bio

The Verna Cannon was formed in the fall of 1996 when songwriting collaborators Dan Cook and Molly Ledford were joined by bassist Jay Barry and drummer Jonathan Bradley. The band self-released The Verna Cannon in 1998, and, two years later, Movie Star Faces came out on the Headhunter/Cargo label based in San Diego, CA. Referred to by Alternative Press as a "sly pop group [who] proves that strength can lie in understatement," The Verna Cannon writes catchy dirges and pokes nearly imperceptible fun in the midst of melancholy.

Quotes from Reviews

"The Verna Cannon has a certain elan that creates sepia-tinted atmosphere...full of memories left in a shoebox in the dusty corners of your brain, packed away with old videotapes of you and your siblings in a wading pool." Spin.com

"There's a timelessness to the group's songs which set them apart...." Alternative Press

"Even the band's original songs resonate like classic covers." Splendid e-zine

"Following in the warmhearted yet stark tradition of works by tenderly minimalist bands such as Mazzy Star and Low, Movie Star Faces...is a beautifully bundled blanket of sentiment and passions." CMJ

 

Notes on the members of The Verna Cannon

Molly Ledford
Molly sings, writes lyrics and plays guitar in the band, which has given her many opportunities to wallow in what she hopes is the pretty end of sadness. Her side project, Lunch Money, is a band that performs a bouncier set for children. The Verna Cannon once played for children, eliciting this beloved comment from one sevenish audience member: "Your music makes me sleepy."  

Dan Cook
Dan plays violin and guitar, reads The Economist, drinks Pepsi and is the editor of Free Times, an alternative weekly in Columbia, SC. The rest of us first knew him as the bassist of Lay Quiet Awhile, fronted by Danielle Howle. Should we stray from our slowcore tendencies, Dan can be counted on to reel us back.

Jay Barry
Jay plays bass. He also handles all design and web duties and nowadays engineers all of our recordings. Therefore he is extremely valuable. We have him insured.

Jonathan Bradley
Jonathan plays drums and whatever else he can get his hands on. He also sings backup. Jonathan has also toured extensively as percussionist for Iron and Wine and is usually officially or unofficially in another four or five bands at any time. A team of scientists is working to unlock the secret of his limitless energy.