veronicavon and the pop cool and melancholy sweetness of "Could've Tried"

 

"Packed my things and left / Laughed at my regret / Drying all the tears I’ve ever cried..."

There aren't many but some songs unbelievably mix artful cool and whimsy, an aesthetic that at once feel big city-fied (is that a word?) with the awe, wonder of pre-teenage years. On "Could've Tried" by Los Angeles avant pop / indie rock artists veronicavon there is a cross generational aesthetic that feels (to me) like a fusing of early 80's proto punk / new wave quirkiness of artists like Konk, Tom Tom Club and 90's twee like The Softies and coalescing into something else entirely. At least that is what is bouncing around in my brain.

I am sure that songwriters Chris Hackman (Human Barbie) and Xuan Nguyen (Xuan) are inspired by a lot newer artists than I mentioned as they are a lot younger than I am but whomever infuses their sound makes their art so unique. A lot of those difference hinges on Xuan's vocal countenance that embodies a pure sweetness while dipped in some melancholia as well as the pair's overall aesthetic that feels pop lean running on bold tones but embraced with musical subtleties too. The less is more aesthetic is utterly appreciated. So often artists try to heap on layers of production (ad nauseam) as if tons of distractions will help. It usually does not.

Digging this.

-Robb Donker Curtius

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:

https://veronicavon.bandcamp.com/track/couldve-tried

https://open.spotify.com/track/04ZUad18xszxdqExEA6fot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-lpS8G0ak

https://www.facebook.com/Veronicavon-101051886023242

https://www.instagram.com/vvsohot/

Formed in the depths of 2020, veronicavon is the brainchild of songwriters Chris Hackman (Human Barbie) and Xuan Nguyen (Xuan), who joined forces with a secret plan to stay sane and explore new horizons in bedroom pop. Hackman & Nguyen’s projects have been featured on KCRW, Brooklyn Vegan, Spotify Editorial, Compact Cassette, and more; veronicavon adds a bewitchingly dreamy flavor to their already-enticing repertoires.


** At this particular time we find ourselves in a financial pinch due to many factors. We want to keep AP going. It has been a passion project for over 13 years. PLEASE consider donating, we could really use the support. Thanks so much

 

veronicavon, dream pop, indie rock, avant pop, art pop, twee, singer songwriters, Chris Hackman (Human Barbie) and Xuan Nguyen (Xuan), sweetness of "Could've Tried",