December 4, 2024 • 36 mins
Known for their electrifying renditions of classic holiday music, Twelve Twenty-Four combines the festive spirit with high-energy rock performances that will leave audiences of all ages wanting more.
They are the longest running Trans Siberian Orchestra Tribute band having begun in 2002, over twenty years ago! They will soon be thrilling audiences in Millville, NJ at the beautiful Levoy Theater on December 15th.
Jersey Arts chats with drummer and vocalist Van White, and vocalist Ekat Pereyra of Twelve Twenty-Four. Listen to hear them gush about Christmas, rock music, and more.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (00:03):
This is Gina Marie Rodriguez and you're
listening to the Jersey ArtsPodcast.
It is my favorite season of theyear and any chance that I get
to talk about Christmas, I amgoing to, so I am thrilled that
I was able to speak to a coupleof the band members from the
Rock Orchestra TwelveTwenty-Four.
Known for their electrifyingrenditions of classic holiday
music, Twelve Twenty-Fourcombines the festive spirit with
(00:26):
high-energy rock performancesthat will leave audiences of all
ages wanting more.
They are the longest-runningtrans-Siberian orchestra tribute
band, having begun in 2002,over 20 years ago.
They will soon be thrillingaudiences in Millville, new
Jersey, jersey.
At the beautiful Levoy Theatreon December 15th, I was able to
chat with drummer and vocalistVan White and vocalist Ekat
(00:49):
Pereyra of Twelve Twenty- Four.
Listen to hear us gush aboutChristmas rock music and more
Well, I'm just going to sayhello to you both again and I'm
going to ask you to introduceyourselves and let our listeners
know a little bit about who youare.
Van White (01:08):
Well, first of all, gina, thank you so much for this
opportunity, you know, to justtalk a little bit about the band
.
So my name is Van White.
I am the drummer for TwelveTwenty-Four.
And we do, we all kind of dothings behind the scenes.
I have a lot to do with thebooking.
Another guy is the one who doesall the finances and stuff.
(01:28):
He's not here, and then we haveEkat.
She'll introduce herself injust a moment.
Mainly, I'm the drummer and I'mthe vocalist for one of the
vocalists for Twelve Twenty-Four.
Ekat Pereyra (01:39):
Okay, and my name is Ekat.
Thank you, of course, forhaving us as well.
And I am the vocalist, one ofthe vocalists for the Twelve
Twenty-Four band, and you know Itry to help out little things
here and there, like merchandiseand assisting the rest of the
crew members to if there'sanything that needs to be done.
I try to do the best that I can, but mainly my, my job for the
(02:02):
band is I'm a vocal, a vocalist.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (02:04):
I'm a singer.
I love that.
I'm so envious of singersbecause I love singing along to
the car radio, you know, but itsounds like a cat is dying when
I do it, so, oh, less fun.
Ekat Pereyra (02:15):
I don't believe that you're very sweet.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (02:18):
So I'm a huge fan of Christmas right, and
I know that you two love music.
But since we're going to betalking about Christmas music in
particular, I think I'd firstlove to hear about how you like
to enjoy the holiday season whenyou're not making music, and
what is it about the holidaysthat you love?
Ekat Pereyra (02:34):
So the holidays is just.
It's such an inspiring season,I think, is just an opportunity
to reflect and spend time withyour family and, you know, reach
out to your friends near andfar.
It's a season to be thankfuland to be jolly and it's just
(02:54):
such a happy time of the year.
And for me I grew up in StPetersburg, russia, and, believe
it or not, christmas,particularly on this time,
december 25th, is not celebratedthere, but the spirit is still
there.
We did New Year's, new Year'sEve and New Year's Day was the
(03:16):
big time for us, so it stillencompassed that whole spirit of
the family and being together.
And I think that's what theChristmas season is all about is
just your loved ones, and youknow those ones that are here
and the ones that are not.
You know you're reflecting andand thinking and you know just
(03:38):
so grateful for what you, whatyou have, and that's that's
what's important to me.
Van White (03:43):
I would say that I mean, who doesn't love Christmas
?
