Veara are currently touring the UK and Europe on the Eastpak Antidote tour so we decided to ask the band a few questions about the tour, being signed and much more.

You’re currently touring as part of the Eastpak Antidote Tour, how did you get hooked up with this?
We were picked up by Tobbe Lorentz from the Agency Group for UK/European booking a few months back. He books the Eastpak tour every year. Not long after working with him we were offered the tour and couldn't believe it. We agreed to the tour and now here we are, in the UK for the first time!

Obviously you have a female in your band, and this is an all male tour, how does she cope being surrounded by smelly men 24/7?
Haha, Brittany is like one of the guys when it comes to hanging out. And most tours are all guys so its nothing new for her. She's a champ.

Earlier this year you released the album What We Left Behind, are you pleased with the outcome and the way that it has been received?
We are very stoked on how everyone is taking in the album. We have had lots of good response from all over the world and we are excited to see people from everywhere getting into our record as much as they are.

The album was produced and mixed by Jeremy McKinnon and Joshua Woodard of A Day To Remember, how did this relationship come about?
Actually Jeremy just produced the record, Andrew Wade recorded and mixed it and Josh managed us for a while to help us get to where we needed to be.We've known ADTR for a while now from playing with them in our hometown, before they got to the success they are at now. We made good friends with them always stayed in touch. We heard Josh was managing bands so we gave him some demos we recorded with Andrew Wade back in 09. He was into and wanted to help us out, Jeremy was into and wanted to produce it. So Jeremy came into the studio and helped out.

Would you say that they had any influence over the sound of the record, as it’s fair to say that ADTR are heavier than Veara?
Very fair to say. When Jeremy was working with us, neither him or us wanted us to be another ADTR. He wanted us to be Veara just as much as we wanted to be ourselves as well. He wanted to be known as Jeremy McKinnon the producer, not just the guy from ADTR.

Once the album was complete it was picked up by Brett Gurewitz at Epitaph, how does it feel being on a label with such an incredible, influential roster?
It is amazing. We all grew up listening to Epitaph bands and they were they label we wanted. Least to say it was a dream come true.

Things haven’t always been such an easy ride with Veara with members leaving etc, is everything a bit calmer now?
Everything is great now. It has been ever since we became a four piece. We are more on top of things now and are doing better than ever now that we have all members on the same page and the same goal.

Do you feel like the release of What We Left Behind was a bit of a middle finger to anyone that ever doubted you?
That's EXACTLY what it is. And then some haha.

What’s next in the pipeline for Veara?
After this we have some dates with The Wonder Years and A Loss For Words back in the states. Then Febuary/March we are going to Australia for the Soundwave Festivals. We are also getting some other things in the works we are pretty stoked on.

As the year is drawing to a close, do you have any highlights?
Getting signed and releasing our album and all the tours we have been on. Its been a great year.

Where would you like to be this time next year?
I would like to be back over in the UK and Europe!

MySpace seems to be a big tool in the music industry these days with artists communicating with their fans over it and some even ditching their own website and having just a MySpace site, what are your opinions on MySpace as a tool in the music industry?
Myspace is the easiest and fastest way to make a website for your band with music, show info, pictures, ect. Even Facebook now makes it convient for bands now to do the same. Kids are very much into social networking now so I think having a Myspace or Facebook is an important tool for promoting your band.

One last random question that we ask every band, if you could be an animal out of a Zebra and a Giraffe which one would you be and why?
I think I would be a Giraffe. Being that tall would be so sweet.

Thanks for your time, do you have an message for your fans reading this?
Don't let anyone tell you you need to change your life, be true to yourself, and come hang out with us at a show!

Interview by Ben Connell