Nico Vega

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Nico Vega
The band Nico Vega
The band Nico Vega
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2005–2016, 2018–2020, 2023–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Jamila Weaver
Websitenicovega.com

Nico Vega is an American indie rock band formed in 2005 in Los Angeles, California, United States. They consist of lead vocalist Aja Volkman, lead guitarist Rich Koehler, and drummer Dan Epand.[1]

The group has released two albums Nico Vega (2009)[2] and Lead to Light (2014).[3][4][5] Billboard described Lead to Light as possessing "some of the most unstoppable pop-rock hooks heard all year."[4] After a hiatus announced on June 6, 2016, the band returned nearly two years later on April 6, 2018, when Volkman announced a new single and a return on her Instagram.[6]

In 2020, Volkman and Epand formed a new duo called TWWO, and released their debut EP "Pull the Knife Out".[7] The band reunited in 2023, with the return of Michael Pena, as they announced production of new music and an upcoming show in Los Angeles.

History[edit]

Aja Volkman started writing songs while in high school in Eugene, Oregon. Later she moved to Los Angeles and started performing on her own. She had hoped to eventually form a band. That happened when one night after a show in 2005, Mike Peña approached her about singing with him and Rich Koehler.[8] The band called themselves Nico Vega after Mike's mother. However, in 2007 Mike left the band to pursue acting and enjoy fatherhood.[9] At that point, Dan Epand joined the band as their new drummer and has been a driving force behind their continued creativity.

Nico Vega have garnered a reputation as an exciting live band, touring with Gavin Rossdale (of Bush) (2009),[10] Neon Trees (2009, 2012),[11] Manic Street Preachers (2009-2010),[12] Metric (2010),[13] She Wants Revenge (2011),[14] Blondie (2011),[15] and Imagine Dragons (2010, 2013, 2014)[16] among others. They have also opened for No Doubt and KISS.[17]

Nico Vega (2009)[edit]

Nico Vega released several independent EPs and recorded their own videos to get their music out. In 2009, Nico Vega released their first full-length album via MySpace Records. The album was co-produced by Tim Edgar, a friend of the band, and Linda Perry (Pink, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera). Linda produced three songs for the album: "So So Fresh", "Wooden Dolls" and "Gravity".[18][19] The album was mixed by Tchad Blake (The Black Keys, Sheryl Crow). In 2013, Nico Vega released the Fury Oh Fury EP[20] and re-released single "Beast", which garnered national popularity when it featured in the video game BioShock Infinite, resulting in more than 5 million streams and downloads. Drummer Dan Epand also features on the recent project of Andy Summers (of The Police), Circa Zero.[21][22]

Lead to Light (2014)[edit]

Second album Lead to Light was released via Five Seven Music on July 22, 2014.[23] The album was co-produced by Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons), Tony Hoffer (Beck, Fitz and the Tantrums, M83) and Tim Edgar (Nico Vega).[24] Single "I Believe (Get Over Yourself)" was co-written by Dan Reynolds (of Imagine Dragons).[23] Nico Vega performed "I Believe (Get Over Yourself)" on VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live.,[25] and was featured in the trailer for season four of the American Television show Girls. Track "Lightning" were co-written with members of She Wants Revenge. NPR premiered track "I'm On Fire" via All Songs Considered and offered it as a free download.[26] USA Today premiered track "No Home".[27]

Nico Vega performed at Life Is Beautiful Festival (2013), The Great Escape Festival (2014), and Reading and Leeds Festivals (2014).

Hiatus and reunions[edit]

On June 6, 2016, Aja Volkman announced in a post on the band's official Facebook page, that Nico Vega was taking an indefinite hiatus. Aja went on to apologize to fans for not staying in better communication, while also thanking fans for their continued support over the years. In regard to if this meant the band was breaking up, Aja said, "I can't say that it's over forever, because nobody knows the future. But it is over for now."

On April 5, 2018, Volkman returned to Instagram to announce the return of the band and a new single, "Little Operator", which was released the following day.[6] This was followed up by the 5-song "Wars" EP, released September 14, 2018.[7]

In June 2020, Nico Vega was on hiatus, as Aja Volkman and Dan Epand have formed a new band called, “TWWO".

In December 2023, Nico Vega announced on social media that Nico Vega, along with Pena (with the exception of Weaver), have returned and are hosting an upcoming show in Los Angeles opening for Sainte Motel at the Bellweather. They also announced that they are making new music.[28][29]

Members[edit]

Current lineup

  • Aja Volkman – lead vocals (2005–2020, 2023–present)
  • Rich Koehler – lead guitar (2005–2020, 2023–present)
  • Michael Peña – drums (2005–2007) bass (2023–present)
  • Dan Epand – drums (2007–2020, 2023–present)

Other members

  • Jamila Weaver – bass (2012–2013)

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

EPs[edit]

  • Chooseyourwordspoorly (2006)[30]
  • Cocaine Cooked the Brain (2007)[31]
  • No Child Left Behind (2007)
  • Nico Vega Covers Nico Vega and Rod Stewart (2011)[32]
  • Fury Oh Fury (2013)[33] Heatseekers #17
  • Wars (2018)

