Front Row - John Vesley

Vesley Continues to Secondhand Serenade the World
Third Album Serenades Fans to "Hear Me Now"

By: Ashley Seymor, Senior, Smithtown HS, Smithtown, NY

TeenNewsNet Entertainment Columnist

John Vesley, aka Secondhand Serenade, is quickly becoming a global pop star. After successful releases of his first two albums and the Top 30 single “Fall for You,” which sold more than 2.2 million digital downloads, Vesley is once again hitting the road to promote the release of his third album “Hear Me Now.”   Although he is looking to the future, Vesley shares with me that his past experiences, from recording and performing his first two albums, helped shape and form the songs on his newest release.  

I had the opportunity to conduct a phone interview with Vesley to discuss the growth and touring of the band. We were also given the chance to attend one of his shows, as well as to question him on a more personal level.  

According to Vesley the solo project, aka the “band,” formed approximately 2 years ago. The name, “Secondhand Serenade,” really emphasized the voice and emotion that Vesley wanted to convey to the public in his songs. “The name meant something to me,” he stated, “I wanted it to be as if I was serenading the audience with my songs.”

Besides being the lead singer of Secondhand Serenade, Vesley himself writes all of the songs, including “Fall for You,” and the new single, “Hear Me Now,” which, to Vesley,  is the most “interesting and effective song” on the album. When asked what his inspiration is when writing a song, his response was that it “depends on what the time is – something will eventually spark an idea.” To him, the most important thing is to “always be available” because you never know when you’ll get an idea for the next great song.

Secondhand Serenade has been touring for the past 2 weeks promoting the new album, “Hear Me Now,” and “it is just this amazing experience,” Vesley commented. “I’ve been friends with everyone I’ve met and my favorite part is I get to watch other bands live, as well as the constant touring.” It is obvious that any performer loves what they do in any part of the world; however, there are always a couple of places that have a definitive value to that performer. For Vesleyy, playing in Gicarda, Indonesia, will always be the top of his list. “There is no other way to put it than it just being a fantastic show!” Vesley went on to say that “there was a packed audience with about 35,000 fans just watching me play: it was so magical – so surreal.”

When not consumed with the glamor, Vesley stated that he still enjoys “playing a lot of music, obviously.” He also produces, skateboards, and cooks in his spare time. “Cooking is one of my major passions besides music,” according to Vesley, “anytime I can get near a stove I just get so excited.”

As Vesley loves to cook, he still would put down a frying pan in exchange for playing a guitar.  To him, 'cooking' music for his fans gives him the greatest pleasure “I greatly appreciates all their support,” he stresses.  Like any good chef,  Vesley knows you can not make an appetizing dish without the proper ingredients… And his fans are the most important part of his recipe for success.  “It’s the fans project as much as mine and I hope they remain a part of it by staying involved online. I always “want to reach out to my fans on a personal level, because my performances are not just for myself.”

On the night of August 10^th, at the Gramercy in New York City, I experienced how Vesley brings the audience into his music.  It was an amazing performance that I will never forget! The songs he performed were obvious that they weren’t written based on “fake” events, but rather emotions that couldn’t be explained other than through song; they effected him on a personal level that led to a very emotional performance. Throughout the show he was very animated, often engaging the audience in conversations and getting them enthused about the next song he was going to sing.   Additionally, while performing, Vessely was sporting white glasses; though it wasn’t necessarily for style. When he took off his glasses, it was revealed that he had two black eyes that he explained away with his story of being “jumped in Boston.” Despite the obvious setback of that event, he went on to perform with a vast amount of emotion, promoting his new songs as well as several of his old ones. The audience sang along the entire time and no one could stay in their seats.

After the curtain went down I met Vesley backstage where he discussed his future. He shared that his major goal is for his albums to reach a lot more people, as well as another worldwide tour.  Eventually he wants to see himself as a career artist too.