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The five-piece band deliver a rollicking alt-rock sound to the table.

The Vanity, a five-piece from Austin, Texas, is relatively new; Alex Dugan (vocals), Mic Vredenburgh (guitar), Matt Sledge (guitar), Augie Gmitter (bass) and David Grayson (drums) all met through mutual friends, but only formed in 2014. “We played and practiced together as a band for around a year or two before we decided to try playing a show or anything like that,” Dugan said. But their EP Strangers, which debuted in March, is a strong trio of songs that showcase the band having fun creatively. “It’s really the culmination of a lot of work, a lot of hours and a lot of destructive behavior,” lead singer Dugan said. Not to mention a proclivity for vodka.

Hometown: Originally, we’re from all over Texas: Houston, Austin, Dallas, Midland and El Paso.

Current residence: Austin, Texas

Describe your music to someone you've never met before.

Dark and ominous? No, just kidding. We set out to make the music we all wanted to hear and I think that’s reflected in the style. I’m not sure what we really sound like besides “us.” However, the generic answer I give in a bar is, “It’s alternative rock ... kind of pop-y, but alternative rock-pop-rock … I guess.”

Why did you choose to call yourselves The Vanity?

The name honestly means something different to all of us. When the idea was brought up, it just seemed to resonate with each of us for different reasons.

What inspired your EP Strangers?

We’ve been writing and developing this sound for almost a year now, but it’s time people heard us. I think on a subconscious level that’s why we named the EP Strangers, because at the end of the day, we’re all a bunch of f—ing strangers, and we’d love for you to hear our music … and no longer be strangers.

The songs really come from all over the place. At this point, we live to play with each other and I think that’s all the inspiration and drive we need.

Every song that we write usually evokes some kind of emotion in me … whatever that emotion becomes is what the lyrics eventually become.

You said "River" was inspired by a relatively dark moment in your life. (“You can credit addiction, narcissism and a girl that doesn’t need to be named for that.") Did coming out with a good song actually make up for that moment?

God, I hope so ... I think the band’s early success in general might have been more to do with it. We just started clicking around that time and really started to learn how each other ticked.

Did you all play instruments as kids?

I think everyone would agree with me in saying that we all picked up [music] earliest from our parents in different ways. I grew up singing since I was in diapers and picked up the guitar, piano and even drums at a certain point.

Dave and Matt have always been playing their instruments throughout childhood, while our guitarist Mic has a masters in cello performance, and our bassist Augie is classically trained in upright bass, piano … .

Who inspires you musically?

Individually we’re all into completely different stuff. Some days we’re listening the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac, but at the same time I’ve come accustomed to receiving One Direction-themed Snapchats from Dave.

What do you do for fun?

Tito’s Vodka.

What personal experiences helped you create Strangers?

Tito’s Vodka.

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  1. vickicb
    Vicki Castrobran Love it!

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