than live performance or listening to their music alone can elicit. Adorned in glitter, flowing textiles and metallic Flash Tattoos, the "Crossfire" video is like wandering into a lysergic dream populated by mystic musicians, melting sand, and levitating stones. While the music and the beauty of the beach landscape dominates the video, mild trips into psychedelia keep it interesting. - The Huffington Post

Having formed in 2014, the Verigolds are fairly new to the San Diego music scene. But the Pacific Beach foursome, known for their pastiche of ‘60s psychedelic rock and spacey synths, have made an impact in the past three years.

The indie rockers — Jenna Cotton (guitarist, keyboardist, lead vocalist), Eliot Ross (guitarist, strings, vocalist), Ben Smedley (vocalist, keyboardist) and Craig Schreiber (vocalist, drummer) — released their first single, “Crossfire,” in 2015 and soon followed with a trippy video filmed at Black’s Beach.

Last year, they introduced their nine-song debut album, For Margaret. Drawing inspiration from the classic (the Beatles, Pink Floyd) to the contemporary (the XX, Phantogram), the Verigolds appealed to both new fans and critics, with SoundDiego recognizing Margaret as 2016’s Album of the Year and praising it as “a Technicolor journey that’s nearly impossible not to get lost in.”

The band also landed some high-profile gigs, including a stint at Kaaboo, and last month they returned to the podium, this time at the San Diego Music Awards, to accept the trophy for Best Indie/Rock Album.

Looking forward to shows at Soda Bar on April 29 and Oysterfest on June 9, Cotton opened up about how they coaxed Schreiber into joining the band and made clear what she didn’t want to share. - San Diego Reader

Day two of KAABOO features heavy hitters like Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, and Flo Rida. The heavy hitters are garnering much of the attention, but, there are some great musicians and bands playing that maybe you have never heard of before. Fortunately, we have the inside skinny on some of the top acts that may fly under the radar. Here are the five music acts that you shouldn't miss if you are attending day 2 of KAABOO. - AXS

This road trip along the Pacific coast offers epic views, delicious fried treats, and the chance to unwind to our perfect Southern California playlist.

PLAYLIST
These contemporary artists and their tunes represent that smooth Southern California sound. Put this playlist on as you cover ground, and pump up the noise.

“Fanfare” - The Verigolds
“LSD” - The Gloomies
“Down the Line” - The Donkeys
“Lose Yourself” - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
“The World Ender” - Lord Huron
“Thieves & Kings” - The Peach Kings
“Love Test” - The Growlers
“Save a Prayer” - Eagles of Death Metal
“Don’t Wanna Be Anywhere” - La Luz
“Lose Your Mind” - So Many Wizards
“Personal” - Matthew Logan Vasquez
“Worship the Sun” - Allah-Las - National Geographic

Best Indie/Alternative Album
The Verigolds - “For Margaret” - San Diego Music Awards 2017

The Verigolds are an indie, psychedelic rock band hailing from San Diego, CA. They have been gaining a lot of traction in the SoCal music scene and it’s no mystery why, they have plenty of talent. We sat down to learn a little more about them and their journey so far. - Songtradr

Album of the Year:"For Margaret," by the Verigolds. Who hasn't jumped on this PB foursome's psychedelic bandwagon? No other local album received anywhere close to the number of votes "For Margaret" got in this category despite some staunch competition (cough, Trouble in the Wind, cough). Perhaps SoundDiego associate editor Dustin Lothspeich said it best back in July when he wrote: "On 'For Margaret,' the band takes majestic strides across blissed-out psychedelic landscapes -- in turn fusing the best parts of rock, pop, chillwave and subtle electro together for a Technicolor journey that's nearly impossible not to get lost in." The voters have spoken and "Margaret" takes home the trophy.

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/sounddiego/The-2016-SoundDiego-Music-Awards-405692155.html#ixzz4SkeEnoyJ
Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook - NBC SoundDiego

When it comes to local stages, few have brighter lights than the ones at Kaaboo Del Mar. The mega three-day music/arts festival, now in its second year, offers vast crowds and even bigger bands -- and it's a place where a select few San Diego acts have been handpicked to join in on the action. Some might call it the chance of a lifetime. Ocean Beach psych-pop band the Verigolds, who recently won a battle of the bands contest to perform at the fest, agree.
"Oh definitely," the band's singer/keyboardist Jenna Cotton told me over the phone. "We all get three-day artist passes, so we get to go behind the scenes the whole time and that's huge for us. There's so many people there, as well as industry people, and we're really excited about that. We're at that stage in our career where we're looking for that support, pushing things to the next level and trying to get outside of San Diego."

Kaaboo has made a habit of booking several local bands at each its two iterations thus far. Last year, Switchfoot, Tribal Seeds, Slightly Stoopid, the Burning of Rome, the Midnight Pine and more were tapped. For 2016, they've hit up Steve Poltz, Steeviewild, Barley, Almost Monday, and Nancarrow -- as well as seven other locals yet to be announced.
In addition to all that, the fest hosts the "Discovery Tour" each year, which are battle of the bands-esque shows hosted in conjunction with the music networking app GigTown [check out our profile on GigTown here] at various venues in town with local acts -- all of them vying for a spot on the massive three-day lineup. This year's winners include Aquile, Bang Pow, and of course, the Verigolds.
"GigTown gave us that awesome opportunity to be involved and really made that whole thing happen," Cotton told me. "Andy [Altman, co-founder] from GigTown, he's the one who really put it together for us and he's helped us get some really epic shows."
Not only will local bands get to rub elbows with their some huge marquee music names (and their management teams), being able to put "played Kaaboo Del Mar" on an electronic press kit, or in a band biography could do wonders for booking tours, getting blog/publication coverage, and spreading the good word about their music. In other words, it's an impressive tidbit to drop and a certain conversation starter. After all, how many local bands can say they've played San Diego's biggest music festival with Aerosmith, Fall Out Boy or Cold War Kids? As we talked about it, Cotton gushed about seeing her teenage idol Gwen Stefani and No Doubt perform at 2015's Kaaboo.

"Last year, the highlight for me was seeing No Doubt. [Stefani] was mind-blowing, just totally amazing. I grew up listening to her. Her songs seem way deeper to me now, and her energy is so inspiring ... She was an animal. She was crawling up into the rafters and the security guards were freaking out."
And this year? Who is she looking forward to seeing after her band (which also includes guitarist/vocalist Eliot Ross, drummer Craig Schreiber, and keyboardist Ben Smedley) is finished playing on Saturday, Sept. 17?

"Lenny Kravitz for sure," she said. "Oh, and the Shelters. They're one of our favorite LA bands. Me and Ben went to see them at the Hideout a while ago and met those guys. Tom Petty produced their album, and they're totally blowing up now! It's so exciting."
Unsurprisingly, Cotton and her bandmates don't seem like they'll be too phased by the festival's bright lights.

