Versa (band)

Versa
Versa performing in 2013
Versa performing in 2013
Background information
OriginPort St. Lucie, Florida, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock, experimental rock, synthpop, post-hardcore (early)[1]
Years active2006–2015
LabelsFueled by Ramen
Past membersSierra Kay
Blake Harnage
Devin Ingelido
Nick Osborne
Jerry Pierce
Anthony Martone
Spencer Pearson
Anthony James
Josh Center
Ian Brown
Justin Osterhoudt
Websiteversa.fm

Versa (stylized as VERSA) was an American rock duo formed in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in 2006, as VersaEmerge. The group consisted of Blake Harnage (guitar, vocals, and programming) and Sierra Kay (lead vocals).[2] They had a revolving line-up, their most prolific being with bassist Devin Ingelido, who was a member from 2007 until 2011.[3]

Following self-releases, the band signed with record label Fueled by Ramen in late 2008 and released the VersaEmerge EP and their full-length debut Fixed at Zero (2010), which met with positive reviews from alternative critics.[4][5] The album didn't enter the Billboard 200 chart, but it ranked third on the Billboard Top Heatseekers.[6] After changing their name to Versa, the duo self-released the EP Neon on January 21, 2014.

Although the band was considered part of the emo pop scene and compared to other emo female-fronted bands, Versa's music style included experimental rock, space rock and electronic rock, as being influenced by artist Björk and band Muse.[7][8]

In a 2015 podcast, Sierra Kay announced that she and Blake were working on a new project under a new moniker, leaving Versa behind to not create confusion.[9] The project between the two never materialized. Kay instead went on to form the shoegaze band Neaux.

  1. ^ "23 post-hardcore tracks that definitely ruled your iPods in the 2000s". Alternative Press. 22 March 2021.
  2. ^ "In the summer of 2012." VersaEmergeMusic.com. October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference devin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "VersaEmerge Releases". VersaEmergeMusic.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "Fixed at Zero out today!". VersaEmergeMusic.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "VersaEmerge". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bjork was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Muse was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Pup Fresh Podcast Ep. No. 8 - Sierra Kusterbeck Interview". YouTube. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved July 7, 2015.