Hello Rockstars! Today’s Artist of the Week is Rockabilly Band Dynamos The Velveteen Flowers!
Here’s their story in their own words, enjoy guys!
All Photos Courtesy Of Catherine Neilan.
VMS:
When did you start writing and performing your music.
What’s your backstory and current lineup.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
I started playing music when I was 15, but didn’t really start writing and performing until I was 17 or so. After a number of years hitting the pavement and paying my dues, I finally got signed to Warner Bros. and then later was signed to EMI Music worldwide. I’ve been fortunate to tour the world, I had my music videos air on MTV back when it was popular over in Europe, and my music has been licensed in film and television throughout Europe, Asia, and America, including shows on HBO, NBC, TBS, Discovery Channel and Showtime.
And in 2023 I was blessed to be up for a GRAMMY® Nomination for an album I wrote and recorded with my dear friend and GRAMMY® Award-Winning trumpeter, Bijon Watson. All-in-all it has been an interesting ride so far.
Nicolas Kittle (Drummer):
I don’t write music. I’m the lowly drummer in the back. I started beating things at the age of 10 after I satisfied my parents with a few years of piano study. Oh yeah, and I was a performing Blue Man member in the world-renowned Blue Man Group here in Las Vegas for a while.
VMS:
What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
Man, that answer is way too long of a list. But in short, I started playing music because my favorite band is The Police. If it wasn’t for Sting and The Police, I would never have picked up a bass, a guitar, or sung. But I grew up with the great New Wave artists of the 80’s like The Cure, U2, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, The Stray Cats, Sade, The Smiths, Bauhaus… you get the picture.
Nicolas Kittle (Drummer):
Man, I listen to everything and anything…except gangster rap. Growing up tap dancing exposed me to a lot of cool music especially jazz/funk. It was running errands with my mom that I fell in love with smooth jazz.
I would hang out in our Chrysler Minivan and finish listening to Gloria Estefan’s, “The Rhythm is gonna Get you” or Sade’s, “Smooth operator” I couldn’t get enough of that shit. My older brother played bass. He and I would jam out in our Michigan basement, usually a lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
VMS:
What’s your writing process and inspiration for your lyrics.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
I typically start with a groove idea in my head, then I’ll lay down some chords, or I’ll start with a bass riff idea. I was a bass player for years before I turned to playing the guitar live. I don’t write the lyrics until last, but generally they’re about love and loss… you know, the same shit everyone has been writing about for years.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
The only writing I do in the band is my own bass parts. Niles does all the songwriting and even has a hand in my bass parts as well. It’s a fun way to collaborate because I come from a background of music theory and education while Niles is all about vibes and feel and rule-breaking. Our two styles combine to make some really cool shit in my opinion.
VMS:
I love your songs “Sleek Cat Slippy”, “Swing Kitten (Bad Bad Girl)” and “Bebop Baby”. What is the inspiration or story behind these songs.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
Thank you so much! It’s funny, with “Sleek Cat Slippy” I had this lyrical idea in mind that the main character is a love thief (metaphorically a cat burglar), but he steals women’s hearts.
“Swing Kitten (Bad Bad Girl)”… that’s actually an interesting story. Years ago when I had just gotten signed to Warner Bros., my music career was just taking off and I was at the time invited to many different Hollywood parties. One night I met, sat down and talked with Dita Von Teese.
The funny thing was, was that I had no idea who she was. She simply introduced herself with her birth name. We chatted for a while, and all I kept thinking was how incredibly nice she was – just a down-to-earth girl. I literally had no idea who she was. Years later, I wrote what I call “Swing Kitten” as an ode to her career and what she’s made of herself. I’m incredibly happy for her.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
I know the answer to this, but I won’t tell it better than Niles will.
VMS:
Tell me about your EP: “Cadillac Desert”.
What was the inspiration and process of writing it.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
I honestly had no idea that I was writing an EP for this new band “The Velveteen Flowers”. I was just writing songs and venturing down the Rockabilly and Swing music road. As I was writing, they just seemed to flow out of me. It was strange. I love Rockabilly music. In fact, my first tattoo is of The Stray Cats logo on my arm that I got when I was 18.
I never thought I’d write or record, or even perform that style of music, but I’m so glad I finally am. As I was wrapping up all the tunes, the name “Cadillac Desert” just came to me as a symbol of Las Vegas – glitz in the middle of nowhere.