"We like the bigger stages," she said. "It all depends on the vibe of the show. We are striving to play festivals. That’s our goal."

As much as I could wax poetic about how eclectic and psychedelically infectious their music is, Cotton explained why they're the perfect fit for Kaaboo's grand expanse, outdoor revelry and sunny disposition.
"I think [people will appreciate] the fusion of our music. It’s kind of got a nice blend of different things. You know, the boys grew up on '70s rock so we have that vibe going on, and I bring my inner '80s child to it and that comes out and we bring it all together for that electronic, more synthy rock vibe. That fusion makes people want to dance and have fun."


Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/sounddiego/Kaaboos-Hometown-Haul-390724601.html#ixzz4NYTKurA5
Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook - NBC SoundDiego

San Diego indie band The Verigolds, who we originally featured last spring for the fantastic single, “Grunge,” have released their debut album, For Margaret, funded by Kickstarter. And we can see why there is excitement among their fans and followers. Songs like the infectious single, “Gloom,” make it a debut the band members can be proud of. - Indie Rock Cafe

Ocean Beach has long been known as a musical hotspot, with members of bands ranging from Slightly Stoopid to the Hiroshima Mockingbirds amongst its residents. One of the newer area bands making an impact are The Verigolds. The quartet’s music is hard to pigeonhole, taking in folk and psychedelic influences alongside rock and touches of pop, for songs that can be a kaleidoscope of sound.

Winners of the 2015 NBC Sound Diego Best New Artist Award, the Verigolds released their debut album in March, titled “For Margaret.” Consisting of guitarists Jenna Cotton and Eliot Ross, keyboardist Ben Smedley and drummer Craig Schreiber, it’s a testament to the group’s talents and growing popularity that they were chosen to perform at this year’s KAABOO festival 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 on the Tourmaline Stage.

The band was formed in 2014, though Ross and Smedley have been making music together since childhood. “Eliot and Ben grew up in Ocean Beach and the band formed behind Noodle House, so we consider ourselves more a part of the OB community than the other boroughs of San Diego,” said Schreiber. “OB has got a trippy personality that I think all of us somewhat connect with. (It’s) this relaxed, mostly-positive, friendly vibe that keeps us both grounded and soaring through the clouds of creativity when the time is ripe. We play at Winston’s and The Holding Company (THC), which is the former Gallagher's spot, often.”


According to Schreiber, there is no clear reason the band is called The Verigolds. “The genesis of the name is a bit of a mystery to all of us,” he said “I surmise it comes from the cosmic kinship between Eliot and Ben. It rhymes with ‘marigolds’ and we are all sorta flower children so that makes us want to dance, smile and spread the love!”

The group’s focus is solely on their original music. “We had an unspoken rule since the early formation of the band that we would not play covers and instead focus on creating something more personal and original to us,” Schreiber said. “Our songs are a group effort and often result from the four of us finding a groove or energy that feels right and then we let it develop.”

Schreiber is looking forward to his band’s festival debut. “KAABOO is a massive deal to us,” he said. “We really owe (local live music app) GigTown and their Discovery Tour for giving us the opportunity to perform among giants in music,” Schreiber remarked. While this is Schreiber’s first time performing at KAABOO, he did make an indirect appearance at last year’s edition.

“One time, while playing at The Template in OB,” Schreiber recalled. “I sliced my forehead open during the set and played through the songs as a rouge waterfall was cascading over my eyes. People we're staring in shock, I finished the last song, got bandaged up and our visual siren Celeste Byers painted it (celestebyers.com/CRAIG) and it was showcased at last year's KAABOO. Full circle, I guess,” he said.

The band is planning on taking things to the next level with increased touring and recording. “We are in talks with management at the moment to help with the business side so that we can focus even more energy on the music,” Schreiber said. “Focusing on the songs and vibrations that we are creating together and experiencing them collectively with our fans is what keeps our mojo rising in the obstacles that come when music and business are mixed together.”

While Schreiber is pleased that The Verigolds are doing well, he’s happy just to be making music with friends. “(It’s great) having an excuse to get into a groovy garage twice a week, create new sounds with best friends and then share the energy with our audience,” he said.

Read more: San Diego Community News Group - Ocean Beach s The Verigolds to perform at KAABOO - San Diego Community News

Listen to Marty's interview with The Verigolds - Rock 1053 FM

Positive vibes and a deep curiosity for exploring new, unique musical horizons are top priorities for musicians Jenna Cotton, Eliot Ross, Ben Smedley and Craig Schreiber, aka, The Verigolds. The San Diego-based band recently released their debut album and are about to play at The Casbah after four years of finding their sound.

Jenna and Craig recently sat down with DiscoverSD to talk about the process of creating music, their local music community and future plans as they steadily and successfully rise up in San Diego.

Q: How did you guys get started in San Diego?

JC: I’m from Florida originally. When I moved here, I met the guys at OB Noodle House. Eliot worked there and so did Ben. I ended up going to OB Noodle House all the time, and I always knew they wanted to play music. I knew they played guitar. They started living in this place we called "box" behind the noodle house. One night I went over there, and I used to totally have stage fright. Only certain people in Florida knew I could even sing. They kind of made me do it and I did. Our girlfriend Celeste was having her first art show in San Diego and she asked Eliot and Ben to play music at it, and Eliot immediately called me. Since then, it hasn’t stopped.

Q: What was it like releasing your debut album this year?

JC: It was really cool because we recorded it ourselves with the help of others. We recorded it at our house where we have a recording studio. It was really awesome because we learned how to record ourselves and got a lot of good stuff from that. It’s been great because we have gotten the confidence to know how to build things from the bones up. It’s a difficult thing when you go into a studio and they don’t know your music and you’re trying to tell them what you want. You gotta know how to explain it.

Q: Did that album help grow you musically, too?

JC: Yeah, it’s kind of an eclectic journey, our music. Hitting all the genres, you know? You got some ‘70s vibes in there and my weird ‘80s-inner-Madonna-child coming out with synth beats. It’s kind of all over the place. There’s even folk too. We all love good energy and positive vibes.

CS: We are a band that really likes that ‘60s and ‘70s stuff, but we also fuse what’s going on in the festival circuit with like CRSSD Festival. Jenna goes there and it’s all DJs, but that electronic vibe and how they can translate that is cool. We focused on balancing those sounds with ours and not making it a too mainstream, indie-pop thing.

JC: Our whole band was raised on classic rock; it’s our bread. That is really ingrained in all of us, like Pink Floyd — huge influence on us. If any of our stuff sounds like Pink Floyd then we are very, very happy. I also love epic female vocals with groovy beats. Those two vibes mixed are kind of what I want. Our music isn’t following anyone else right now and nothing is the same from song to song.

