Theo Verney is a man not hanging around, even if his live shows thrive off it. Verney’s fervent following dangle off light fittings and even draw blood. The latter is something that Theo himself isn’t shy of, such is the intensity of his growing live persona.

After playing the circuit as part of a previous group, he felt the time was right to kick-start proceedings under the Theo Verney moniker. Now a year on from his first show, it’s a milestone that has been signposted by way of two EPs, overseas live shows as far flung as New York and a fanbase all too happy to keep up with an energetic work rate.

His dedication has meant numerous songs are spawned on a weekly basis, something evolving his live show and stretching his still-seeking sound in different directions. A listen through his first release, TV EP, followed promptly by its follow up EP, Heavy Sunn, is testimonial of this evolution – not necessarily in terms of quality, but in unambiguous differences that lend themselves to experimentation.

An underlying theme of both releases can be found embedded in their production methods. Access to a home studio and a relentless work ethic has led to each and every song being written and produced by Verney, with all instruments also accredited to the man himself.

Throw in an enrapturing and animated live show and you’ve got yourself one to watch.  Do so soon, however, before he jets off in search of his American Dream – something that may hamper the ferocity of his progress given his self-professed love of deli-style eateries.

Matthew Liam Fogg: It has now been around a year since your first gig, how do you feel things have progressed since your early shows?
Theo Verney: Things have progressed so much from those early shows. First of all, I was still rocking my Stratocaster back then. I love that guitar and still use it to record a lot, but my SG works so much better live, as it’s so big sounding. I was mostly playing songs off TV EP, so the sound was a little bit mellower.

Matthew Liam Fogg: Two EPs on and you’re still previewing new songs when playing live. Do you constantly write?
Theo Verney: Yeah, I’m constantly writing and recording. I probably write about three songs a week, but not all of them will make the cut. I have about 15 finished songs that will probably be released in the future, most of which I already play live.

Matthew Liam Fogg: There’s quite a leap in difference of sound between TV EP and Heavy Sunn. Are you still experimenting, or are the heavier licks that characterise Heavy Sunn what we can expect to hear more of?
Theo Verney: I’m definitely keeping things heavy, but I think a lot of my new songs are a bit more melodic, vocally, so there’s not quite as much heavy riffage. I think my new songs are a good mix between the two EP’s. I’m always experimenting, though. Lately I’ve been writing a number of harmonising guitar parts. I might have to get a second guitarist!

Matthew Liam Fogg: Everything from ‘grunge’ and ‘stoner-rock,’ to ‘sludge’ has been used to categorise your music. Is there a particular genre that you feel you lend yourself? Or at least one you’re influenced by?
Theo Verney: Not really, man. I listen to loads of different genres and pick up bits of influence on the way. I think I’m mostly influenced by production techniques. I love the late 60s and 70s production methods; where effects were used extravagantly and everything was quite lo-fi. A lot of people are talking about ‘psych’ at the moment. To me, psych is more down to the production values rather than the songwriting.

Matthew Liam Fogg: TV EP was released on cassette only, with Heavy Sunn being released only on vinyl. Is there anything you prefer about these particular formats?
Theo Verney: They sound cool and they look cool. No one buys CDs anymore. I like having my songs on these formats and then having them available digitally as well. I’m not a purist; I listen to most music digitally.

Matthew Liam Fogg: It’s fair to say you’ve enjoyed some success following your releases, what have been the major factors in getting your name out there?
Theo Verney: I think associating myself with great labels such as Hate Hate Hate and Italian Beach Babes has been the main component in getting my name out. Both labels have a good following because they have great bands on the label so it was natural to go with those guys.

Matthew Liam Fogg: Is an album in the works? Or will you continue to work on smaller releases for the time being?
Theo Verney: As I said, I have a lot of new material written. I think it’ll probably go towards an album, but I might put out an EP or a single first. We’ll see.

Matthew Liam Fogg: What have been the benefits of recording and mixing everything yourself so far?
Theo Verney: I like all the instruments in a song to tie together and to work as a single unit. I find that recording everything myself allows me to do that. Within a band situation there’s often four people operating totally separately, not considering how a song will sound as a whole. I really think this is one of the most important factors in songwriting.

Matthew Liam Fogg: You were on the circuit as part of a different band before kickstarting Theo Verney, why was it time to sit down and get your own stuff recorded?
Theo Verney: Differing levels of commitment really, I didn’t want to waste time taking things slowly.

Matthew Liam Fogg: You play a noticeably large amount of shows, do you cram them in wherever possible or is there a more strategic approach?
Theo Verney: I want to be playing more! It’s just what comes up really. I try to play a mix of support shows and then more fun local shows, where everyone can party.

Matthew Liam Fogg: You’ve recently gone as far flung as New York, how did that one come about?
Theo Verney: Sam from Hate Hate Hate was putting on Yuck as part of CMJ and I had the privilege to join them! I want to move out to the States as soon as possible. I love the people, but most of all the food. Those bagels are incredible.

Matthew Liam Fogg: Apologies for the Year-in-Review essence of this one, but what have been the highs in the first year of Theo Verney?
Theo Verney: Playing Utrecht and Paris with Traams was some of the best fun I’ve ever had. It really got me in the tour mind-set and I hope to be doing it a lot more in 2014.

Visit Theo Verney’s website, Soundcloud and follow him on Facebook and Twitter