Two Day Magazine

Making the leap across the pond

“When you spend 24 hours a day with each other, you’re going to disagree. But we’re so close, that it always works itself out,” says Coyle Girelli, lead singer of Your Vegas. “So close” could be an understatement, considering it is coming from a band that has given up almost everything for a chance at rock superstardom. Hailing from Otley, a small town outside of Leeds, England, Your Vegas is a band built on friendship and brotherhood. Following a U.K. tour and a couple of mildly successful indie EP’s, the band sold virtually everything and relocated to Hell’s Kitchen.

With an early sound reminiscent of the alterna-daze of Nirvana and the like, Coyle and co. survived a major label meltdown before recruiting producer David Bendeth – whose resume includes Breaking Benjamin and Paramore. Their sound took shape, and in January 2008, we saw the release of an EP entitled “A Town and Two Cities,” on Universal Records. The EP showcases a sonically charged wall of sound and startling pop hooks; radio-ready choruses and cathartic lyrics align the short set of songs; a mere preview to the full release of A Town, s which was released on April 22^nd.  While the production of the EP is polished and well constructed, the sound never gets corny or redundant, and while being compared to bands like Coldplay and The Killers, Your Vegas seems to march to their own beat.

It’s refreshing to see a band survive the shock of pop culture exposure and still remain authentic. The major label signage and accompanying buzz haven’t forced the band to compromise every iota of their individuality. While several of their songs like “Troubles Times” teeter on ballad territory, the soaring pop of Girelli’s bandmates provide the perfect backdrop. Embarking on a stateside tour with The Bravery back in January, Your Vegas is converting fans and rave reviews worldwide.

Regardless of the hype surrounding Your Vegas, Girelli hasn’t lost sight of the leaner years, calling a lot of their early shows “special and memorable.” “I guess the types of tours are different – we were playing smaller shows back then comparatively,” he says. “I love going back there to play.” Girelli also cites the emotive song, “Birds of Paradise” as a “good moment” during the show. Adding it to the set list while on tour with The Bravery, it’s become a crowd favorite. Featuring a chorus of “We're just soldiers fighting in a war against our own advice / we're just birds of paradise,” the track is available via the band’s myspace (www.myspace.com/yourvegas), and is on their debut album. “It’s plain to see all your seams are coming undone / don’t you know that life is all about having fun?” Girelli sings on the catchy track, “In My Head.” Regarding the importance of “fun” while on the road, Girelli assured me that “It’s been a learning process getting to this point. I feel like we’ve learned the balance between work and play.”