Q: Where do you see The Verigolds going long-term?

JC: Right now we are playing a bunch of L.A. shows and are planning a tour for the end of the year. From here on out, we will probably have another EP released pretty soon. Those are kind of the three things we are focused on now. The number one reason why music is such a fitting thing in my life is that I love to travel, it’s kind of my addiction, and I thrive off of it. The goal would be to travel.

CS: We all have our jobs and our hustles, but we want to travel and play.

Q: What local bands do you like in San Diego?

JC: Bands that I like to hang out with are Creature and the Woods. They are amazing musicians. I love Dani Bell & The Tarantist, she’s a cool cat and shes weird. I’m into it.

CS: I love the Lulls, I’ve seen them at Soda [Bar] and just love it.

Q: Who is your ultimate music hero?

JC: Arcade Fire and Pink Floyd. In fact, Arcade Fire changed our album. Eliot and I went to Coachella three years ago and saw Arcade Fire and I cried. It was the first time that music has actually broken my aura, like it burst and I was so happy because I felt so much. It was the most beautiful thing I have seen performance-wise.

Q: Do you feel like the San Diego music community has supported you through your album and shows?

JC: Oh yes, definitely. 91X’s Tim Pyles is awesome. SoundDiego is awesome. Even all the bookers for all the local venues are great and have totally supported us. We are playing Casbah on a Friday night and Soda Bar on a Saturday night. It’s nice to randomly become musicians in San Diego because it’s like a little baby. L.A. is overwhelming, and San Diego is one of the best places to start a band because it’s small enough, but big enough.

CS: Every day my mantra has been, it’s a small pond.

JC: That’s your mantra?

CS: Yeah! You gotta keep your ego in check. This is a small pond. You know that you’re only good in San Diego, type of thing. Even if you’re better, just remember you’re still in a small pond.

Upcoming Verigolds shows:

Friday, May 13 at The Casbah

Saturday, May 21 at SDCCU Festival of Arts in North Park

Saturday, May 21 at Harrah’s Resort Southern California - DiscoverSD

An Ocean Beach based band, The Verigolds, will be performing at Kaaboo Del Mar this coming Saturday Sept. 17th. The Verigolds will now be able to say they’ve played San Diego’s biggest music festival along with Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Cold War Kids, Fall Out Boy, Third Eye Blind, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffett and more.

The Verigolds story as a band begins in Ocean Beach.

Noodle House on Cable Street is a part of the story. Silver Gate Elementary School, Point Loma High School, and High Tech High are also a part. A tiny studio apartment behind Noodle House is a part of the story. And a gig at an art show hosted by OB artist Celeste Byers on Voltaire Street a few years back is a part of the story. That was a pivotal night when the band went from 2 members to 3, and the band started to take its current shape and things started to get more serious.

This story starts in OB and quite likely will unfold to be a global story. A world wide tour, manager, record deal — the dream of a young band coming true. That dream is getting closer to a reality as the band prepares to take the stage at Kaaboo.

The band is just a few years old. With long time friends and musicians Ben Smedley and Eliot Ross teaming up with Jenna Cotton and Craig Schreiber in 2012.

And their accolades are already accumulating:

2015 SoundDiego Music Award for Best New Artist
2016 Kaaboo Discovery Tour Winner
This will be the second year of Kaaboo Del Mar, San Diego’s biggest music and arts festival, held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (dates this year are Fri Sept. 16 – Sun Sept 18). After winning 1 of 3 spots for local music on the Kaaboo Discovery Tour, The Verigolds will perform at Kaaboo on Sept. 17, from 1-1:30 pm, on the Tourmaline Stage.

The Kaaboo Discovery Tour, presented in partnership with the live music booking app GigTown, had battle of the bands style competitions starting in June. Hundreds of bands and solo artists submitted for the chance to compete for 3 spots for local music at Kaaboo. Some might call this “the chance of a lifetime.”

This chance to perform at Kaaboo comes after The Verigolds have taken the local music scene by storm.

After showcasing at the San Diego Music Thing in late 2014, The Verigolds have closed out all of the rock radio stations in San Diego (91x, FM949, and Rock1053) and played on Laguna Beach KX 93.5.

They have also performed at San Diego’s premiere venues — Belly Up, Casbah, Soda Bar, Music Box and House of Blues — and opened for national/global touring acts including Finish Ticket, The Boxer Rebellion, PHASES, Hey Rosetta!, Andrew Belle, Magic Giant, Dick Diver, Mother Mother, The Young Wild, and Emily Jane White. And they have also performed on the main stage of Hillcrest Cityfest 2015 and Pacific Beachfest 2015.

Let’s meet the band!

Band Members:

Jenna Cotton — guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist
Eliot Ross — guitar, strings, vocalist
Craig Schreiber — vocalist, drummer
Ben Smedley — backup vocalist, keyboardist
Eliot Ross and Ben Smedley, native OBceans, met in the 2nd grade at Silver Gate Elementary School. Ms. West’s class. They have been best friends ever since and interested in music ever since then too. Ben’s first instrument in 4th grade was saxophone. Eliot’s first instrument in 4th grade was violin.

They received music lessons through school and then received private lessons through their families. And the two picked up acoustic guitar in high school (since that was the more “sexy” instrument to play).

After Silver Gate, Correia for junior high. And then Eliot went to High Tech High and Ben went to PLHS. Ben was in the San Diego Honor Band, and also a part of the legendary senior Zeiger show at PLHS, and Eliot was in the San Diego Youth Symphony.

But the two weren’t apart for long — they reconnected and both attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for college. Ben left after 1 year at Cal Poly, and Eliot graduated with a major in Business and a minor in Music. When Eliot finished at Cal Poly in 2010, his plan was to pursue music. He and Ben worked at Noodle House and rented a tiny studio right behind Noodle House and Lucy’s.

That tiny studio they fondly refer to as “The Box” or “Man Camp.” They recall it was about 25 feet by 25 feet in size. At one point Eliot purchased a drum set. And they slept in sleeping bags under the drum set and keyboard. That studio is now home to many memories for these young musicians.

Despite cramped quarters — life was good. Work was a short commute (steps away). Food was good — Noodle House, Hungry Lu’s, People’s up the street. The beach was just a couple of blocks away. They had a cat and 2 turtles. And they were pursuing their dream of being musicians.

While working at Noodle House as waiters and bartenders, Ben and Eliot met Jenna Cotton. She and her friend were regulars at Noodle House. And as is the nature of OBceans, Ben, Eliot, and Jenna became friends.

Jenna is the lone female of the group and brings some femininity to the otherwise all male band. Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, she moved to San Diego to go to acupuncture school. One night she was having a party with some friends and invited Ben and Eliot to come over and play music. As many an OBcean has done — Ben and Eliot didn’t make it out of OB that night.