I'm sure there's a couple ofpeople out there, but I mean
Christmas is just the mostmagical time of year it's.
I mean, besides calling itmagic, I don't know what else to
call it.
We'll get into some moredetails in a little bit, but I'm
raising some teenage girls andit is just going through these
(04:08):
periods with them is incredibleto see the joy that they have on
their faces and how much joythey give me.
I mean I live my life for mykids.
It's wonderful, and soChristmas is all about family.
It's always been about family.
Me growing up, I'm the youngestof five, so I remember sitting
(04:29):
around the Christmas tree withmy family and we all sang.
That's where I got my start inmusic is singing with my family,
so we would sing just aboutevery Christmas carol that you
know, in beautiful harmony andthat's what I grew up immersed
in, and so Christmas was verymagical for me, even, you know,
(04:52):
from a very young age.
And then, you know, as I grewup and and you know, took the
role of a father and and andthat stuff, I mean it just
continues being magical.
And it's funny because my Iknow that my girls can sing, but
they won't sing in front of me.
Uh, I don't know if they'reembarrassed or whatnot, but uh,
(05:14):
it's kind of funny that thatrole is a little reverse there.
But, um, it's still such amagical time to be able to, to
share it with, um, my family, uh, and then to get to do
something like this band and getto share that love of music and
that feeling of Christmas andall of the magic that's involved
(05:34):
in all of that, and we get toshare it, and that's what makes
this an incredible opportunity.
So I mean, of course it makesit a busy time of year and
you're running every day and yougot to.
You know you're running everyday and you got all this stuff
to do and it goes by in a flash.
You know one minute it's, youknow, november 26th, and the
next minute it's January 1st,and it happens so quick.
(05:57):
But we love it, we look forwardto it, and you know your
question was what is Christmas?
To me, christmas is absolutemagic.
It's togetherness, it'scommunity, it's giving, it's
joyous, and what we get to doencompasses all of that and a
lot more because I'm also a hugeChristmas geek.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (06:22):
Like this is my favorite season of the
year.
I watch all of my Christmasmovies, starting, honestly, the
day after Halloween.
That's what I'm getting startedwith.
I am one of those, and samething with Christmas music right
, that starts as soon asNovember hits.
I'm already in that mood.
There was a joke that I sawonline and I actually I think
(06:43):
it's kind of funny because it'strue there are a lot of people
out there who complain when someof us listen to Christmas music
in November, right, like, waituntil after Thanksgiving.
But part of that is becauseThanksgiving doesn't have the
bangers that Christmas does.
You know, like, christmas musicis a very recognizable and you
(07:03):
can.
You can't dance to all of it,but you can really rock out to
Christmas music and you guys areobviously, you know, a rock
orchestra.
So I, I love Christmas music, Ilove Christmas time and I'm
curious how you found your wayto this band, because Twelve
Twenty-Four was founded in 2002,but you guys joined cat I guess
(07:24):
you were in 2016 and then van2017 so how?
how did you find yourselves here?
Ekat Pereyra (07:32):
sure.
Well, I, it's actually reallyfunny.
I I have heard TwelveTwenty-Four in one of my
children's high school at atsome point a few years back,
before I even, uh, auditionedfor the band.
And years passed by and just bychance, by a very small chance,
I something just caught my eyeon facebook.
(07:54):
It says auditioning for thisband, and I didn't put two and
two together at that time thatI've previously have seen them
before, but but I said, well,why not?
You know, I'd love to be partof a band that you know goes out
and tours and it's Christmasand it looked fantastic.
They had really cooladvertisement out there for the
(08:15):
auditions and I reached out andI have happened to have been, I
believe, the very last audition,on the very last day, on the
very last spot, and I went outthere and I auditioned and I met
the people that were involvedwith it and at that time it was,
(08:37):
you know, lenny, who was one ofthe founders, and Jay, our
musical director and the founder, and I became part of the team
and I haven't looked back since.
It's been amazing every singleseason.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (08:51):
I love that.
