Violet Vonder Haar believes in music. She was born 22 years ago on the banks of Splice Creek nestled in the river hills near the tiny Missouri River town of Lupus (pop. 29). Nurtured in the thriving folk community of Central Missouri, she has been performing for area audiences since she was tall enough to reach a mike. As a child, she was inspired to influence people to environmental causes through song, and over the years she has lent her voice to churches, benefits, peace rallies and any venue to make a better world.
Violet has always written her own music and released her debut album “Shades Of Violet” at the age of 16. In 2009 she was voted “Best Female Solo Musician” by Inside Columbia Magazine.
True to her cause, in 2010 she earned a degree in music education at Central Methodist University. She is currently spreading the word of the power of music to the next generation of musicians teaching music at area public and private elementary and middle schools.
With college behind her and a new focus on her musical career, she released a 3 song EP of whimsical audience favorites called “V-Sides and Rarities” in February 2011 which helped fund her newest full length album, “The Way Home”, which features the best of her work from the considerable songbook she has amassed in the last 6 years.
Whether playing in a quiet coffeehouse on a Friday, wowing the rockers in a Pink Floyd cover band on Saturday, inspiring the congregation on Sunday morning or teaching fifth-graders to write folk songs about bugs on Monday, Violet lives for the music. As her audience continues to grow, she proves herself to be a versatile and talented presence on the music scene.
VIOLET AND THE UNDERCURRENTS
Violet and the Undercurrents are Violet Vonder Haar, Phylshawn Johnson and Ruth Acuff. Though the band is new to Columbia, these ladies are far from being new to the Columbia music scene.
You may recognize Acuff from favorite local band, Rutherford, or perhaps you’ve seen her performing her angelic songs written and performed on the harp. A multitalented musician, she plays bass guitar and sings with the Undercurrents.
Johnson, known around town as the “drummer girl”, has been drumming since the young age of five and hasn’t let up since. Aside from all of her various drumming projects, in 2010, she released a soul/funk album, “Soul Heart”, and is owner of the Mid-Missouri independent record label, “Nation of Love”, she has proven herself as not only one of the best drummers around, but also a well endowed composer.
Vonder Haar began performing for Columbia audiences at the age of nine and became a familiar name in the songwriter scene shortly after. Now, 23, she has just released her third album, “The Way Home”, of all originals.
Though the girls have known each other for over five years, it took until late in 2010 for them to ever collaborate, which has led both them and audience members to wonder what has taken so long. The Undercurrents add a foundation to Vonder Haar’s songs, taking you on a musical journey of love, family and life. Seeing them perform is a one of a kind experience that you won’t want to miss.
The Undercurrents released their first single in January 2012, called “Runnin’”, on Johnson’s independent music label, The Nation of Love. More to come!
