A guy and a girl stand in the center of the screen. Backs turned like an old shootout from a Western.  They begin to storm off, angry at each other and all of a sudden there's this breakthough. They both throw away their concerns, leave reality for a bit, run back in frame and jump in each other's arms. Cue the music of Vega4.

Vega4 is this melting pot of a cast that starts the way a lot of jokes do: "two Irishmen, a Kiwi and a Canadian walk into a bar." This foursome met and teamed up for the first time in London and hit it off from day one and now they're bringing their tunes to a venue near you, the Grand Emporium.

Their lineup unfolds like this: Johnny McDaid, vocals, guitar; Gavin Fox, bass; Bryan McLellan, drums; Bruce Gainsford, guitar. With those familiar elements in place -- two guitars, a bass, drums and vox -- they might sound like everyone else.  Yet on your first listen you'll hear the difference. Given the aerial guitar work of Gainsford when teamed up with the driving voice of McDaid and you find yourself in the middle of a great song.

If you're a fan of the TV dramedy, "Grey's Anatomy" you may already be and a fan and don't know it. Their single "Life is Beautiful" was featured on the show back in November. And when I say featured, I mean for nearly six minutes of a 6:18 second track.

Perhaps what's most interesting about this band isn't their ability to jump into the soundtrack world with their soaring guitars and uplifting lyrics. Perhaps it's the man behind the curtain, working magic in the studio on their debut album You And Others, Jacknife Lee. Check out his resume: Snow Patrol's Final Straw and Eyes Open, The Bloc Party's forthcoming A Weekend in the City, Editors, Kasabian, Run DMC, Eminem and this little Irish outfit trying to find their legs...U2 and their album How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. He's also responsible for the U2/Green Day pairing on "The Saints Are Coming."

Lee took on the job and became devoted to this band, working between his existing projects and sneaking in studio time whenever he could. Seeing as he's a busy guy, it took nine months to complete the album. Lee's master tweaking ability is very apparent on this poppy, yet very satisfying mix of well crafted music and intelligent lyrics. Everything comes together to form a nice, uplifting, happy song.

Vega4 comes to the Grand Emporium on January 21 in support of Augustana. If you're a fan of intelligent pop music and the bands listed above come out early and support the opening act. It should be a great night filled with resonating guitars, airy vocals and towering builds.

-- Concert Chris (email) 

Augustana/Vega 4
January 21, 2007
Grand Emporium [Map | Tickets]