Vasudeva

Vasudeva is an instrumental rock band from New Jersey. The group consists of Corey Mastrangelo on guitar, Grant Mayer on guitar and keys, and Derek Broomhead on drums. The band name comes from a character in Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha.

Style and background

The band develops instrumental music that draws on post-rock, ambient, lo-fi and electronic elements, alongside a strong rhythmic feel. Their sound also sits between post-rock and more dance-oriented music, reflecting the members’ upbringing between quieter New Jersey streets and nearby New York City. Their music grows out of a long-standing friendship from high school.

Releases and production

No Clearance, their second full-length album, is written over the course of late 2014 to late 2015 after the band returns home from its first European tour. The record is self-recorded and uses effect pedals, tape players, samplers, drum machines and a Rhodes piano, with mastering by Jack Shirley at The Atomic Garden.

Generator is written, produced and engineered by the band over three months in early spring with help from long-time friend Kevin Dye. It uses Logic Pro X for the first time and brings in MIDI, drum machines, synth sounds, electronic drums, voice notes recorded by Mayer while commuting in New York City, real keys and reel-to-reel tape machines. The record also includes tracks such as “Stockmar”, “Drop”, “Yamaha”, “Breaks”, “III” and “Only On”.

Live activity and touring

Vasudeva tours with bands including TOTORRO, Head North, gates, CHON, Dance Gavin Dance, Eidola, The Physics House Band and sleepmakeswaves.