I love that you were the lastperson that they saw and finally
, it was like this one that isour girl.
Van White (09:00):
I believe that she's quite a find.
Let me tell you, she's quite afind.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (09:06):
Well, I was listening to your music
earlier and I love your voiceand, like I said, I'm always
envious of vocalists, but youhave such a beautiful, lovely,
soft tone.
I'm terrible at describing whatis in my head, so forgive me,
I'm like it just sounds pretty.
Ekat Pereyra (09:20):
I don't know how to say that.
Oh, thank you, I reallyappreciate it.
Thank you.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (09:24):
Of course, Dan your turn, though.
Van White (09:26):
All right.
So my story goes back a littlebit further.
So I mean, way back in the mid90s, I was playing in a band
called Free Fall here inScranton area and we traveled
around.
The band did pretty good foritself and we had a pretty good
following.
Well, one of the guys thatloved that band back in the day
(09:47):
happens to be 1224's musicaldirector, jay Santos.
So I knew Jay.
I've known him since the 90s Icouldn't even tell you exactly
when, but I've known him forthat long and then they formed
the band in 2002.
And in 2008, they needed a newguitar player.
(10:09):
So in 2008, I was playing withMr Kevin Riley, who ended up
auditioning for, andsuccessfully entered, Twelve
Twenty-Four in 2008.
So now I was associated with twodifferent band members uh, in
in that band, uh, and I knew ofsome of the other guys in the
band too.
You know, musical circles arekind of small sometimes.
(10:30):
Even though you can travel inbig areas and do different
things, sometimes those musicalmusical circles still remain
small.
So I played with one guy.
I knew another one as a friendand in 2017, when they decided
they needed a drummer, I'mhonestly the lucky guy that got
a phone call and I'm honoredthat that call.
(10:51):
I had no idea that that phonecall was going to come that day,
but I got a phone call, I wentout and I had wings and some
adult beverages with Kevin, mybuddy, and he said you know,
we'd like you to come and play.
And so I got my drums, took themup there, played and I mean it
was funny because at that time Ididn't know is this an audition
(11:15):
, is this a practice?
I really I had no idea, butwhen I played with them, I mean
I was over the moon, was like II mean I'm a pretty much a rock
and roll drummer.
Uh, I love my.
Some my favorite bands are likepink floyd and rage against the
machine.
So I love the, the groove andthe power of rage against the
(11:35):
machine and I love the harmoniesand the feeling of pink floyd.
And when you play in this bandyou get all of that and more so.
It was like fireworks going offin my head and I loved it.
But again, at the time I didn'tknow what it was.
And then, about two weeks later, I got a phone call and they
set up a practice schedule withme and the rest is history.
(11:58):
That was 2017.
And here we are in 24.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (12:02):
That's fantastic.
But when you say that they theysent a practice schedule, was
that your acceptance?
Van White (12:07):
And that's how yeah, that's how I found out.
I showed up for practice, forthe first practice, and that's
you know.
Okay, I guess Am I in the band?
Did I make it?
Yes, Van.
Ekat Pereyra (12:18):
Yeah, the band.
Van White (12:19):
So that's pretty much how it happened.
That's amazing.
Ekat Pereyra (12:21):
And we and when we went to practice and we're like
, oh, hello she didn't know like, oh hi, we didn't know and we
were like, oh, that's, that'sawesome, here's this new member
and uh hello let's do this.
Van White (12:35):
It was awesome cat showed up to practice and there
was a new drummer sitting there,so that was fun though it was a
great surprise and Van does afantastic job.
Ekat Pereyra (12:47):
I mean, he took this to another level, so we're
so super excited he's part ofour team.
Van White (12:54):
I love it.
I'm happy to.
I'm happy I got that phone call.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (12:58):
I love that.
I'm fascinated Well, I'mfascinated by music in general,
especially because I'm notskilled at it myself, but
drummers especially because thisis going to sound so stupid as
someone who isn't a musicianspeaking to musicians.
But the idea of doing twodifferent things with your hands
at the same time, my braincan't process it.
