Their sound has been compared to artists as diverse as Jeff Buckley, The Birthday Party, The Smiths, and Joy Division. Their live shows have become famed for their emotional intensity and Finn's often scarily possessed stage presence and his unique singing voice.
They released their debut album, The Runaway Found, in Spain late in 2003. The first single from the album, Lavinia, was released through Rough Trade on November 24, 2003. They released the album globally in January 2004 with a different track listing. It went gold worldwide the following year.
The original lineup of The Veils (which included Oli Drake, Ben Woollacott and Adam Kinsella) disbanded in late 2004, and Andrews returned to New Zealand in order to find a new lineup. He spent the New Zealand summer rehearsing with high school classmates Liam Gerrard (keyboards) and Sophia Burn (bass), and the trio returned to London early 2005. There they got connected to Dan Raishbrook (Guitar) and Henning Dietz (drums). However Liam Gerrard left the band half way into their American tour in 2007.
The group recorded their second album Nux Vomica at Underbelly Studios in Los Angeles, with producer Nick Launay, and the album was released September 18, 2006. The album features string arrangements by ex-Lounge Lizard and long time Lou Reed collaborator Jane Scarpontoni. Nux Vomica featured on 9 critics' Best Of The Year lists in 2006.
In the 16 months following the release of Nux Vomica The Veils played over 250 shows across 15 countries and during the U.S. leg of the tour it was announced that keyboardist Liam Gerrard would leave the band to return home to New Zealand due to personal reasons. The Veils carried on as a four piece and, whilst living out of a classic car garage in Oklahoma City, started recording new demos between playing shows on the east and west coasts of the America. By mid-2008 they were back to London to begin work on their third album with producer Graham Sutton. The recording sessions at West Point Studios lasted only three weeks and at the end of the summer the album was done and ready to be mixed. In March 2009 they began touring the new songs in Europe and America with new drummer Raife Burchell (of Jetplane Landing), after Henning Dietz' defection. Sun Gangs was released on April 6 2009 and was featured in many websites top albums of 2009.
The band spent the summer of 2010 working on new material. On December 6 it was announced that a new 7 song EP entitled Troubles of the Brain is set to be released on January 24, and that the band had left Rough Trade after almost 9 years and started their own label, Pitch Beast Records. The EP is produced by Finn Andrews and Bernard Butler and was recorded at Finn's home studio in London.
In mid 2012 The Veils threatened legal action on UK hardcore band Veils due to the similarity in name. This forced Veils to alter the spelling of their name to Vales.
The Veils released their next album in april 2013 titled , ‘Time Stays, We Go’ in April 2013. Three years later Total Depravity (2016) saw the daylight.
In 2016 David Lynch revealed that Finn would appear in the new series of Twin Peaks due to air early 2017.
In 2023 The Veils released ...And Out of the Void Came Love after a long struggle with songwriting that only came together after the birth of Andrews' first child. The COVID pandemic had seen the departure of longtime members Dietz and Burn (who had been the longest continuous presence in the band after Andrews) and the arrival of Tiny Ruins bassist Cass Basil.
Advice for Young Mothers to Be
The Veils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's too bad the rest have made it all their own
there's got to be a better way somehow but I don't know
Wish I could find the words and heal my baby
She made a crib with blankets for the floor
Painted the bluest colour on the walls
I don't want to know the time I don't care about that at all
No, this can't go on
Your advice for young mothers to be
We'll never find the words, darling believe me
So here it is your heart's out in the cold
The friends who care still call you on the phone
The vicar said it's wrong but hey what does he know
He said its wrong but that the Lord forgave me
Well I don't want his pity and your scorn
Boy why you preaching no one's listening anymore
That old live of yours sickens me
Directed I'm on an eternal call
No man alive has earned the right to save me
No, this can't go on
Your advice for young mothers to be
We'll never find the words, darling believe me
No, this can't go on
Your advice for young mothers to be
We'll never find the words, darling believe me
Now here I am, I'm pushing 24
I've got a house and a little terrace on the lawn
My baby's grown and I'm as happy as a fawn
Now only the beauty of the world delays me
No, this can't go on
Your advice for young mothers to be
We'll never find the words, darling believe me
No, this crown of thorns
Your advice for young mothers to be
We'll never find the words, darling believe me
The Veils' song "Advice for Young Mothers to Be" is a hauntingly beautiful piece with a narrative that dives deep into the psyche of a young mother. The lyrics seem to revolve around the struggles of a young mother, as she battles societal expectations, religious beliefs, and the sheer weight of motherhood. Although there is a sense of hopelessness that permeates the lyrics, there is also an underlying optimism as the story progresses. The song's strongest message is that, no matter how difficult things may seem, it is possible to find happiness and peace.
