October 25, 2024 – Introducing: The Yagas! The new alt-rock band – fronted by Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress Vera Farmiga and rounded out by Renn Hawkey of Deadsy (keys), Jason Bowman (drums), Mark Visconti (guitar) and Mike Davis (bass) – has released their debut single “The Crying Room.” PRESS HERE to download/stream. The New York-based independent quintet has also shared the official music video for the powerful atmospheric song. The hauntingly beautiful visual for “The Crying Room,” shot in the forest of upstate New York, features Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz and honors the struggles of the Ukrainian people, as Vera and Eugene are both of Ukrainian heritage. PRESS HERE to watch the music video for “The Crying Room,” directed by Matt Jones (@mattjonesphotography_).
“‘The Crying Room’ is about release and relief. It’s about crying your heart clean,” shares Farmiga. “It’s a song that was filmed during and in the aftermath of an eclipse, and is about the eclipse of our soul. Eclipses have potent effects on our psychology. They are energetic portals that trigger epiphanies and outpouring of emotion. They help us shift. Humans are capable of getting stuck in our shadows from time to time. It’s in this balancing of the shadow and light, one literally eclipsing the other, that we have an opportunity to look deep into our hearts and what is going on internally and bring that into the light, no matter how dark it is.”
Announcing its dark, foreboding atmosphere with an existential scream out of a Slavic fairy tale, “The Crying Room,” produced by Hawkey and co-written by The Yagas with Acacia Ludwig (Red Hot Chili Peppers), immediately draws in the listener with textured guitars and a primal melodic rhythm of synth, drums and bass. Farmiga’s dusky and sweet vocals then take over revealing a pain and grief that steadily builds as a wave of sound rises around her. “The Crying Room” was mixed by GRAMMY® nominee Brian Virtue (Deftones, 30 Seconds to Mars) and mastered by GRAMMY® winner Emily Lazar (Beck, Coldplay).
With the release of “The Crying Room,” The Yagas has partnered with Razom For Ukraine to raise awareness and funds for the US-based charity dedicated to aiding Ukraine. PRESS HERE to donate and to learn more.
The Yagas formed after its five members met at The Rock Academy in Woodstock, NY. With their name stemming from the Slavic folklore witch Baba Yaga, due to the magical healing and sorcery associated with music, it’s only fitting that they make their official debut during Halloween season.
The Yagas will release their debut full-length album in 2025. Stay tuned for more info!
