Villa*Nova Weaves its own Fate

Brian “B.C. “ Conner continues a rock ‘n’ roll family legacy first established by older brother Chris Conner and his influential South Carolina 90’s Americana act, Sourwood Honey. Eight years after younger brother formed Villa*Nova, the Columbia-based band will return to the familiar stomping grounds of Myrtle Beach 9 p.m. Saturday, November 21 for a CD release party at The Boathouse Waterway Bar & Grill.

“Do people even still buy CDs?” laughed Conner, a 30-something father who says his son, his “baby boy” named Cash, has brought him “positivity and joy,” along with a new drive for success and material for his songwriting craft. “There’s a new track called “CA$H” on “Thread of Life,” [Villa*Nova’s new 12-track project],” said Conner, “and at first listen you’d think it’s about materialism and money, but it’s about all my son has brought into my life.”

“I’ve been playing guitar since the third or fourth grade,” said Conner. “My big brother Chris taught me how to play my first song, “Sanitarium” by Metallica. When I was 19 or 20 I started playing out with him some.” Sadly, the elder Conner died in 2007 but lives on in the charitable works of The Christopher Conner Foundation.

“We’ve been playing Myrtle Beach forever,” said Conner “Before forming Villanova I played there with my brother in The Connor Brothers.” Some fans may remember Conner playing in Weaving the Fate after Villanova signed a development deal with Universal Republic. The name change caused some momentary confusion.

It’s All in a Name

“For a short while Villanova became Weaving the Fate,” continued Conner, “at the strong suggestion of the legal types at Universal Republic. The Weaving the Fate name was inspired by one of my brother’s songs, so it was cool and held a deep meaning, only problem, no one could say it or understand it. We’d play a gig and some college kid would be like “Dude, you guys are awesome, Bro. What’s the name of your band?” We’d say ‘Weaving the Fate,” and the guy would say ‘Cool, Weaving the Feet?” Nobody could ever get it right. We had one EP out with Universal, now we’re independent, so we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted, and since we never had a lawsuit with Villanova University, we went back to the name everybody in the Southeast knows us by. We put an asterisk between Villa and Nova just to safe.”

Longtime fans may lament the loss of original drummer Jeremy Robertson, who now plays country music with Chase Rice. “He’s playing for 20,000 people a night,” said Conner, “so we wish him the best and we still stay in touch. He’s in Nashville. Lots of people are trying to get us to come to Nashville, but I’m not trying to be a country singer, and am not quite ready to do that; but it is good money.”

Joining lead guitarist and front man Conner in the five-piece act is Bobby Dredd (bass), B. Hooks (vocals, rhythm guitar), Young Sean (drums), DJ Able One (turntables and keyboards).

“We’re soulful alternative rock, deeply rooted in funk,” said Conner. The new project is available in CD format and at most of the digital download spots; iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play.

“Thread of Life” released around two months ago, but the Boathouse show will be the first official CD release from the band in this area. “We recorded in Irmo, South Carolina at Plaugh’s House Recording Studios. Cory Plaugh is this young producer who does metal, hip-hop, rock. This was so fun to do. We did a Christmas song with him called “Naughty List” and you can see him in the YouTube Video. At the boathouse we’ll play the majority of the new album, along with some classics and fan favorites.”

“We’re 100-percent committed to the band and play an average of three to four shows a week. We try to give longtime fans and newcomers what they want.”

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 5:39 AM with the headline "Villa*Nova Weaves its own Fate."