Some of her friends at the party knew Jenna could play guitar and literally forced her to play that night, in the absence of Ben and Eliot. And in those moments she really felt the music and the euphoria of performing. She had grown up around music, growing up with her dad playing the guitar and singing with him, and then learning to play herself. The guitar she plays now on stage, a Martin HD, was originally her dad’s. It was that night with friends around a camp fire that she ventured center stage with her sweet and ethereal voice.

A couple days later after a few drinks at Noodle House it came up with Eliot and Ben that she could sing, and she played a song for them (which at the time took a lot of courage for Jenna because the guys had always talked about wanting to be in a band).

A couple of days later, Ben and Eliot suggested she sing with them at a gig they had coming up. That gig was at an art show hosted by Celeste Byers at Greg’s Surf and Art on Voltaire. That was Dec 19th, 2012. And the rest is history. As Jenna reflects, “It hasn’t stopped for a minute since then.” The show with the three of them went amazingly. From that point on Jenna became a part of the band. And then Jenna’s friend and roommate Craig Schreiber joined the band.

How did Jenna know Craig? They were roommates in a house in Crown Point where Jenna had rented a room (from a Craigslist ad) and she and Craig had bonded over music from the get go. Craig had been living at the house for some time as a student at UCSD. Craig, as do all the band members, has a long history with music. He started on stand up base in middle school, played tenor sax in his high school marching band, and was with a progressive rock band in his college days too. He moved from the San Fernando Valley to attend UCSD, where he, like Eliot, majored in Business and minored in Music (UCSD, class of 2006). Jenna and Craig bonded over music while getting to know each other as roommates, and shortly after Jenna partnered up with Eliot and Ben, Craig joined the band on drums.

Practices for the four of them occurred regularly at “The Box.” They had a weekly, consistent schedule. They were driven and disciplined, and they started to flourish creatively and play at more and more venues. Their infectious and unique blend of indie rock, pop, folk, psychedelic, and alternative rock blossomed out of “The Box” and is a blend of all of their musical talents and histories.

Ben and Eliot have since moved out of “The Box” and moved into the Crown Point house with Jenna and Craig. The band lives together and works together. They are all vegetarians. And they practice in a converted garage space behind the house.

Every corner of their house and practice space exudes the eclectic, dreamy, hippie vibe that comes out in their music. Bohemian fabrics and retro furniture. In the front yard is a “teleporter” made by Celeste Byers. It is a teepee shaped figure made from expanding epoxy and was made as an art installation for the music and art festival, Desert Daze. You can climb inside the “teleporter” and lounge on blankets and pillows. It is an ideal setting to meditate or listen to the music of The Verigolds.

Even though Craig and Eliot are focusing on music professionally while working “day jobs,” their business majors have no doubt been helpful and played a role in the band achieving success. They have learned that it takes a lot of work and business skills to succeed as a band. Currently they do all their own bookings, publicity, and PR. Quite possibly exposure at Kaaboo will land them a manager and take the band to the next level.

In answer to the question how did they choose the name The Verigolds?

It’s a secret. And just like the sound of their music there is a sense of mysticism and other worldliness in their secret name. - OB Rag

Meet ListenSD’s newest local music obsession: The Verigolds! This pysch pop quartet is made up of bandmates Jenna Cotton, Craig Schreiber, Eliot Ross and Ben Smedley. Their new album, mysteriously named For Margaret, is dropping very soon! We want to hear it and maybe find out who Margaret is…

ListenSD is joining the band for their album release party March 26 at the Music Box with Swimm, Pearl Charles, and San Diego locals the Gloomies. We can’t WAIT for this show but for now, let’s get to know the Verigolds with this short and sweet interview. - ListenSD

The Verigolds, "For Margaret" (released March 26): We finally got an album from our favorite Ocean Beach bohemians this year and have had it on repeat since it dropped. Even though it's taken a while, the result was very much worth the wait: On "For Margaret," the band takes majestic strides across blissed-out psychedelic soundscapes -- in turn fusing the best parts of rock, pop, chillwave and subtle electro together for a Technicolor journey that's nearly impossible not to get lost in.

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/sounddiego/11-of-SDs-Top-Albums-of-2016So-Far-384894531.html#ixzz4FLurbxOn
Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook - NBC SoundDiego

As 2015 winds down, our brains start wandering, our fingers get fidgety, and our eyes dash here and there -- mainly because we know it’s time to start reflecting on an entire year’s worth of awesome San Diego music for possible inclusion in our annual SoundDiego Music Awards. We’ve developed our own highly technical process of choosing the best of the best when it comes to handing out our (theoretical) awards: We send out the list of categories to our photographers, bloggers and contributors and tally up their nominations. The nominee(s) with the most votes wins. Simple as that. So, without further adieu, feast your eyes and ears upon the 2015 SoundDiego Music Awards.

Best New Artist
The Verigolds
If you were at our June SoundDiego LIVE party at Gallagher's Pub, you understand why the Verigolds are our Best New Artist for 2015. Becoming a hot commodity in the local scene seemingly overnight, this Ocean Beach-based group sheds any and all pretense for supremely positive vibes, psychedelic wonder and indie-pop melodies over subtle electronic undertones. Don those shades, folks: crazy bright future ahead for this band. - NBC SoundDiego

Watching the evolution of a band is always a fascinating exercise. In what direction they will go musically and how will their songwriting develop over time are some of the questions we often ponder here, particularly when it relates to one of the our favorite discoveries. The Verigolds are one such band, who originally caught our attention back in October when they released the “Crossfire”. It was an introduction to the dreamy, neo-psychedelic pop of the band that recalled similar acts we adored, namely Coves and FURS.

A few weeks ago, The Verigolds released “Grunge”, which is an even dreamier and engrossing number than their debut single. It demonstrated that the San Diego-based quartet can dazzle us in multiple ways – from the soaring, angelic vocals of co-frontwoman Jenna Cotton to the atmospheric melodies provided by Eliot Ross (guitar/viola), Ben Smedley (keys), Craig Schreibe (drums), and Cotton (keys/guitar) herself. It’s a track where perfect harmony is achieved in all the components – vocals, music, and lyrics.

These first two singles have led to high expectations that The Verigolds’ debut album, For Margaret, will be something spectacular. Today, everyone gets to find out as we are pleased to premiere the album (and you may have already heard it because For Margaret actually has been available in cyberspace for a good week).

The album demonstrates The Verigolds are not a one-trick pony. “Skypipe” for instance is a stunning, alt-folk track where Ross’ viola adds a chilling quality to complement Cotton’s haunting vocals. “Flow To Find Me” recalls the beautiful grandeur of The Civil Wars, as the dueling vocals of Ross and Cotton take control of this choral-folk number. On “Gloom” and “Desert Song”, the band adopts a gritter, alt-folk approach with the latter a slow, burning rocker that would make the gents of Widespread Panic proud.

