Falling for Secondhand Serenade
August 2008
“Well, I’m about 6’1”,” deadpans John Vesely, the one-man-band otherwise known as Secondhand Serenade, when asked to describe himself. Obviously good-humored and not to mention good-looking, he continues, “I love the beach, warm summer nights. I like blondes and brunettes. And I’ll even go redhead. That’s about it.”
There’s much more to the straightforward and unabashedly honest artist than he lets on, though. First and foremost, don’t make the mistake of labeling Vesely as a singer-songwriter, despite the facts that he both sings and writes his own songs.
Vesely explains, “I want people to really focus on the music and not be concerned with who’s making it.”
It’s no wonder, then, that he chooses to be known as Secondhand Serenade, a stage name allowing at least a superficial anonymity. Although, the real psychology behind the pseudonym can be attributed to his wife, for whom he dedicates the majority of his songs, or serenades. Essentially, then, Vesely gives the audience “a chance [for] a second-hand serenade.”
After spending years playing the local circuits of the Bay Area, Vesely traded his bass guitar for an acoustic and began writing his own material. A product of the MySpace generation, Vesely initially garnered attention and CD sales via the social networking site in 2005, a grassroots success which led to a deal with Glassnote Records soon after.
Vesely, however, did not break into mainstream consciousness until receiving increased radio play with
“Fall for You,” off his sophomore album, A Twist in My Story. Since its January release, the single has peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Pop 100 chart and continues to rise in popularity.
The album features 11 beautifully sensitive and poignant songs, all reflecting the rawness of reality in their heartfelt lyrics and in Vesely’s soulful voice.
“Whatever feeds emotion in my life, creates a memory, or sticks with me, I’ll write about it,” he says.
In concert, Vesely confides he enjoys performing opener “Like a Knife” but cannot discern a favorite of his songs, saying, “They’re kind of like cities. I like them all for different reasons.”
While new cities mean new experiences, the family man admits that touring can have its negatives:
“Sometimes I have problems with my voice, or sometimes I get tired or not in the mood, but every time you hit the stage you have to be on 100%. I’m just kinda going with the flow. Things are going well, and I’m hoping that they continue to go well.”
And they will. Vesely recently celebrated the milestone of his single being certified gold and has plans to record with Chicago for their upcoming duets album. The future also brings a video shoot for his next single and a televised tattoo as Vesely stops by “LA Ink” to add a paradise landscape to his already illustrated forearms.
He promises concert audiences can expect to see “a big show…but still very, very intimate and personal,” and adds, “Hopefully they leave regarding it as one of the better concerts they’ve been to.”
If you haven’t already fallen for Secondhand Serenade’s “Fall for You,” or for Mr. John Vesely, start your decent.
Links: Official Site | Facebook | Twitter
There’s much more to the straightforward and unabashedly honest artist than he lets on, though. First and foremost, don’t make the mistake of labeling Vesely as a singer-songwriter, despite the facts that he both sings and writes his own songs.
Vesely explains, “I want people to really focus on the music and not be concerned with who’s making it.”
It’s no wonder, then, that he chooses to be known as Secondhand Serenade, a stage name allowing at least a superficial anonymity. Although, the real psychology behind the pseudonym can be attributed to his wife, for whom he dedicates the majority of his songs, or serenades. Essentially, then, Vesely gives the audience “a chance [for] a second-hand serenade.”
After spending years playing the local circuits of the Bay Area, Vesely traded his bass guitar for an acoustic and began writing his own material. A product of the MySpace generation, Vesely initially garnered attention and CD sales via the social networking site in 2005, a grassroots success which led to a deal with Glassnote Records soon after.
Vesely, however, did not break into mainstream consciousness until receiving increased radio play with
“Fall for You,” off his sophomore album, A Twist in My Story. Since its January release, the single has peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Pop 100 chart and continues to rise in popularity.
The album features 11 beautifully sensitive and poignant songs, all reflecting the rawness of reality in their heartfelt lyrics and in Vesely’s soulful voice.
“Whatever feeds emotion in my life, creates a memory, or sticks with me, I’ll write about it,” he says.
In concert, Vesely confides he enjoys performing opener “Like a Knife” but cannot discern a favorite of his songs, saying, “They’re kind of like cities. I like them all for different reasons.”
While new cities mean new experiences, the family man admits that touring can have its negatives:
“Sometimes I have problems with my voice, or sometimes I get tired or not in the mood, but every time you hit the stage you have to be on 100%. I’m just kinda going with the flow. Things are going well, and I’m hoping that they continue to go well.”
And they will. Vesely recently celebrated the milestone of his single being certified gold and has plans to record with Chicago for their upcoming duets album. The future also brings a video shoot for his next single and a televised tattoo as Vesely stops by “LA Ink” to add a paradise landscape to his already illustrated forearms.
He promises concert audiences can expect to see “a big show…but still very, very intimate and personal,” and adds, “Hopefully they leave regarding it as one of the better concerts they’ve been to.”
If you haven’t already fallen for Secondhand Serenade’s “Fall for You,” or for Mr. John Vesely, start your decent.
Links: Official Site | Facebook | Twitter
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