A Merging of Dimensions

Joe Fowler, Staff Writer

The date was July 15, 2016. Citizens of the Divided State of Americana walked beneath half-staff flags. Social and mainstream media outlets preached words of division, pitting citizen against citizen. The streets filled with protesters, police, riot squads and gunfire. Amidst the chaos of the real world, a rift between the surreal streets of America and the fantasy universe of hard rock band, the Vailix opened. From the breach between realities, emerged a group of artists offering a multi-faceted juggernaut of art, storytelling and music. Our worlds convened that Friday in mid-July at the Ante Room in downtown Charlottesville.

“The Vailix is a concept band, with every song tying in to a chapter of the graphic novel Tales of the Cloud Ocean,” the band’s singer, Brianna Litman, said in an interview after the show. Formed in 2014 as a physical manifestation of guitarist Rob Richmond’s imagination, the Vailix serves as the entryway to “a fictional universe that compels exploration by virtue of its existence,” he said after the show that Friday.

Richmond went into greater detail about his ideal fantasy worlds, worlds where anyone can become the hero. Among the universes he mentioned, Star Wars and World of Warcraft stood out as the most familiar with both realms inspiring books, comics, games and movies since first emerging. Richmond held high hopes that this new world would one day inspire others in a similar fashion.

The band’s vocalist spoke of the project in the same mystical manner but also pointed out the relevance of the entire project in current times, explaining that, “The story that Rob is weaving, although set in a dystopian fantasy world, has an immense amount of vitality and connection to our current state of the world and civilization, so these are very fulfilling and just generally badass lyrics to have the opportunity to interpret, help arrange, and perform.”

As the voice of the Vailix, Litman gave details about her journey to the Cloud Ocean, describing a life of rock ‘n’ roll and happy hedonism before settling in Charlottesville and performing with groups such as Ginger and the Castaways prior to Richmond approaching her about the Vailix.

Litman’s vocals have all the hallmarks of a genuine gift. She counted a wide range of female vocalists the likes of Billie Holiday, Karen Carpenter, Grace Slick, and Bjork as the inspiration for her vocals. Though she never received formal voice training, Litman said, “Everything I know how to do vocally has come from years of practice and personal development, although it’s never too late for lessons — my voice is always developing. Seriously, even in just the last few weeks!”

Bassist, Bruce Stocking; guitarist, Cory Teitelbaum; and drummer, Jamie Booth round out the band’s lineup. Booth’s arms disappeared and reappeared frequently throughout each song during the live performance. At times the live set seemed reminiscent of Iron Maiden as Stocking, Teitelbaum and Richmond held their instruments at the same angle, fingers moving in sync with one another. Vailix live was a show to get lost in.

But, the show was a mere glimpse of the overall vision. With a comic series on the way, and a card game currently in circulation, expect more adventures to come from the Cloud Ocean. “The band plays a part in the story like Homer plays a part in the Odyssey,” Richmond said. Members of the Vailix tell a story like the bards of old. History sides with the Vailix. Civilizations rise and fall. Songs and stories live on.