Hear For Margaret in its entirety below and read a track-by-track commentary from the The Verigolds. One listen is all you need to learn why we have become fans of the quartet and think they will be going places with their immersive style, atmospheric sound, and sunny dispositions.

Pre-order the album on the band’s Bandcamp page.

If you’re in the San Diego area, The Verigolds will be hosting an album release show on Saturday, March 26th at Music Box. Get tickets here. They’ll be performing with SWIMM, Pearl Charles, and Gloomies, three other terrific acts whom we’ve covered previously. This should be one heck of a show. - The Revue

This is one of those rare moments when an album comes across my Outlook and I listen to it and I think to myself “They get it.” This is one of those times. Sombre and eloquent. Melodic and thoughtful. I could go on but you would stop reading. These are the initial impressions I get while listening to “For Margaret”, the new album by The Verigolds. The songs each meld into one another as the album progresses with the gentle care of a weathered storyteller placing you in a state of captivation awaiting the next verse from his lips. Well done!

Do yourself a favor and check out The Verigolds new album “For Margaret” HERE. - Jammerzine

Sometimes two voices are better than one, as is the case with San Diego alt-rockers The Verigolds, a quartet that blends elements of several rock genres (psych, pop, folk) on “Gloom”, from their debut album that was released this month, For Margaret. Singer Jenna Cotton’s echoing voice accompanies lead vocalist Eliot Ross over swelling drums and prominent piano.

That foggy opening guitar riff sounds like something Kurt Cobain might have played, but as soon as Ross’ voice comes in, it’s clear that this is a more polished affair than Nirvana. In spite of the foreboding tone, The Verigolds find the beauty behind the grunge; the guitar distortion meshes cohesively with the dancing keys and precise harmonies for a very memorable offering.

Another quality effort, “Skypipe” shows a folksier side, with rustling acoustics and pounding percussion conjuring a hypnotic and dreamy sound that’s stylistically different than “Gloom”, while possessing a similar inherent warmth. Based on these two tracks alone, The Verigolds are certainly looking up. - Obscure Sound

San Diego based neo-psych quartet The Verigolds released the exquisite single Crossfire last year. It's was the first taste for their debut album For Margaret, a collection of vintage sounding songs. Touching base with the Jefferson Airplane and and the late Eigthies/early Nineties peak of 4AD acts like Belly, they put the vocals upfront, but take your time to dissect all the goings on in the background. This is a band with a varied musical palette, alternating between gentle tinkling keyboards, old school echo effects, occasional outbursts of guitar and well placed viola.

For Margaret is a debut, but it has the markings of a band who have found their sound. This isn't a diamond in the rough, by a multifaceted jewel. - Here Comes the Flood

"All the Same" finds the band adopting some unexpectedly vintage-sounding synthesizers a la early Depeche Mode, which blend interestingly with the song's slow-burning progression and light psychedelia. Jenna Cotton takes the helm on vocals, and her ethereal delivery seems better suited to the somewhat weirder, atmospheric sounds than Eliot Ross. Now we're getting somewhere.

The more The Verigolds experiment with arrangement, the better the results. "Skypipe" finds an unusual mixture of acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin and vibraphone, and it's absolutely gorgeous, once again made even stronger due to Cotton's vocals. And the six-minute "Desert Song" showcases one of the band's best melodies, layered over with barroom piano, synth and Hammond organ, wrapping this space rocker in keyboards upon keyboards.

The Verigolds work best when giving their songs some room to breathe, which better highlights their idiosyncrasies. They have good songs—many of them—on For Margaret, but they could also stand to get a little weirder. For a self-described "Neo Psych/Alt/Indie/Folk Gaze Wave" band, The Verigolds have nothing to lose by fucking things up a little. - San Diego CityBeat

Two words that any San Diegan can identify with: beach and chill. Add a splash of 60’s psychedelic folk placed beneath a layer of ethereal pop and you get the ideal soundtrack for a day in the sun. Basically, you get the Verigolds. Recently added to the GigTown app, the four-piece band embodies the laid-back, artistic vibes that permeate their native Ocean Beach. Whether it is hanging out by sunset cliffs or surfing down by the pier, it’s easy to hear how their experiences mix beautifully into each and every note.

That’s not to say their sound is exclusive to Ocean Beach, either. While they have played hometown hot spots like Winstons Beach Club, the Verigolds have made waves all throughout San Diego. Just this year they’ve managed to make it onstage at House of Blues, the Soda Bar, and multiple stops at the Casbah. They even performed the main stage at Pacific Beachfest a couple weekends ago.

They have a lot working that makes them so fun to listen to. Lead singer Jenna Cotton’s voice has a unique graceful elegance, the musicality that blends Ben Medley’s synth and funky robotic tones with the masterful guitar and violin work of Eliot Ross, and the way that Craig Schreiber dictates the rhythm of the room on the drums. Whichever element you point at, these four are a tour de force on stage.

You already know you can check them out on the app, where you’ll see their upcoming shows, including a spot on this weekend’s Rock the Boat 2015 concert. Taking place Friday, Oct. 16, you’ll get a chance to spend the night cruising on a ship in Mission Bay and listening to some awesome GigTown artists while benefitting local charity.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, then just think: you’ll get a chance relax on a boat and see a band whose music reflects the very ocean that you’re sailing on. That sounds pretty good to us. Hope to see you there! - Gig Town

The Verigolds return by leaking the single, “Crossfire,” and its accompanying music video. The song conjures their reliably psychedelic, experimental spacescape with vocalist Jenna “Juniper” Cotton channeling the alluring echo of Neko Case. - Free Bike Valet

91x's Tim Pyles details his top January resolutions -- in rock, that is

Happy New Year and welcome to 2016, with January featuring sold-out shows from Muse and Tool (times two) -- so this list comprises everything but those shows. It's sort of a slow month overall, with loads of great local bills, but local is good. Full disclosure: Keep in mind when reviewing my list, that some of these shows are bills that I have booked. Now get off the couch, see a show and take a friend!

Jan. 1: Happy New Year!
Jan. 2: The Young Wild, the Verigolds, Western Scene and Great White Buffalo at the Music Box. Have you been to the Music Box yet? This is a great show to check out, awesome bands and it's low dough.


Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/sounddiego/Pyles-January-Rock-Resolutions-363991101.html#ixzz3wKLw0NZZ
Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook - NBC SoundDiego

Sunday Funday comes but once a week -- and on August 9, it hits the streets of Hillcrest at 5th and University for the neighborhood’s annual Cityfest.
The Merrow took the musical reins this year, securing local indie gold with the Verigolds (who you may remember from their excellent SoundDiego LIVE appearance at our party in June), Social Club, Saint Diego and others, as well as electro cumbia outfit Cumbia Machin and blues rockers Viva Apollo. Skank with ska/reggae group Perro Bravo or dance on with DJs John Joseph, Taj and K-Swift or electronica pop from We Are Sirens as the sun sets. (Peep the full lineup, with times, below.)

