Music
Press
V. May's hard-hitting, gut-wrenching intensity erupts in the form of smacks, slaps, scratches and taps on six-string percussion, fervently passionate love-tormented lyrics and a commandingly stunning voice.
Her eyes squinch, her head tilts back, her hair flies back and forth as her body rocks, and her legs kick, twist and stomp uncontrollably when she's pushing out a squall.
And you can't help but grip the bar of her sail and ride white-knuckled through the storm with her. When it slows in the calm waters, her effervescent charm makes you laugh through the tears you just shed.
- Hinala Productions
When you are in the business of writing reviews and recommendations, it's great to have the opportunity to bring great art and expression to your audience - those who honor you with their viewing. It is our FlawLes pleasure to introduce to you (just in case you haven't been paying attention), Veronica May. Not only a great person, she is a wonderful musician whose modesty is unable to mask her obvious gift of music.
Veronica May has a talent for warm but edgy vocals that support her provocative and confident lyricism. You can hear her in some of the most intimate settings throughout San Diego that allow comfort on so many levels -all of which we propose to be the most suitable environment to exhibit her personal candor and artistic performance. If you are unable to catch a Veronica May performance soon, you will be disappointing your calendar
- Flawles magazing
Upon hearing Veronica May play over the years, as she started her musical career in Fort Collins, I can think of over a dozen words to describe her unique sound. Her vocals hit to the bone, and she strays from pop-culture as her inimitable, distinctive and staggering stage presence pushes her body and voice around the stage in obvious passion. Her influences are indie/folk singers like Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin and Danielle Anderson, however she has created a unique sound that throbs into the hearts of her listeners. It is palpable that she plays from the heart and as a singer/songwriter her vocals melt into her smooth sounds that ricochet into a crowd as she cradles the guitar in some moments and pounds on it as a percussion piece in others, as can be heard in her notorious “Sandpaper Song” where she uniquely uses her nails to scratch onto sandpaper glued to the body of her guitar to give depth and intensity to this profound piece. Veronica May and The To-Do List is a band you can’t miss. As an avid fan I encourage you to check them out at their next tour dates. Because, as Veronica admits, “if my fingers aren’t bleeding by the end of the show, I didn’t give you everything I had.” She sings from the soul, her heart-wrenching lyrics are a layered with her own melodious guitar sounds and those of bass player Jeff Johnson and drummer Simon DasGupta. This San Diego based band is on the rise so catch them here in Denver while you can, you won’t dissatisfy your musical cravings. - Weird Sisters West-Holly Hatch
Upon hearing Veronica May play over the years, as she started her musical career in Fort Collins, I can think of over a dozen words to describe her unique sound. Her vocals hit to the bone, and she strays from pop-culture as her inimitable, distinctive and staggering stage presence pushes her body and voice around the stage in obvious passion. Her influences are indie/folk singers like Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin and Danielle Anderson, however she has created a unique sound that throbs into the hearts of her listeners. It is palpable that she plays from the heart and as a singer/songwriter her vocals melt into her smooth sounds that ricochet into a crowd as she cradles the guitar in some moments and pounds on it as a percussion piece in others, as can be heard in her notorious “Sandpaper Song” where she uniquely uses her nails to scratch onto sandpaper glued to the body of her guitar to give depth and intensity to this profound piece. Veronica May and The To-Do List is a band you can’t miss. As an avid fan I encourage you to check them out at their next tour dates. Because, as Veronica admits, “if my fingers aren’t bleeding by the end of the show, I didn’t give you everything I had.” She sings from the soul, her heart-wrenching lyrics are a layered with her own melodious guitar sounds and those of bass player Jeff Johnson and drummer Simon DasGupta. This San Diego based band is on the rise so catch them here in Denver while you can, you won’t dissatisfy your musical cravings. - Weird Sisters West-Holly Hatch
Discography
Ripple Effect
Speak with your hands
Do the thing that you do
Sandpaper song
Photos
Bio
WHO: Veronica May and the To Do List – an indie/funk/blues collective comprised of scratch and slap acoustic guitarist Veronica May, pin-back playing bassist Jeff Johnson world-traveling drummer Simon DasGupta and textured guitarist Megan Carchman.
WHAT: A smorgasbord of soulful sounds influenced by the likes of Ani DiFranco, Pinback and Queen. Separately they’ve played with Allegra Barley, SweetTooth, Saucy Monkey and PJ Phillips. Together they produce gleefully innovative sounds including percussive eruptions from both the drums AND the guitar.
WHERE: With roots in Colorado, San Diego and the UK, their fan base is pure Southern California gold. Just say the words “Veronica May” and they will come – if just to see what she does with that little piece of sandpaper.
WHEN: As often as possible. Because once you hear this group, you want to know more. How do they do it? What are they going to do next? Why do my head and feet keep moving? And why am I smiling so darn much?
WHY: To experience originality, energy, clever lyrics, dirty blues, jazzy funk, perhaps even the polka, leg kicks and press-on moustaches.
HOW: By adding Veronica May and the To Do List to your “to do” list today.
Links
