The Veils

The Veils are an English/New Zealand rock band based in London, formed in 2001 and fronted by Finn Andrews. Their line-up includes Liam Gerrard, Sophia Burn, Henning Dietz, Dan Raishbrook, Raife Burchell and Finn Andrews, with Cass Basil joining later on bass. Andrews is the son of Barry Andrews, a founding member of XTC.

Sound and live reputation

The band is associated with art rock and rock, and is often described through comparisons with Jeff Buckley, The Birthday Party, The Smiths and Joy Division. Their performances are known for their emotional intensity, driven by Andrews’ distinctive voice and stage presence.

Early releases and line-up changes

The Veils first release is their debut album, The Runaway Found, which appears in Spain late in 2003 and then internationally in January 2004 with a different track listing. The single “Lavinia” appears on Rough Trade in November 2003. The album goes gold worldwide the following year. The original line-up, which includes Oli Drake, Ben Woollacott and Adam Kinsella, breaks up in late 2004, after which Andrews returns to New Zealand and rebuilds the band.

Andrews rehearses with former schoolmates Liam Gerrard and Sophia Burn, and the group then reconnects with Dan Raishbrook and Henning Dietz in London in 2005. Gerrard leaves during the American tour in 2007.

Albums and recording

The second album, Nux Vomica, is recorded at Underbelly Studios in Los Angeles with producer Nick Launay and features string arrangements by Jane Scarpantoni, known for work with Lou Reed. The album is released in 2006 and appears on nine critics’ best-of-year lists.

After extensive touring, the band records new material while living in a garage in Oklahoma City, then returns to London in 2008 to work on its third album with producer Graham Sutton. These sessions take place at West Point Studios over three weeks, and Sun Gangs is released in 2009.

Later work and label activity

In 2010 the band starts work on new material. It later leaves Rough Trade after almost nine years and sets up its own label, Pitch Beast Records. The seven-track EP Troubles of the Brain is produced by Finn Andrews and Bernard Butler and recorded at Andrews’ home studio in London.

The band releases Time Stays, We Go in 2013, followed by Total Depravity in 2016. In 2023 it releases ...And Out of the Void Came Love, which comes together after a long period of difficulty with songwriting and after the birth of Andrews’ first child.

Other notes

In 2016 David Lynch says Finn Andrews appears in the next series of Twin Peaks. During the COVID period, Dietz and Burn leave the band, and Cass Basil joins as bassist.