Ōtautahi’s latest rising rock outfit Velveteen has released their debut album Heavy Machinery via Winegum Records. Jam packed with fuzzy Corgan-esque guitars, heavy drums alongside emotional vocal melodies and lyrics, the alt-rock debut channels the energy of 90s alt-rock, infused with a dark, post-punk edge and draws influence from the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, Shihad, Jimmy Eat World, The Garden. Heavy Machinery delves into a rollercoaster of emotions, with frontman Jai's heartfelt lyrics and burning vocals exploring his feelings during a time of heartbreak and the deterioration of some close relationships:
“I was going through a lot mentally when I was writing and recording… I really love this album and it means so much to me. It's got some really angry moments and some very heartfelt ones. It's very emo and angsty, a bit gothic at times. It’s pretty loud and fuzzy and I love all of it.”
Featured as the focus track alongside the album release is Post-Punk rager Salt Lake City which deals with songwriter Jai’s frustration around someone who used to “make everything a competition if you had a bad day”. As the unrelenting drums build into an anthemic halftime chorus, the listener gets to breathe for just a moment before diving right back in, tossed around by the palpable angst and frustration as Jai vents.
“You'd tell them about some mental problems and they were always doing way worse. I was very tired of my mental health and emotions being discarded by them because they were doing worse than me.”
Heavy Machinery is a true homegrown record, with Jai having performed the vast majority himself, and his brother Niko joining on drums for a few songs. The album includes “heart felt, bitter and at times aggressive songs” that were recorded and mixed over a period of 18 months “in the garage” at home by Mike Oakley (Volt Music Studios), with hours spent writing, recording, mixing, tweaking to land at the final product. The complete album is now available via Winegum Records on all digital platforms, and CDs are available in local record stores as well as Bandcamp.
Velveteen is the solo project of Jai Tudor-Oakley. A musician and artist living in Ōtautahi, Christchurch, New Zealand. Jai has emerged as a captivating solo artist, blending shoegaze, 90s alternative rock with elements of punk and electronica. Velveteen's music carries an infectious raw energy, emotional depth and authenticity. Velveteen delves into themes of introspection, self- discovery, love, and the human experience.