A Twist In My Story!

Okay, so you’ve got this new crush on a girl in your class, and you don’t know how to woo her, because you aren’t a poet, and don’t know how to express your feelings for her. Or, if you want to get back with your ex and are clueless as to what you should do? Well, I have a band that would help you out, and make either of the circumstances easy for you. I present to you *drumrolls* Secondhand Serenade. You could be like the vocalist, pianist and guitarist John Vesely, who sang serenades to woo his wife (Candice Vesely). And funnily enough, he succeeded in winning her heart and marrying her. But sadly, three years after the release of his debut album – Awake – in 2005, and the re-release of this same album in 2007 with two additional songs, the couple broke up in 2008. And that’s when he released his second album – Twist in my Story – in 2008 in reference to his divorce. And that’s why if you notice, most of his songs are related to breakups and a few are related to wooing.

Now you might be wondering why the name “Secondhand Serenade”. Well the answer is simple. John used to sing these serenades to his love, Candice, and hence whoever else heard these serenades, heard them on a “Secondhand” basis. Hence the name.

The speciality of John Veselys first album is that, he is the only person performing everything! Being the founder of the “acoustic band”, he did the vocals, piano and guitar for the album Awake. He used the “multitrack recording system” to make it seem as if it was a band playing. He claims “in some ways a band is more powerful, but in other ways there are things you can do with one voice and one acoustic guitar that you couldn’t do with an army of musicians behind you.” Of course, once he gained recognition, the offers from labels kept pouring in. he finally signed up with Daniel Glass for Glassnote Records.

In 2006, Secondhand Serenade came #3 in Rolling Stones ranking for the “Best MySpace Artist”.

In January 2012, John left the Glassnote Records, and started his own Pledgemusic Campaign. He did not like the politics and expectations and pressure from the previous label, and hence quit it. Currently, the campaign give out signed CD’s, handwritten lyrics, VIP concert passes, chance to visit Disneyland with John. Around 25% of the money raised is being given to Ear Candy, a charity that provides musical instruments to children. Presently he is dating Veronica Ballestrini, and they both have a few duets in the new album – Undefeated – which is scheduled to release in the summer of 2014.

Trust me, when you listen to songs like – Fall for you, Awake, Your call, Twist in my Story, goodbye, Maybe and Stranger, you fall in love with this acoustic band. They have such beautiful songs which convey the depth and intensity with which you love the person you sing it to. These songs really touch the heart and make you feel for the singer. You can actually imagine the pain behind the lines he sings, and you will appreciate it. Even if this isn’t your favourite genre in music, you will really appreciate the lyrics and meaning. So here are a few lines from songs that I really love:

Your call – “And I am, tired of being all alone, and this solitary moment makes me want to come back home.” and “I was born to tell you I love you, and I am torn to do what I have to.”

Fall for You – “Because tonight will be the night that I fall for you, over again, don’t make me change my mind, or I won’t live to see another day, I swear its true. Because a girl like you is impossible to find, you’re impossible to find.”

Stranger – “I know that I can’t make you stay, but I would give my final breath to make you understand how beautiful you are.”

Awake – “I will share the air I breathe. I’ll give you my heart on a string. I just don’t wanna miss anything.”

Twist in my Story – “So you see, this world doesn’t matter to me. I’ll give up all I have just to breathe the same air as you till the day that I die. I can’t take my eyes off of you.”

Purushottam Chandra

I like to look into peoples thoughts and help them smile.

Leave a Reply