Artist description With swank sophistication and an unshakable cool, throaty alto, the waif-like singer/songwriter (and quintessencial "bad girl") Taylor Marks fronts a powerhouse groove section led by drummer Jimmy Musto and his counterpart, bass guitarist Derek Frank.

Music Style Saucy, slow-driving, dirty funk - Late Night Music.

Musical Influences Billie Holiday * Prince * Sade *

Similar Artists Our most common comparison is Fiona Apple -

Artist History Historically (and poetically), the saucy chanteuse, Taylor Marks and her drummer, Jimmy Musto fell in love at first sight on a hot July night in 2000 and the moody, late night funk/jazz/alterna-pop band VESSTA was born before the sun came up the following morning. Two weeks after their introduction, Marks moved into Musto’s Topanga Canyon, CA home and six months later, just before midnight in the dead of winter (wearing UGG boots and lingerie), the musical match made in heaven exchanged vows in their living room. At first, recording sessions were limited to a dank basement and an 8-track until a muddy cassette tape demo fell within earshot of an independent investor in December 2000 and their obsolete basement was transformed into a multi-track recording studio called The Dungeon. By New Years 2001, production of VESSTA’s debut CD was in full swing. "There isn't anything sweeter than late, late night in The Dungeon with a bottle of wine, a cigarette and Neumann in my face," Marks says with a cool indifference that almost seems contrary (with the exception of the word 'Neumann' - which she quite literally purred while throwing a vixenish look across the room at the microphone mounted, warm and waiting for the sun to go down and band to set up. "The Dungeon is like VESSTA's fifth band member - all of our music happens in that room under pretty decadent conditions and it bleeds straight through to tape." Currently, VESSTA is in the studio wrapping up the independent production of their forthcoming debut CD. Mixdown will be engineered by mixer/producer Billy Moss (Stevie Nicks, Gin Blossoms), owner of Vintage Recorders, at his newly built studio in Sedona, AZ (summer/fall 2002).

Group Members Vocals: TAYLOR MARKS, Drums: JIMMY MUSTO, Bass: DEREK FRANK, Keys: JAMIESON TROTTER

Additional Info CD's are for sale exclusively at Wendy's California Trail & Wateringhole, 1704 N. Topanga Cyn Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290. I'm a bartender there (and local celebrity) & CD's are $10 (or whatever you can afford - plus a fat tip). 310-455-3191. Hey... ya gotta start somewhere right??

Location Topanga, CA - USA

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