While popular Vancouver pop rock band Hey Ocean is on a bit of a hiatus, band member David Vertesi and the other members took the time to explore solo projects.
Vertesi brings his solo show to the Slice, Oct. 20 with Hey Ocean members drummer Johnny Andrews and keyboardist Andrew Rasmussen. Rosie June will be opening the show.
Vertesi just released the first single “ Loud Talker” off his upcoming second CD.
“ It’s an older song that I revamped,” he said.
“ I’ll be playing baritone guitar. I love the sound of it. And I get to explore that sonic part of the bass,” he said.
He is excited to tour with his band.
“We’re a unit,” he said of his bandmates.
“ Hey Ocean has been on a break over the past few months The past couple years have been crazy, so you need a break. The band wanted to work on their own projects,” he said adding he is working on his second solo CD as well as producing other people’s projects including a new EP from Hey Ocean bandmate Ashleigh Ball.
“It’s been described as sad, bad cruise ship music. But there is a lot of stuff happening in it,” he said.
He said the live show is going to be a lot of fun.
“ It will be mostly my solo songs. And maybe some Hey Ocean songs. A t least the ones I sing. I love singing them so you don’t have to twist my arm too much to sing them,” he said.
He is also excited to tour with Rosie June.
“ Her show is pretty mellow and eclectic and does some really cool versions of Sugar Ray songs. I never knew how sad Sugar Ray songs were until I heard her sing them,” he said.
The show begins at 9 p.m.