Some 15,000 people fill the six blocks of festivities each year to celebrate the summer of 1984, when the first ever Cityfest occurred under a newly relit Hillcrest sign. In that same tradition, all proceeds from the event go toward the preservation of the sign and the community. So bring out the whole family -- there’s a kid zone for the little ones, while big kids can barter with more than 250 artisans from across the nation and grub out at the international food court. Oh, and there’s beer too -- this is San Diego, after all.

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/sounddiego/Hillcrest-Sounds-Like-Cityfest-320650442.html#ixzz3htOYc72A
Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook - NBC San Diego

When you press play for the first time on a band that you have never heard before, you never know what to expect. That is the marvel in discovering new talent in a local music scene. If you get the chance, press play on The Verigolds because you will be instantly swept away to the ’60s surf and psychedelic rock era, complete with face paint, keyboards and mystic guitar rifts. You need to catch this live show rotating in and out of their OB neighborhood’s local live venue Winstons or they even make it down to the legendary Casbah. - 4L Magazine

Steve Anderson, in his newest article "Follow Your Own Path" shares his most memorable moments with The Verigolds and how they ultimately follow their very own creative path rather than the typical formula of success. Incredible images and a "you-cannot-miss" story. - Motovaded Magazine

Saturday, December 19 – The Verigolds, Grizzly Business, Spero, and Oh Spirit – House of Blues
Support local music!

A lot of buzz is surrounding psychedelic quartet the Verigolds. See them play with other San Diego indie groups. - ListenSD

Look, sometimes life is hard. Sometimes our case of "the Mondays" lasts throughout the week. Sometimes the hustle and constant go, go, go attitude in today’s world just gets to be a bit much. That’s why we all need to chill out sometimes, right? In honor of cooling off, breathing deep and relaxing, we’re highlighting eight of San Diego’s chillest bands. Of course, they’re not the only groups in town keeping things calm and carrying on, but they’re some of our faves. And if we’ve left out one of yours, let us know. We can handle it -- we’re chill, remember?

The Verigolds: If you were at our last SoundDiego LIVE party, you'd know that the Verigolds are a lot of things: experimental, poppy, psychedelic, dreamy -- but above all, they’re chill as all get out. Maybe that’s the reason everyone absolutely loves 'em. Hear them here.

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/sounddiego/8-of-San-Diegos-Chillest-Bands-308872021.html#ixzz3htNTAYgC
Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook - NBC San Diego

This Top Ten Songs playlist features songs from two popular posts – New Indie Singles and Best New DIY Music of 2015 (Vol. V). It was a very close battle for the No. 1 spot between Stockholm electro pop husband-wife duo, My Empire of Sound’s new single, “Scandinavian Summer” and San Diego’s 60’s pop rock-centric band The Verigolds awesome single, “Grunge.” My Empire of Sound squeaked out the No. 1 spot by only one stream/download over The Verigolds who came in at No. 2. - Indie Rock Cafe

Cool vocals, a little on the psych side of things, in other words , a great way to start your day. Give a listen and get hooked to The Verigolds…. - - 50 Third and 3rd

Comme dans un générique de western, le groupe The Verigolds nous embarque pour une chevauchée psychédélique à travers des plaines désertiques imaginaires…

La voix envoûtante de la chanteuse Jenna Cotton survole un instrumental pop très inspiré qui s’achève avec un très beau solo de guitare comme il s’en fait de moins en moins dans les productions actuelles.

Une jolie découverte. - La Musique Sismique

San Diego psych-rockers' new single released last week, shows the four-piece, led by vocalist Jenna Cotton, delivering a five-minute experimental sonic soundscape helmed by Cotton's trippy vocal. - Little Indie Blogs

We obviously have a soft spot for neo-psychedelic pop, having featured bands like FURS and Coloured Clocks. It was a treat, as such, to receive The Verigolds‘ submission. Their latest single, “Crossfire”, like the great psych-pop songs, transports the listener to another dimension. It is lush, breathtaking, and absolutely stunning, and the song is sent to a whole new level by the grandeur and beauty of frontwoman Jenna Cotton’s voice. We’ve been intoxicated by some great vocalists this year (e.g., Keeva, Zoey Lily), and Cotton’s stands among them as she touches on the majestic splendor of Neko Case and the smooth harmonies of Shelby Earl. - The Revue

San Diego band The Verigolds’ new single “Grunge” opens with space alien and robot-like sounds before breaking into a pop/chillwave vibe with plucky guitars and bright female vocals. Apparently, that intro of electronic elements is something fans should get used to. According to drummer/back-up vocalist Craig Schreiber, electronic vibes will be on new recordings more so than on past songs. And if the single is any indication, that fan base should also be growing.

“Grunge” is a tight blend of the four band members’ talents. Along with Schreiber, Eliot Ross pulls double-duty on vocals and guitar, Ben Smedley plays keyboards and provides backup vocals, and, arguably the star of this outfit, Jenna Cotton sings lead on many songs and also plays keys and guitar. Her tone and inflections on the single bring to mind ’80s pop-rock goddesses like Debbie Harry (Blondie) and Patty Donahue (The Waitresses). And while I try to avoid laundry-listing comparisons, two San Diego songstresses also spring to mind — Megan Liscomb (Soft Lions, Boy King) and Amanda Portela (Viva Apollo). In short, Cotton’s in good company.

The band released a “pseudo EP” last year, according to Schreiber, which has more of a straight-forward, alt-rock style with some psychedelic shades thrown in. One of the tracks from it, “Sky Pipe,” also highlights Cotton’s prowess, albeit in a softer way. The dreamy tune matches the delicate side of her vocals with viola, glockenspiel, hand-clapping and acoustic strumming. The result is other-worldly and — dare I say? — pretty.

Another psychedelic twist from the EP comes with the tune “Fanfare” which features some rockin’ organs and an intensifying pace crafted by percussion and guitars along the way. Ross joins Cotton on this one for a fun and upbeat call-and-respond style; his crooning and her sweet harmonizing blending well. One common failure in the shoegaze, fuzz-rock genre, I find, is the burying of vocalists beneath piles of sound. On this tune, and others, The Verigolds avoid this folly with both singers shining through and each instrument getting its spotlight as well. Case in point: the killer guitar solo that wraps up “Fanfare.”

Notably, the songs on The Verigolds’ “pseudo EP” are loose and unwieldy — but I’m not holding that against them. Schreiber noted that these tracks were mostly recorded live, which gave them that raw vibe, but that the tracks they’re currently working on have a more “polished finish.”

