Music Spotlight
VersaEmerge
Recommended by: Jason Sifkarovski
VersaEmerge (note the mid-word capitalization) is a 3-piece rock band from Florida, currently signed to the pop-punk label Fueled by Ramen (Panic! at the Disco, Cobra Starship). During their initial years, the band went through many line-up changes which fluctuated anywhere between 3 and 6 members. They recorded their first EP in 2005 with vocalist Anthony James, who quit soon thereafter. Sierra Kusterbeck auditioned to fill James' place in 2007 by sending a tape online and was awarded the position (it was later discovered that Kusterbeck lied about her age in order to be eligible for an audition). After releasing another EP, the band was signed by Fueled by Ramen in 2008. In 2009, they joined headlining band We the Kings for the Secret Valentine tour which increased their fanbase significantly and opened up all sorts of opportunities, such as playing at both Warped Tour and the Bamboozle in 2009. Despite the band's longevity and fanbase, they have yet to release their first studio album (they plan to do so sometime this year). Check out their acoustic take on the Thurl Ravenscroft classic "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."