I tried to take piano lessonswhen I was younger and my
(13:20):
teacher kept screaming at mebecause I could not get my left
hand to do something differentthan my right hand.
The same thing was happeningwith both fingers.
Ekat Pereyra (13:29):
I'm like that's.
I don't think that's how thisis supposed to work.
Van actually, van actually doesfour different things at the
same time.
It's two different feet, twodifferent hands, it's all
different doing different things.
I've seen it and I don't knowhow that works either.
I cannot follow that, but it'spretty amazing.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (13:44):
Are you also singing while you're
drumming, or is that a separateYep?
Van White (13:50):
Yeah, I was.
I mean, all right, so thatthat's really simple actually,
and to me it's really simple.
Anyway, that goes back to mesinging them Christmas songs
with my family.
I was a singer long before Iwas a drummer.
Becoming a drummer is a funnystory.
It's a.
It's uh.
Actually I became a drummerover a card game, but uh, it's a
, it's a great story.
I think I have it in some in myinformation somewhere.
(14:12):
But anyways, I was a singerlong before I was a drummer and
when I finally became a drummer,singing was already very
natural to me.
So the the addition of doingthe both of them at the same
time, thankfully was neverreally difficult for me
personally.
That's just how I think ofother people go how do you do
that?
And I said I have no idea, Ireally have no idea, I just do
(14:34):
it, it's magic.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (14:35):
It's magic .
It's magic that you have allyear long.
I love it.
To be honest with you, it's agift from God.
Van White (14:40):
That's Christmas magic, that you have all year
long I love it.
To be honest with you, it's agift from God.
That's the best I could sayabout it.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (14:45):
Yeah, that's.
I mean, it really is a talentand I.
It's great to hear you say thatit's easy, but I promise you
it's not easy.
Twelve Twenty-Four, obviouslythe date is Christmas Eve.
Is that the origin of the nameof the band or is there more to
it?
Van White (15:02):
than that, well, being a Trans-Siberian Orchestra
tribute band, one of theirabsolutely key songs is
Christmas Eve, Sarajevo, and inthat title it's Twelve
Twenty-Four.
So it's kind of named afterthat song.
Of course it's named afterChristmas Eve, and it just
(15:23):
seemed like a good fit to justtell the story of what this band
is in one phrase.
So we play a lot ofTrans-Siberian Orchestra music.
We're a Christmas band.
What better says that thanTwelve Twenty-Four?
Gina Marie Rodriguez (15:37):
I love it and you are, I believe, longest
running tribute band for thetrans Siberian orchestra.
Is that correct?
Van White (15:44):
That's correct.
Ekat Pereyra (15:45):
We are the nations .
Van White (15:46):
Go ahead, Kat you go.
Ekat Pereyra (15:47):
Oh no, I was just going to say that it's uh.
We're the original and longestrunning tribute band to trans
Siberian orchestra.
So I believe, van, correct meif I'm wrong.
Uh, correct me if I'm wrongTrans-Serbian Orchestra started
in 2000?
.
Van White (16:02):
They started, they played their first shows in 99.
They played their first showsin 99.
And this band started in 2002.
Ekat Pereyra (16:08):
So shortly after them is when it took off.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (16:11):
Wow, thank you so much for that correction
.
I'm impressed To start in 2002,and we are currently speaking
to each other in 2024, that'ssome longevity there.
There are plenty of bands whobreak up long before that, so to
go for 20 plus years is reallya feat.
You know a testament, and Iknow that the two of you
(16:33):
necessarily have not been withthe band for 20 years, but still
you are a part of this legacyand that's something to be proud
of.
Van White (16:40):
And you know, hanging out with, like being a part of
it, with those guys that havebeen in it for for 22 years, and
to still see the passion.
Like our musical director, jayhe, just he has this, this
intuition about what's going tocome across great to an audience
(17:00):
.
I'm going to put this song infront of that song.
I'm going to do this song inhere.
Let's do a version of this orlet's do this song.
We'll cut it and we'll movethis one over here.