The band is playing a litany of shows, finishing up a video for “Grunge” and plans to record more songs for a proper release.
To get a taste of what The Verigolds’ new creations might sound like, head to the Casbah on March 9 for a stacked show curated by 91X’s Tim Pyles with Brian Ellis’ Reflection (electronic/funk) and The Whiskey Circle (alt-folk). Tickets are only $6. - TourWorthy.com

The Verigolds ain't your typical beach band from San Diego -- the local psych pop group discuss their experimental style on this week's SoundDiego Spotlight. Be sure to see them at the Casbah on March 9.

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/video/#!/blogs/sounddiego/The-Verigolds-Standard/295517601#ixzz3XCcTo1yb
Follow us: @nbcsandiego on Twitter | NBCSanDiego on Facebook - NBC SoundDiego

On this episode of Beats & Eats, I interview the mystic and mysterious Jenna Cotton from The Verigolds while enjoying delicious food and drinks while in the presence of a gorgeous view at Wonderland in Ocean Beach. - 4L Magazine

The Verigolds claim their formation is integrally connected to local painter Celeste Byers and the eclectic scene of Ocean Beach –and they wear enough facepaint to prove it. With a diverse range of instruments and gender alternating vocals, the quartet claims experimental folk and psychedelia groove as their prevailing soundscape, but their latest single, “Grunge,” is a polished pop dazzler of danceable indie rock that lets Jenna “Juniper” Cotton’s ebullient vocals dominate and shine. - Free Bike Valet

8
VERIGOLDS
San Diego folk rock band Verigolds will start a night of good vibes and tunes at Seven Grand.

Saturday, September 13 at Seven Grand (San Diego Music Thing)

Time: 8 p.m.

Admission: FREE

Line-up: Verigolds / Emily Jane White / Andrew Belle / Magic Giant - DiscoverSD

The Verigolds are a four piece band from San Diego, bringing neo-psychedelia and indie-alternative modernization, or as they colorfully describe their sound, “where the 60’s meet the 21st century in a sonically pleasant parallel universe.” The quartet is made up of Eliot Ross (vocals, guitar, viola), Jenna Cotton (vocals, keys, guitar), Ben Smedley (keys, vocals), and Craig Schreiber (drums, vocals). While other tracks contain a heavier neo-psych sound, and alternating between male and female vocalist, “Grunge,” is a beautiful deception of what is to be expected and what is delivered.

A first glance, one would think anything with the word grunge in it would be slightly angry, in some sort of aspect. The closest thing to “grunge” or dismay would be the opening of distortion of electronic sonic noises. That quickly fades as the tempo changes to a playful demeanor, and reminiscent plucking of sounds similar to the indie-experimental side of Vampire Weekend’s “Ottoman,” with the underlying layer of distortion heard in the back. A soft spoken and dreamy voice enters that holds a different range of eras which makes this song, and the band, interesting. Jenna Cotton illustrates, along with The Verigolds, the era of psychedelic tranquility, that emerged from artists in Laurel Canyon in the 60s and 70s. Amongst the look, feel, and certain sounds that can be traced to this root, Cotton’s voice on this track is from another era, which once again adds to the deception of this song that is so attractive. The softness, and a whimsical approach exuded by Cotton takes me back to a certain era and artist; the 80s and Juice Newton, with her track “Angel of the Morning.”

“Grunge” is a multi-layered song with simple beats, drawing from different inspirations musically to produce the blissfulness felt on a good day. It is an instant attraction when heard, and despite being heavily influenced by the psych era, there is a sense of modernization that makes the track refreshing and non-generic. - Girl Underground Music

THE MAGNIFICENT 7 ! Week 7…
2 months agoJLMusic MixAdd comment Earphones-800

#1/ THE VERIGOLDS !
Rock & pop quartet from the beaches of San Diego – 60s meet the 21st century – top track !

- See more at: http://www.50thirdand3rd.com/magnificent-7-week-7/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#sthash.5Yx0lGKa.dpuf - 50 Third and 3rd

Thursday, July 16

PLAN A: Soft Lions, Summer Twins, Other Bodies, Some Kind of Lizard @ The Casbah. Read Seth Combs' recent story on Soft Lions. The local trio is releasing their new EP Spellbreaker, and their post-riot-grrrl pop gets better with each release. PLAN B: Dick Diver, The Gloomies, The Verigolds @ Soda Bar. Dick Diver's name only sounds dirty—it actually comes from an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. And the Australian band doesn't specialize in raunch, but rather jangly, upbeat indie pop that'll remind you of your favorite mid-'80s college radio show. - San Diego CityBeat

In episode 57 we sit down with 2 members of the great San Diego band The Verigolds. Together on a hot June evening over some local beers, we discuss the San Diego beer scene and local music. We talk about new beer trends, what we have been drinking lately and some local favorites including many from Mother Earth Brew Co. in Vista – all while drinking Cali Creamin from Mother Earth. Sit back as you get to know the band The Verigolds – We discuss who they are and what is happening in their world of music. Learn how the band formed and the progress from their beginning to present day. Get an inside look on what makes them tick and hear their latest single – Grunge. Plus hear them break down their sound and their inspiration behind song writing. All this plus much more including Dustin’s idea for a new “barrel aged” beverage, we discuss the correct way to pronounce “Pho”, Tom breaks down his first trip to Toolbox Brewing in Vista while we talk sour beers, thoughts on cover bands, the importance of the Beatles and Ringo’s brilliant drumming, favorite local music venues plus TONS more in this jam packed San Diego craft beer and local music episode! We sample and discuss Cali Creamin from Mother Earth Brew Co, Mad Dub from Acoustic Ales and numerous Pizza Port cans on this episode. Don’t miss out on one of our most fun and positive episodes to date! - Three B Zine Podcast!

.... And after the movie I’d roll into O.B., where Gallagher’s has Hills Like Elephants, the Verigolds, and Diamond Lakes filling a triple indie killing.... - San Diego Reader

The Verigolds
“Grunge”

Based on this sole selection submitted by the band, I'm ready to call myself a fan. Singer Jenna Cotton brandishes her Deborah Harry vocals while otherworldly psychedelic elements dance in and out. Halfway through, the song's playful guitars mimic the sing-song of the vocals for a cool effect. It wraps up with more trippy alien and robot sounds. The song is catchy enough to be dance-friendly; I'd say it's electro-pop that doesn't overdo either the electro or the pop. I'll have an ear out for the The Verigolds in the future. soundcloud.com/theverigolds

—Jen Van Tieghem - San Diego CityBeat

The Verigolds took the stage next. With the biggest crowd of the night, The Verigolds fans surrounded the stage and proceeded to start a fun, bouncy, hip-swaying dance party right from the get-go. The second the music began with a twisting psychedelic guitar chord, it quickly became evident how the band procured such a instant fan reaction. The complimentary call-and-respond style of big-voiced lyrics between lead female singer Juniper and guitarist Eliot Ross created this cool air of seduction. They weren’t seducing each other so much as the audience especially noteworthy in “Fanfare.” Other tracks like “Gloom,” were a tip-of-the-hat to the sixties psychedelic movement with chiming guitars and jangly keys. Their sound is modern with synthesizers, distortion and layering creating a multi-dimensional feel that truly wowed. - Tentacle Ears

Best Indie/Alternative Album
The Verigolds - “For Margaret” - NBC SoundDiego

Having formed in 2014, the Verigolds are fairly new to the San Diego music scene. But the Pacific Beach foursome, known for their pastiche of ‘60s psychedelic rock and spacey synths, have made an impact in the past three years.