The opening lyrics, "She found the world embedded in the snow, it's too bad the rest have made it all their own," suggest that the mother feels isolated and alone. The next line, "there's got to be a better way somehow but I don't know," conveys a sense of despair and hopelessness. However, as the song progresses, there is a shift in the mother's perspective. By the end, she has found happiness and is content with her life.
The song's narrative conveys a range of complex themes, such as the societal pressure placed on women to have children, the challenges of motherhood, and the struggles of single parenthood. The lyrics are rich with imagery, and the instrumentation complements the themes perfectly. The acoustic guitar is the main instrument throughout the song, but there is a melancholic edge to it, which complements the mood of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
She found the world embedded in the snow
She discovered the beauty in the world during a difficult time.
It's too bad the rest have made it all their own
Sadly, other people have taken ownership of the world and its beauty for themselves.
There's got to be a better way somehow but I don't know
She believes there must be a solution to the problems of the world, but she isn't sure what it is.
Wish I could find the words and heal my baby
She wishes she had the ability to make everything better for her child.
She made a crib with blankets for the floor
She improvised and created a comfortable space for her child.
Painted the bluest colour on the walls
She decorated the room with a calming and soothing color for her child.
I don't want to know the time I don't care about that at all
Keeping track of time is not important to her, as her only concern is her child's well-being.
Nobody knows the way to heaven baby
She believes that no one knows the true path to happiness and contentment.
No, this can't go on
Your advice for young mothers to be
We'll never find the words, darling believe me
She is unable to continue living the way things are, and people's advice for young mothers won't help her find a solution.
So here it is your heart's out in the cold
The friends who care still call you on the phone
The vicar said it's wrong but hey what does he know
He said its wrong but that the Lord forgave me
Despite feeling alone and abandoned, her true friends still care about her, while the religious figure thinks her choices are wrong but chooses to forgive her anyway.
Well I don't want his pity and your scorn
Boy why you preaching no one's listening anymore
That old live of yours sickens me
Directed I'm on an eternal call
No man alive has earned the right to save me
She rejects the judgment of the religious figure and the criticism of others. She doesn't believe that anyone has the right to judge or save her.
Now here I am, I'm pushing 24
I've got a house and a little terrace on the lawn
My baby's grown and I'm as happy as a fawn
Now only the beauty of the world delays me
Years later, she reflects on her life as a mother and feels content and happy. She is enjoying the beauty of life.
No, this crown of thorns
Your advice for young mothers to be
We'll never find the words, darling believe me
She believes that motherhood is often difficult, and no one has the perfect solution or advice to offer.
Contributed by Lauren S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@matthewttrolfe786
Love this video one of the baby's is my son who now is 15 children grow up fast great memories
@patrickroberts9080
my daughter is in it too she is now 18 !!!!
@emfacemcguills
do people not think this is the most hilarious video ever?? there are like 25 babies just randomly strewn across the floor and all of the band members looks so confused about it! Priceless.
@JustXavierB
This is damn funny, 1st time seeing it... Had this song on my play list for over 15 years I'm sure
@Sneeuwuiltje
I love the music from the Veils. My friend dubbed the singer "noodle-leg" after watching this video though, makes me giggle every time I see his leg wiggle.
@discombobulated46
The drummer looks so terrified x) I love this song :D
@kingate10
this is my favorite song of 2006. an innovated video for a innovated grupo "the veils". I admire the great man in vocal Andrew.i afford you and continue to be like one you know... great staly to song man¡...David.
@Ava-20.1.18
Still in love with this song 🧡
@onewink
Until now, the only Veils I had heard was the Leaver's Dance and I love it. This is great too. Pretty versatile band : )
@ericn1450
A couple of times the band members look a little worried about the babies but in actuality kids that age are pretty durable. They probably fall over about 50 times a day as it is. The crying often times has more to do with the parents reaction. Cute video and a cool song.