Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 05/15/2024
Photo by Hunter Carrico
(LOS ANGELES, CA) -- Finding beauty beneath the pain and harmony hiding in heartbreak is an art form that Gina Zo has mastered as frontwoman of the Philly-bred, L.A.-based indie pop act Velvet Rouge. On May 15th, the trio released the first single, "Lonely Since The Day We Met" alongside the music video and also announced the self-titled EP due July 26.
The song is available at your favorite music service here and the EP is available for pre-save.
In discussing the single Zo said, “This song reaches into the undeniable feeling of dread when you realize you never loved someone you are with. They never gave you what you needed - and in reality you’ve been with them because it was the easy way out - instead of coming to terms with the fact you’ve been lonely since the day you met them.”
The self-titled EP was recorded with Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey (War On Drugs, Sharon Van Etten, Kurt Vile, Dr. Dog), Velvet Rouge’s raw and unrestrained EP is a throwback to early 2000s pop and ‘90s rock music with each track taking on one of the essential life elements: “Lonely Since The Day We Met” (Earth); “Trial” (Space); “I Don’t Know Why” (Air/Wind); “Shattered” (Fire); and “When Did I Become” (Water).
In the end, says Zo, “My mission of this album is to take listeners into the core of my songwriting, which is the struggle of every single 20-something person: figuring out who the fuck you are.”
The material on Velvet Rouge’s upcoming self-titled debut EP has steady beats from drummer Buddy Mazzenga, guitar-driven rhythm from Joe McEnany and guest pianist Zo's younger brother Tyler DeTulleo which comes off like the soundtrack to an all-nighter at the heartbreak hotel.
The upcoming EP follow's Velvet Rouge's debut EP, Dark Hallways which came out October 2021 (under their previous alias, Zo) with "All The Things I Could Do" amassing 27,000 Spotify streams in 48 hours. In 2022, Gina Zo was inducted into the Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter and set out on a journey to put her mark on rock n roll. Later that year, the trio was voted Best Rock Band in Philly and was featured in Philly Style Magazine’s where they were crowned, "Philly's Hottest Rock Band."
Velvet Rouge will hit the road starting May 31 with a stop in Montreal on June 6 and summer festivals including Ladybug Music Festival, Beardfest and Musikfest plus shows in Los Angeles, Philly and New York. For tickets, visit, www.velvetrougeband.com/tour.
Tour Dates:
05/31 – Wilmington, Delaware @ Ladybug Music Festival
06/02 – Portland, ME @ Portland Lobster Company
06/04 – Montreal, CAN @ Barfly
06/13 – Hammonton, NJ @ Beardfest
06/29 – Bethlehem, PA @ Live at the V
07/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Viper Room
07/27 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
08/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Victory
08/07 – Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest
08/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Mint
08/11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Rex at the Royal
08/31 – Philadelphia, PA @ Victory
09/14 – New York, NY @ The Delancey
09/20 – Camden, NJ @ Xponential Music Festival
10/19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Evil Genius Beer Co.
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