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Spotlight on VAYA

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 02/01/2022

Spotlight on VAYA

VAYA sees themselves as more of a spirit - a way to express yourself through music, colors, and performance - than a traditional band.  Based in Toronto, their first concert was in the summer of 2017.  Their name is strongly connected to the white wolf spirit. The Penguin Rocks presents this interview with VAYA.

Who are the members of the band and what instrument do they each play? VAYA welcomed different musicians on the road I was really happy to share with to empower the all power of it and make it more unique as it started. VAYA is full of soul prints, of human stories, of friend and family ship, of spirituality, of sharing ideas of co creation. And it will continue like that as long as possible. I am really happy to be a part and a witness of it.

Tell me about your latest record.  What songs are you most proud of on the record? I love all of them because all together they do the full spine of  a strong human story:) so each one has its one importance.

 




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How many records, eps, or singles has the band put out in total? How has the band changed over time? We are only on the second opus. We started with a double album. I think we are more confident to experiment ourself on new things.

 

What was one of your favorite gigs? I liked the one we said goodbye to Switzerland, it was warm and sincere.

 

Where does the band regularly play shows?  Well today it is hard to say :) But we are working on flying to Japan and then if Universe allows it, doing a little step back to Europe with the first album. 

 




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Where would you like to play if you could? Where? JAPAN! And ALL OVER THE WORLD!


What would be the “next step” that you’d like to see the band take?  Being renown so we can be able to meet more interesting people and move.


For more on VAYA visit their official website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. 


The Artist Spotlight series features interviews with artists and bands from around the world.  If you would like to be considered for an interview, email [email protected] and provide a link to your website or socials for us to check out.  There is no cost to being part of the series.  Interviews run at The Penguin Rocks and NewJerseyStage.com


 

FEATURED EVENTS



The Drew Forum presents: Mike Breen & Walt “Clyde” Frazier

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Maria Muldaur With Pianist Bruce Katz

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Lonestar

Thursday, October 01, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


The Commodores

Thursday, October 01, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


 


 

COLUMNS


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MORE NEWS

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Evil Genius Beer Company celebrates 15 years of very silly names and very serious beers - and a brand that was built on celebrating nostalgia - with a giant, all-day, all-ages block party taking over Fishtown. Evil Genius 15th Anniversary Music Festival will debut on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11:00am to 10:00pm, from Cecil B. Moore to Palmer Street on Front Street and from Front Street to Blair Street on Palmer Street. Headlined by 2000s alt-rock legends, Wheatus ("Teenage Dirtbag"), the giant block party will feature ten hours of live music, food and drink from around the neighborhood, two exclusive beer releases, and an outdoor market with nearly 50 local vendors, artists and makers. The fido and family friendly party is no charge and open to the public, with food and drink pay as you go.


Willie Nile to perform special "Storyteller" show at Jersey Shore Arts Center




Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine names Suzanne Vega as Phoebe Jacobs Award Honoree




MPAC's 32nd Season Anniversary Gala LIVE! Starring Jessica Vosk




The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Laura Mann and Ben Arnold on Friday






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Mason Gross School of the Arts presents AJAYE in concert on October 1st

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Mason Gross School of the Arts is set to host a live concert by Nashville-based acoustic singer-songwriter AJAYE on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. The free concert of original music, which will also include a short performance by a Rutgers music student, singer-songwriter Sam Tunkel, will take place at the intimate Victoria J. Mastrobuono Theater, part of the Mason Gross Performing Arts Center on the Douglass Campus.


State Theatre New Jersey presents Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band on October 2nd




Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie presents Joe Zook and Blues Deluxe on October 2nd




The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Laura Mann and Ben Arnold on Friday






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