Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Who is this VASH? Is V for Victory, or is V for Vendetta? Or perhaps, V is for Verecke Pass. Is Vash a fun loving Roots Rockin’ Folkster, or the metaphoric modern day incarnation of a real life Vash the Stampede, alternating between moments of genius as he takes aim at the conventions and “thought boxes” of contemporary post-modernism, and periods of sheer personal idiocy. Who cares? Does it really matter? This guy writes great songs! In his debut effort, Vash has put together a string of captivating tunes that flow smoothly from one to the other all while touching on a wide spectrum of subject matter and sonic presentations. This CD is well recorded, and is a most satisfying listen. From the Beatlely “Sweet Joleen”, to the whimsical debauchery of “Funky Bungalow”, through to the intimate folksy charms of “I Wish I Knew” and the explosively powerful clarion call for freedom lovers around the world in their confrontations with the “malefactors of great wealth” in “On the Topic of Ani Difranco, Post Modernism, and the Liberation of Singularities”, Vash does indeed deliver. Vash even throws in a scorching blues fusion guitar vehicle in the straight forward “On your Own”. Help this kid out. Help yourself out. Buy this CD. If your money is tight, consider giving the kid a buck or two by purchasing a few of his tunes through the usual and legitimate internet music retailers and providers. As for Vash, let’s hope he has begun work on his follow-up CD, the world could always use another articulate truth-teller. Arpad Pasztor, Independent Music Reviewer
- Independant Music
"Pete Vash's music can conjure up musical images of the best of the 1960's if you let it -- the first great flowering of singer-songwriters, the British Invasion, the early glory days of folk-rock and country-rock, the blues revival, a touch of psychedelia. But nostalgia this isn't. This is fresh, new music for a fresh new era, by a fresh, new voice. But the standout track is an eight-minute, multi-sectioned, techno- and hard-rock-inspired topical song (sampling Dubya himself) which lets you know that Pete Vash isn't afraid to take risks." Tom Bingham, WCVF 88.9FM, Fredonia, NY - WCVF 88.9 FM, Fredonia, NY
Discography
2005 FIVE CORNERS - Iron Works Music
2001 Live to 2-Track - Iron Works Music
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Pete Vash was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on Tuesday, January 24, 1961, four days into the New Frontier. Earlier in the day Robert Allen Zimmerman arrived in New York City for the first time, and promptly made his way to Café Wha? Later that night, Bob Cousy and Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to a 125 - 112 victory over the New York Knickerbockers.
Pete experienced his first guitar at age 3 when his cousin, aspiring Folksinger Harriet Udin Aronow, performed at a family picnic. "I can still remember feeling absolutely awestruck. I was simply amazed that this "thing" was producing such an enchanting sound. It was pure magic".
Like many teenagers in the mid-seventies, Pete formed and/or joined a procession of garage bands. It was while attending Rutgers University in the early 80’s, however, that Pete reconnected to the acoustic guitar. "It just seemed like an obvious evolution, especially since it was during this time that I began to really focus on songwriting"
Pete has been a member of the Folk Alliance since 1996, and has supported himself for the last several years as a working musician performing a mix of Original Music and Tavern Favorites at Bar/Restaurants and hip listening rooms across New Jersey. He most closely aligns himself with the musical traditions of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, and Bruce Cockburn.
Leonard Bernstein has been quoted as saying…….."Folk-songs, and folk-dances are really the heart of all music, the very beginning of music, and you’d be amazed at how much of the big, complicated concert music we hear grows right out of them. But most important of all, folk-songs reflect the rhythms and accents and speeds of the way a people talk". Pete sees it the same way. "My musical influences are wide and varied, and they are reflected mostly in my sonic sensibilities. But at the core of each of my tunes there lives a simple folk song that speaks a plain truth in a language that feels right and natural. I look forward to sharing my brand of folk music with you".
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