However, I should point out that Cadillac Desert is a book written by Marc Reisner about the American West and its disappearing water.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
Just before Velveteen Flowers was formed, Niles introduced me to a band called NightBeats. Specifically, their Levitation Sessions video in the Mojave Desert. That vibe has always at least been in the back of my mind when recording and performing with Velveteen.
Listen to “Cadillac Desert” on Spotify:
VMS:
Which local artist would you like to work with and why.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
No one’s coming to mind, but we’re open to performing with anyone really… as long as they’re cool.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
Because of my answer to question 5, I would love to share a bill with NightBeats! As far as local bands, there are so many great groups and artists in Vegas. If I tried to narrow down my favorites, it would look more like a festival lineup than a one-night only show.
VMS:
What’s your overall theme or message of your music.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
Swing, baby.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll. Minus the drugs.
VMS:
Do you have a favorite song that you like to perform.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
They’re all really fun to play, but I’d say that “Sleek Cat Slippy” is a hellraising good time.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
“Stir My Soul”. It’s not on the EP and it’s not a song that we play too often yet. In fact, Niles didn’t even write it for this specific group, so it still feels like it’s in the workshop. But it’s a slow, dirty New Orleans dirge. I’m a sucker for that style.
VMS:
Do you have any crazy or interesting stories from working in the music scene.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
Hmm… I’ve been in the music scene for a long time, traveled the world on music tours, crazy studio shenanigans; let’s just say that I’ve lived a very rock n’ roll lifestyle. Sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll to its absolute fullest. Stories that I can’t share. I’ve settled down a lot since then. I don’t know how I’m still alive, if I’m honest.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
Of the stories I’m willing to share, one that always stands out for me happened at the Park MGM nightclub, On The Record. For a long time, I played bass in Vegas hip hop group, The Lique. We were the house band for the opening of On The Record and had the opportunity to open for many acts such as Anderson Paak, Questlove, KRS-One, and many others.
One night, we were playing our set and out of nowhere, Wyclef Jean jumped on stage with us and started singing Guantanamera with us! After that, he started rapping, then our MC, Rasar, started rapping. They were trading, freestyling, the place was going nuts. We hung out and talked to him for a bit afterwards. Amazing dude. Amazing energy. One of my favorite memories.
Nicolas Kittle (Drummer):
Probably… I have a bad memory. Give me a sec to check my late-night drunken journal entries.
VMS:
What does the future hold for The Velveteen Flowers.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the music industry is that you never know what the future holds. But then again, isn’t that everyone in life? We’ll see what the Gods want.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass): I see us performing in Europe and Asia. Though I’m not excited about figuring out how to get my upright bass over there.
Nicolas Kittle (Drummer): World domination.
VMS:
What have been your personal pros and cons of being a band here in Las Vegas.
What do you think the scene could improve on and what are your hopes for the future of the Vegas Music Scene.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Nicolas Kittle (Drummer): The strip is not really open to original music which really limits the good venues to perform at. The off-strip venues that are available, either don’t have very good acoustics or don’t pay, but it’s not really about the money anyways.
And there’s so much to do in this amazing city, that sometimes it’s difficult to get people out to the shows…especially on a school night. But I love this city. It’s been very good to me. I hope to give back someday somehow.
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
I second that motion, Mr. Kittle.
Nick “VIP” Schmitt (Upright Bass):
Can’t put it better than Kittle.
VMS:
What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.
The Velveteen Flowers:
Niles Thomas (Singer/Guitarist):
Wanting more.
Nicolas Kittle (Drummer):
Unfettered exuberance.
VMS Thoughts:
What I’ve always loved about The Velveteen Flowers is their amazing musical chemistry, absolutely wonderful Musicianship, and music that not only is infectious, but keeps you rocking out on the dance floor.
Rockabilly and Swing Music have always had a special place in my heart, and their sound definitely keeps to that amazing tradition but still feels very fresh and staying true to who they are as artists. If you haven’t checked out their EP I greatly encourage you too! It has all the fun, joy and ruckus one could expect from a band like The Velveteen flowers. It will definitely not disappoint you.
I also encourage you if you get a chance to see them live, please go do it!! They put on one hell of a live show and give their all for their audience. You can tell they have a huge passion for what they do and they have fun doing it, which makes it even more an amazing intense experience for the audience and listener as well. Luckily that chemistry that they have on their EP definitely translates beautifully into their live performances and will truly give you one of a kind, amazing experience that cannot be topped.
I truly cannot wait for the future of The Velveteen Flowers and we’re they take their evolution. It’s already one hell of a ride, so I can’t even imagine what other musical gems they have in store for us.
For more Information on The Velveteen Flowers, please check out their website.
—VMS