The indie rockers — Jenna Cotton (guitarist, keyboardist, lead vocalist), Eliot Ross (guitarist, strings, vocalist), Ben Smedley (vocalist, keyboardist) and Craig Schreiber (vocalist, drummer) — released their first single, “Crossfire,” in 2015 and soon followed with a trippy video filmed at Black’s Beach.

Last year, they introduced their nine-song debut album, For Margaret. Drawing inspiration from the classic (the Beatles, Pink Floyd) to the contemporary (the XX, Phantogram), the Verigolds appealed to both new fans and critics, with SoundDiego recognizing Margaret as 2016’s Album of the Year and praising it as “a Technicolor journey that’s nearly impossible not to get lost in.”

The band also landed some high-profile gigs, including a stint at Kaaboo, and last month they returned to the podium, this time at the San Diego Music Awards, to accept the trophy for Best Indie/Rock Album.

Looking forward to shows at Soda Bar on April 29 and Oysterfest on June 9, Cotton opened up about how they coaxed Schreiber into joining the band and made clear what she didn’t want to share. - San Diego Reader

There are a few things to expect from a performance by San Diego’s The Verigolds. First, there’s the vibrant stage lights and dreamy visual graphics. Then there’s the bandmembers wearing flash tattoos and ‘70s-inspired attire. There’s also the crowd: a colorful bunch comprising half hippies and half hipsters.

There’s also a more remote possibility of seeing something a bit more startling, like the sight of drummer Craig Schreiber with his shirt half-ripped and bloody, as was the case at one of their shows a while back.
“[Craig] had smashed so hard on his drums that he smashed his head open and was bleeding all down his chest,” says vocalist, guitarist and violinist Eliot Ross. “His shirt just had blood everywhere.”
For The Verigolds, getting a little wild on stage is all in the spirit of the band. The quartet—Ross, Schreiber, vocalist Jenna Cotton and keyboardist Ben Smedley—emanate brazenness and animation both in their music and live show. It’s not often that this translates into performances like the one at the OB Template, where Schreiber’s intense drumming ended in a busted, bloody face, but every now and then it just might. For the most part though, their shows are more about dazzling their audience with a magnetic presence and their catchy indie pop songs. And so far, it seems to be working.
The last year and a half has seen The Verigolds rise in prominence in San Diego’s music scene. They won Best Indie Album for their debut, For Margaret, at the San Diego Music Awards in March, which caught them by surprise. They recorded the entire album in their garage, which they converted into a recording studio. Though it was their first time recording as a band, the cohesion in the album reveals a certain level of maturity that is surprising for a band still in their relatively early stages.
Yet The Verigolds are in something of a process of evolution. They explain that For Margaret is an accurate snapshot of who they were when they recorded it.
“I could listen to that [album] when I’m like 40 and I would like emotionally feel where I was,” Cotton says.
For Margaret explores the dichotomies of sound and genre, playing between polar opposites and finding balance with contrasting elements: folk and electronic, acoustic and ambient, classic rock and synth-pop. The Verigolds take note from more conventional rock influences—Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Bob Dylan—but also merge that with modern electronica artists such as The xx and Phantogram to build more immediate and eclectic compositions. Moving forward, though, their music will likely reflect something else as they intend to take steps toward a more electronic focused sound.
“It captured where we were in that point of the development,” Schreiber says. “That album, if we can say anything about it...we’re still striving for more, but that was a present, decent capture of that time.”
The Verigolds also say that their music was in part a reaction to the heavy rock sound that overtook San Diego a few years ago when they first started as a band. Cotton and Schreiber in particular remember how heavy rock and punk dominated local venues and along with it an attitude that, to them, made the scene feel unapproachable and standoffish. Despite this, a growing popularity of electronic and indie pop sounds has allowed The Verigolds to make headway in a scene that had previously favored louder, heavier bands.
“There was so much psych-rock or just rock, and it was funny because like I would go to these shows, and it was very dark. People were just standing, watching,” says Cotton. “It’s funny because when we first started about four years ago, it was a heavy psych-rock scene and it totally is trending into indie rock right now.”
Even though they say they realized early what they didn’t want to do as a band, there wasn’t always a clear idea of exactly what direction they would take. Back in 2012, when their formation took place, practices were held in Ross and Smedley’s studio apartment behind OB Noodle House, where they both worked at the time. The foursome squeezed themselves and their instruments into that cramped, shabby studio.
The band also remembers how some of their first informal audiences consisted of passersby who strolled through the alley next to their apartment—locals and drunks leaving Lucy’s Tavern down the street and sometimes dropping flowers through the window of the apartment. These spectators, the studio apartment and the community of Ocean Beach in itself is something The Verigolds attribute with the start of their band, helping to organically cultivate a sound inspired as much by their ambient surroundings as their natural intuition.
“We trust each other’s instincts, and we formed a sound through that as opposed to agreeing on a sound and going for that,” says Schreiber.
While The Verigolds explain that they’re not attached to any certain sound or outcome going forward, they do maintain the same attitude that brought them together in the beginning: an appreciation for honest, wholehearted expression.
“Free yourselves, free you as an individual. Don’t have this front because of some weird insecurity you have,” Schrieber says. “Let me buy you a beer, and let’s open up and enjoy this music together.” - CityBeat (Cover Article)

The Verigolds are a San Diego quartet whose polished blend of folk, electronic and psychedelic rock has made them a big hit in the 619. Last year the band — Jenna Cotton, Eliot Ross, Ben Smedley and Craig Schreiber — released their San Diego Music Awards-honored full-length “For Margaret,” which ebbs and flows on Cotton’s clarion vocals. Now the foursome has graduated to working in the studio with veteran producer Ed Stasium, whose body of work includes albums by the likes of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Living Colour, Reverend Horton Heat, Hoodoo Gurus, Translator and the Pursuit of Happiness. The new single “Walk on Water” is the first from that collaboration, and Cotton sings it like she can walk on water, as she and her mates exude the resolve of ’90s college rockers (10,000 Maniacs come to mind, only spacier) who can’t wait to get out of the clubs. Stay for Ross’s gritty guitar. - BuzzBands.LA