Biography

Vir are a post punk, noise pop trio based in the SF Bay Area,who love fuzz pedals, loops and lots of delay.

Comprised of Sam Sloane (Vox, Guitar) Natasha Arens (Bass) and Jeff Paul (Drums), Vir experiment with elements of post punk, psychedelic noise and shoegaze to conjure up a glacial, dark and dynamic sound. Based in Oakland, CA but with roots in Christchurch New Zealand, Vir has a binding affinity with many Kiwi post-punk trios such as the Gordons, Bailter Space and HDU.

Vir released their 1st full Length "Shadow of a Mountain" in 2008. 2nd lp "Gillespie" appeared on Vibraphone records in July 2010 along with several elaborate DIY music videos.
Currently the band is working toward their 3rd release with a tentative release date in Fall 2011.

Instrumentation

Sam Sloane - Vocals, loops, Guitar
Natasha Arens - Bass!
Jeff Paul - Drums!
 

Discography

Engineers (lp May 2012)
Gillespie (lp 2010 vibraphone records)
Shadow of a Mountain (lp 2008)

Links

Select Gillespie Reviews

Vir conjure up an almighty racket on their second album. Gillespie may scare off traditional shoegazers but this record provides the muscular presence the genre is so often criticised for lacking.

- Leonards Lair

Between the swooping guitar riffs, the clever bass lines and the slightly rough, spaced-out vocals, Gillespie has an epic sound. Keep an eye on this band. - East Bay Express

Vir brings us a sound that we here in the Coachella Valley are desperately trying to find in the local scene. The guitar riffs added with a strong rhythm section creates a solid foundation for trance inducing black magic. - Indie Win

Vir's songs are dark, vaguely ominous tension-builders created out of relentlessly pulsing bass lines and bathed in guitar fuzz.  And when the tension is released, it should be enough to scare the leather pants off of Bono. - Weekly Volcano

Well crafted, hypnotic and intoxicating, Vir should absolutely be a breakout band with this material.

- Indie Music