“Heartbeats never fade...” -- “Heartbeats”

Versant delivers epic electro-pop, and Heartbeats, the debut EP, documents a band eager to push the envelope of both the modern studio and the live stage. The brainchild of Carah Faye Charnow, current frontwoman of Grammy-nominated Shiny Toy Guns, and producer Daniel Johansson (who along with Carah joined Shiny Toy Guns in February of 2011), Versant dwells in the ether of great pop synthesists like M.I.A. and Arcade Fire -- artists who are redefining modern pop and creating a niche that extends deep into the mainstream. 

“Our goal was to start new chapters in our lives without drawing from our past ones,” explains Charnow about her collaboration with Johansson, who also produced the title track of 2009’s Crossing the Rubicon for fellow Swedes The Sounds. “This was truly a fresh start, and for that to be worth it, we really had to make sure everything was just how we wanted it.” A lengthy recording process yielded deft pop collages that meld the organic and the digital: at any moment, saloon-style pianos or otherworldly synth swoops will punctuate Charnow’s soaring, multi-layered vocals. Listeners are left continually surprised by what the next musical moment will reveal. “We had one rule for ourselves: ‘How does it make us feel?’ Whether or not other people would like it only weighed us down and made us compromise.”

Online anticipation continues to build for the release, and the band has been reaching out with highly personal video postcards and performances, including an impromptu cover of “S.O.S” by Abba that was chosen by fans in an online poll. The video comments reveal fans’ connection with the music as well as a deep loyalty towards the band’s charismatic frontwoman.

Expectations are clearly high, and with Heartbeats, Versant has exceeded them. Still, Charnow promises more to come. “We've put everything we have into the songs on this EP, as well as many more we have yet to show. We want as many ears as will listen to have the chance to experience our music.” With the same ambitious smile that is evident in the music, she adds, “That said, I want to see it everywhere!