Vessy began her recording career in Chicago, as a hired electronica singer, where she recorded on tracks with legendary musicians such world renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff. After arriving in Los Angeles in 1998 Vessy began writing and recording demos with Matt Sorum of The Cult, Guns & Roses and Velvet Revolver fame and then formed her first Los Angeles band, The Lovesick Lunatics, with Jason Art, Josh Rifkin and Craig Sharp. In 2000, together with the Lovesick Lunatics, she recorded Black Car, an independently self released album, that ultimately led to signing a demo deal with Virgin Records in 2001.
Black car showcased the strength of Vessy’s Pop-Rock song writing, with such songs as Hollywood Hang Me, Love and Tell Me Why? Hollywood Hang Me went on to air for 3 straight months on the hit TV Series, The Gilmore Girls. After playing for audiences in L.A. venues such as The Mint, The Temple Bar, The House of Blues, The Joint, The Gig, and many others, The Lovesick Lunatics parted ways in 2002.
Vessy was also a member of the crinoline-clad, show stopping trio, “The Smiling Minks” with Moira Smiley and LA’s “diva deluxe” Suzy Williams. In 2003, Vessy had the wonderful privilege of opening up for Michelle Shocked in Flagstaff, AZ at the Orpheum Theatre. While in L.A., Vessy hosted numerous acoustic nights at such places as The Viper Room, The Cows End, The Derby, and the Brickhouse Kitchen.
Nearing the end of 2004, Vessy landed a 2 month residency in a very famous little ski town in Avoriaz, France. She formed a stellar band with the likes of Gidon Shikler and Robert Lorch. They performed regularly at a local hot spot called Le Cabane. From there she travelled to Switzerland, Bulgaria and London, where she recorded 17 original tracks with yet another set of amazing artists.
From 1998 to the end of 2007, Vessy had the great honor of volunteering for an amazing foundation called The Art of Elysium at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. It was during these special sessions at the hospital that Vessy truly realized what she wanted to accomplish with her music. Weaving spontaneous songs, movement and poetry into the lives and hearts of the children who resided there gave her a purpose never before realized. Having learned the spirit of song from a few major family members: her Bulgarian grandmother (whom she is named after) who sang her lullabies from a world away, Vessy’s father, Michael, who taught her how to sing these songs and sang them with her, and her original songwriting sister, Antje, who was the founding member of Just Blame Eve, Vessy’s first band.
In January 2008, Vessy Mink moved back to Chicago with her husband to be and began the journey of a lifetime. Becoming a mother has given her the greatest of joys and a purpose unequivocal. Vessy Mink has written enough children’s songs to make a record, and becoming part of the Wiggleworms’ team has only inspired her further to make that dream come true.