Singles[edit]

Videography[edit]

List of music videos, with directors, showing year released
Title Year Director(s) Album
"Burn Burn" 2009 SKINNY Nico Vega
"Gravity" 2010 Marcus Dunstan
"So So Fresh" 2012 —
"We Are The Art" Daniel Epand We Are the Art - Single
"Easier" Easier - Single
"Beast" 2013 Fury Oh Fury EP
"I Believe (Get Over Yourself)" 2014 Lead to Light

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Nico Vega". The Lab Magazine. 2010-07-10. Archived from the original on 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  2. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - Nico Vega by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  3. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - Lead To Light by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2014-07-15. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  4. ^ a b "Nico Vega Premieres Hook-Filled New LP 'Lead to Light' (Listen)". Billboard.
  5. ^ "Nico Vega's Lead Singer Used To Make Out With Her Hand". MTV.
  6. ^ a b "Aja Volkman on Instagram: "For those of you who don't know, this is my band @nicovega we have been on a hiatus for a few years..... Here is our brand new song Little…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
  7. ^ a b "Wars by Nico Vega". 14 September 2018.
  8. ^ Matthews, Edward (2014-02-13). "Nico Vega aiming for wider reach". UTSanDiego.com. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  9. ^ Jeff Hahne (January 27, 2009). "Nico Vega blog". Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  10. ^ "Nico Vega and Gavin Rossdale – HOB Anaheim – Show Review | Racket Magazine". Racketmag.com. 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  11. ^ Merrill, Amy (2012-06-09). "Neon Trees Show Boise Love and Affection | Cobweb". Boise Weekly. Archived from the original on 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  12. ^ "Show Review: Manic Street Preachers and Nico Vega at The Fillmore, 9/24/09". Spinningplatters.com. 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  13. ^ "Music - Metric w/ Nico Vega - Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA (03.26.10)". 411mania.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-08. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  14. ^ "Concert review: She Wants Revenge and Nico Vega cook at the Firebird, Tuesday, June 7 : KDHX Blog". Kdhx.org. 2011-06-08. Archived from the original on 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  15. ^ Ray Cummings (2011-09-29). "Blondie, Nico Vega". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  16. ^ Cody Clark (2013-05-16). "Nico Vega in sync with Imagine Dragons at UCCU Center : The Ticket". Heraldextra.com. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  17. ^ "Video: Nico Vega - "We Are The Art"". Indie Rock Reviews. 2011-09-27. Archived from the original on 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  18. ^ "Ready For Another Gear Change - Nico Vega". Gigwise. 2009-04-14. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  19. ^ "Nico Vega - Nico Vega | Credits". AllMusic. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  20. ^ "Nico Vega Unleash Heavy Hooks on 'Fury Oh Fury' EP Premiere | Music News". Rolling Stone. 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  21. ^ "Nico Vega Drummer Dan Epand Checks In". Drumheadmag.com. 2014-06-22. Archived from the original on 2014-07-26. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  22. ^ "Circa Zero Performs "Levitation"". YouTube. 2014-04-30. Retrieved 2014-07-23.[dead YouTube link]
  23. ^ a b "PRESS RELEASE: Nico Vega Launches New Single "I Believe" Kicks Off Tour with Imagine Dragons". Nico Vega. 2014-02-10. Archived from the original on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  24. ^ "Nico Vega Premieres Hook-Filled New LP 'Lead to Light' (Listen)". Billboard. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  25. ^ ""I Believe (Get Over Yourself) (Big Morning Buzz Live)" by Nico Vega | Show Performance". VH1.com. 2014-05-06. Archived from the original on May 7, 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  26. ^ "New Mix: Premieres From Nico Vega, Joe Henry, More : All Songs Considered". NPR. 2014-05-10. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  27. ^ "Song premiere: Nico Vega opens the doors to 'No Home'". Usatoday.com. 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  28. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  29. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  30. ^ "iTunes - Music - chooseyourwordspoorly by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  31. ^ "iTunes - Music - Cocaine Cooked the Brain by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2007-07-31. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  32. ^ "iTunes - Music - Nico Vega Covers Nico Vega & Rod Stewart - EP by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  33. ^ "iTunes - Music - Fury Oh Fury EP by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  34. ^ "Nico Vega - Beast". YouTube. 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2014-07-23.[dead YouTube link]
  35. ^ "iTunes - Music - Beast (Extended Version) - Single by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  36. ^ Monstercat: Uncaged (2013-06-22), Vicetone vs. Nico Vega - Beast [Monstercat Official Music Video], archived from the original on 2021-12-20, retrieved 2019-04-19
  37. ^ "iTunes - Music - Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Single by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
  38. ^ "Nico Vega - I Believe (Get Over Yourself)". YouTube. 2014-06-19. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
  39. ^ "iTunes - Music - I Believe (Get Over Yourself) - Single by Nico Vega". Itunes.apple.com. 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
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