Sarah frances gleason - vocals
Sarah Frances Gleason grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She and husband Jorge Santamaria have shared in their musical journey, she as a lead singer and song writer; and he as drummer, producer and manager.
Sarah began her musical career with alt country band The Velvet Marias in 2007, with whom she opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2012. The Velvet Marias released an album of original music “Don’t Mind If I Do” in 2010.
Gleason and Santamaria went on to create band Vexine in 2012 with guitarist Paul Pearce and bassist Michael Skiffington. They released their self-titled, debut album in 2012, followed by “Live from Nashville”, recorded at the Rutledge in Nashville, TN and released in 2014. Their last album, “Little Sin” released in 2016 was met with much critical acclaim. Throughout 2012 to 2019 the band played numerous TV and radio appearances. Gleason and Pearce continue to write today.
Gleason also wrote with guitarist David Palombo, from which the band The Articles was formed in 2014. They released two albums. “Rough Draft” in 2014, that was voted one of the top ten releases in Richmond, VA by RVA Playlist and “Final Draft” released in 2019. A career highlight for the band was playing at the Richmond Folk Festival in 2015.
Sarah continues to write songs with Paul Pearce. Some of which will be released in an upcoming Vexine album in late 2023.
Paul pearce - guitar
The Basics:
Lives in Richmond, VA. Believes that the shoes make the man. Stands behind others. Listens to Lee Fields most afternoons between 2 and 330. Prefers diet coke. Plays guitar at the appropriate volume, thank you very much. Appreciates the nice, solid lines of a Chrysler. Tells his kids to ‘hold your chin up, you can’t see where you’re going with it stuck to your chest’ and ‘don’t color anything you can’t wash off’. Wears a hat in the rain, because that’s what hats are for.
Past Musical Projects:
The Velvet Marias, The Deaves, Big Electric Cat, Mouth Full of Bees, The Boilers, Jamie Kyle, Will Rambeaux, Claimstakers, and countless others.
Musical Favorites:
The Beatles, Iggy Pop, Husker Du, Skip Spence, John Cage, The Ramones, Deerhunter, Jason and the Scorchers, Hank Williams, Mark Linkous, and all those people that made beautiful things that vibrated for a time and disappeared unknown into the air.
Best Moments:
I'm still having them so I can't say there's a best yet, though I do keep a list.
mike skiffington - bass
The Basics:
Is a lifelong resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Accepts people misspelling his surname. Quietly berates his bandmates for playing too loud. Would communicate completely by movie dialogue, if he could. Has seen the violence inherent in the system. Treats objects like women, man. Will not play without a hat.
Past Musical Projects:
The Velvet Marias, and lots of bands you won't remember and I can't forget.
Musical Favorites:
I don't really like musicals.
Best Moments:
Usually involve some combination of deep fried chicken wings, bacon, diet mountain dew, scotch, wine, beer, and loved ones.
jorge santamaria - drummer
Jorge was born in El Salvador and migrated to New Orleans, LA in the early 1960’s. His musical journey, while influenced by the sounds of the Crescent City, did not begin until the early 2000’s in Richmond, VA.
He began playing hand drums/percussion with The Jangling Reinhart’s in 2001. He auditioned and was selected for the drummer’s throne for the alt-country band Velvet Marias in 2006. After hearing his spouse, Sarah Frances Gleason, sing the Velvet Marias insisted that she join the band as well. They’ve been making music together ever since.
From 2012 to 2019, Santamaria played drums and percussion for Vexine and The Articles. He also managed, assisted with producing and recording original music that was released on 6 albums for all three bands.
From 2020 to 2022 he played drums and provided backing vocals for Cast Iron Cactus in New Orleans, as well as making guest appearances with Paul Sanchez, Freddie Blue & the Friendship Circle band, among others in the Crescent City.
He’s ecstatic to be back with Vexine!