:: Band Bios

varnish attribute their sound to their diverse backgrounds, eclectic musical interests, and other experiences and arts that influence the members. They credit their organic style of song composition and their relationships with each other as well. varnish are:

Amber Bird - Vocals. Amber provides vocals and lyrics for varnish. She is also currently handling the web sites and other non-musical aspects of the band. She and Jason decided to form varnish in early 2007 when her writing focus switched from fiction and poetry to lyrics.

The band quickly stole Amber away from her goal to revive her acting career when she realised that this used her passion for writing and performing, whilst letting her dig into her greater, lifelong passion for music. Like the rest of varnish, Amber's musical influences are, as she says, "embarrassingly eclectic." In addition to music, her lyrics and performance bring together the influence of her interest in a variety of arts ("both the so-called fine arts and the more day-to-day things like movies, spoken word, and good graffiti"), her past experiences and the experiences of those around her, and an assortment of troubles and triumphs as well as fears and hopes for the future.

Get further insight into Amber by visiting her blog.

Amber is currently listening to:

  • Post Adolescence
  • Manic Street Preachers: Generation Terrorists
  • Amanda Palmer: Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
  • Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Baby 81
  • Lots of custom playlists

See what Amber is listening to whilst sat at her computer by visiting her Last.fm page.

Jason Cope - Guitar. Jason plays acoustic and electric guitar. Having seen the music industry up close from a young age, Jason provides an extra-discriminating ear. Jason is currently listening to:

  • The Clientelee: That Night, A Forest Grew EP
  • Antony and the Johnstons: Another World EP
  • Beck: Modern Guilt
  • The Streets: Original Pirate Material
  • John Lennon: Plastic Ono Band
  • MGMT: Oracular Spectacular

Charles Richter - Bass. Charles plays bass guitar. He joined up soon after Amber and Jason decided to start the band. Charles is currently listening to:

  • Muse: Black Holes and Revelations
  • Art Brut: Bang Bang Rock & Roll
  • The Cure: Kiss me Kiss Me Kiss Me; Wish
  • Firewater: The Man on the Burning Tightrope
  • Sonic Youth: Dirty

The Black Box & Alesis. varnish are eager to have a lovely, living drummer. While they sort out their prospects, the Black Box & his sexy girlfriend Alesis provide most the beats. The two hope to settle down someday and have lots of baby drum kits.