Vega 4
Encyclopedia
Vega4 was a four-piece band formed in London. Johnny McDaid
was the band's lead vocalist and songwriter, joined on guitar by Bruce Gainsford. Gavin Fox
was the band's bassist and Bryan McLellan the drummer.
McDaid is from Northern Ireland
and Fox is from Ireland
, McLellan is from Canada
and Gainsford is from New Zealand
. Vega4 was signed to Columbia Records
in the UK, Epic Records
in the US
, and produced two albums, You and Others
produced by Jacknife Lee
(U2
, Snow Patrol
, Bloc Party
) and "Satellites" produced by Ron Aniello. The band played at the 2007 SXSW festival.
Gavin Fox, formerly of the band Idlewild
, joined Vega4 in December 2006 when bassist Simon Walker left.
Vega4 premiered in the United States when its single "Life is Beautiful" was featured on the 2 November 2006 episode of Grey's Anatomy
and on the One Tree Hill
episode, "Prom Night At Hater High".
Vega4's song "You and Me" was used by RTÉ
2fm to re-launch the station's new look and lineup. The band completed its first US tour in April 2007 in San Diego, California
. Vega4 had been touring with Augustana
for the previous several weeks. The band received much media attention in the US, with major radio support for "Life Is Beautiful" and the rumors of Gainsford's on-again, off-again romance with Scarlett Johansson
.
"Life is Beautiful" also featured in the 2010 film
, Streetdance, and previously in 2008's comedy film
, Sex Drive
.
Johnny McDaid
Johnny McDaid, is a writer, musician, producer, engineer and recording artist.McDaid, who comes from Derry, Northern Ireland, was formerly the singer and songwriter of the band Vega4, whose album "You and Others" was produced by Jacknife Lee...
was the band's lead vocalist and songwriter, joined on guitar by Bruce Gainsford. Gavin Fox
Gavin Fox
For the Canadian Actor see Gavin Fox Gavin Bernard Fox is bass player with the band Concerto For Constantine. He has also been in the band Vega 4, Scottish rock band Idlewild, and Irish indie rock band Turn.-References:...
was the band's bassist and Bryan McLellan the drummer.
McDaid is from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and Fox is from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, McLellan is from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Gainsford is from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Vega4 was signed to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in the UK, Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and produced two albums, You and Others
You and Others
You and Others is the second album by British-based band, Vega4. It follows on three years after their debut album, Satellites. It was produced by Jacknife Lee, and released on October 30, 2006 on Sony BMG.-Track listing:#"You & Me" – 3:26...
produced by Jacknife Lee
Jacknife Lee
Garret "Jacknife" Lee is an Irish music producer and mixer. He has worked with a variety of artists, including The Cars, U2, R.E.M., Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, AFI, The Hives, Weezer, Vega4 and Editors.-Biography:...
(U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, Bloc Party
Bloc Party
Bloc Party are a British Indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke , Russell Lissack , Gordon Moakes , and Matt Tong...
) and "Satellites" produced by Ron Aniello. The band played at the 2007 SXSW festival.
Gavin Fox, formerly of the band Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
, joined Vega4 in December 2006 when bassist Simon Walker left.
Vega4 premiered in the United States when its single "Life is Beautiful" was featured on the 2 November 2006 episode of Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
and on the One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
episode, "Prom Night At Hater High".
Vega4's song "You and Me" was used by RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
2fm to re-launch the station's new look and lineup. The band completed its first US tour in April 2007 in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Vega4 had been touring with Augustana
Augustana (band)
Augustana is an American rock band from San Diego, California who are signed to the Epic Records record label. They are best known for their singles, "Boston" and "Sweet and Low."-Beginning years:...
for the previous several weeks. The band received much media attention in the US, with major radio support for "Life Is Beautiful" and the rumors of Gainsford's on-again, off-again romance with Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
.
"Life is Beautiful" also featured in the 2010 film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Streetdance, and previously in 2008's comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
, Sex Drive
Sex Drive (film)
Sex Drive is a 2008 sex comedy film about a high school graduate who goes on a cross-country road trip to hook up with a girl he met online. It is based on the novel All the Way, by Andy Behrens. The film was directed by Sean Anders, and stars Josh Zuckerman, Clark Duke, Amanda Crew, and Katrina...
.
EPs
- Caterpillar [demo] (2000)
- Better Life (2001)
- Drifting Away Violently (2002)
Singles
- "Sing" (2001)
- "Radio Song" (2001)
- "Love Breaks Down" (2002)
- "Drifting Away Violently" (2002)
- "Better Life" (2002)
- "Time of our Lives", with Paul van Dyk (2003)
- "You & Me" (2006)
- "Traffic Jam" (2006)
- "Life is Beautiful" (2007)
- "Tearing Me Apart" (radio only) (2007)