He has a really, reallyincredible I don't know what the
right word is just an intuitionabout what's going to work and
he's been doing it for 22 years.
(17:22):
And to see him work every year,uh, and to, you know, watch
that process and like sometimesI'll, I'll have an idea and, and
he loves when other people haveinput you know we can throw
some ideas and stuff in but justto see the passion that he
still has, even when we'replaying on stage and he does
(17:44):
this thing, where he it's hekind of directs the band.
I mean, he's the music director, so there's some times in the
show here he will direct theband and to still see how he
does it and the passion that hehas in doing it and the results
that it gets you I mean ouraudience goes on an emotional,
(18:06):
incredible emotional ride andsometimes those emotions are
very high and excited andsometimes those emotions are
beautiful and, you know, tearinducing and so and it goes back
and forth, and how he does itand how he weaves that web.
He's been doing it for 20, 22years, so I mean he's he's
(18:26):
obviously good at it and I givehim all the credit in the world.
I mean the, the shows that heputs together, that we all get
to perform together, are anincredible thing to be a part of
.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (18:39):
He has that vision.
He does.
That's amazing.
Your fearless leader.
Is it fair to call him yourfearless leader?
Van White (18:47):
Yeah, I would agree with that.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (18:49):
Yes, Good, good, I'm going to ask this
question, even though I feelguilty every time I ask a
musician this question.
But do you have a favorite songthat you like to perform?
I know you know they're allyour babies, but is there one
that you really love to perform?
Ekat Pereyra (19:23):
I'd start and I have to say that, since I
believe from the, I believe fromthe very maybe second season,
that I, that I have been withthe band, we did the rendition
of All Holy Night.
That's an original rendition ofthe song and of course it starts
off slow and it just grows intothis rock ballad and you could
just imagine All Holy Night.
You're reaching that peak and Ithink, for me, every season
that I perform that song, it'sone of the highlight of my night
(19:46):
.
It's just such a powerfulmessage.
The truth of Christmas is rightthere in that song and every
word and I could feel theaudience.
You could probably drop a pin,and I could feel the audience,
you could probably drop a pin,and it just sends such a
powerful emotion into theaudience and I receive it back
(20:09):
from them and so to me that'sthe most magical I would say
part of the whole evening isthat particular song and think
no matter how many times, everysingle season, that song is
being performed, it never getsold, it never gets uh,
repetitious, it just it's.
It comes out, you know, new andpowerful every, every, every
(20:33):
time we, we perform that song.
So to me, a holy night is theone I got chills just hearing
you talk about that.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (20:40):
That's also one of my favorite songs to
listen to, of course it.
Van White (20:43):
I mean it's difficult for me to pick one.
I I do have one in mind, butwhat I love about the band is
that there's so many differentkinds of music wrapped up within
one show.
For example, we play some stuffthat is very intricate to play,
both on drums and guitar, andall the other you know
(21:04):
instruments where there's a youknow it's very intricate, so
you've got to be reallytightened together and, um, you
know there's so much going onwith you know with the drums and
you know I'm, you know,spinning around and hitting this
and doing all of this stuff andand obviously those songs are a
lot of fun for me to to playand perform.
Then on the other side of thespectrum is like the rock ballad
(21:27):
type stuff that, like thate-cat mentioned, and I I love
the power in in playing verysimply, you know, just just your
basic beat, like I'll give youan example like a journey
Faithfully would be a song thatcomes to mind that's similar.
I love to perform that song andsome, but the power that's
behind it is intoxicating.
(21:48):
So I love playing that style ofsong as well.
(22:08):
But if I had to pick one songthat I love to perform, I sing
backups and harmony on a lot ofsongs, but the one song that I
sing the lead on I sing the leadon this Christmas Day and I
(22:29):
love to perform it, I love tosing it, I love to play it, I
play it and sing it at the sametime and the rest of the band
comes in with these incredibleharmonies and there's incredible
guitar solo and there'sactually, I think, two solos in
it and there's audienceparticipation and that song has
everything you want in one song.
So I would call it thisChristmas Day is my favorite
(22:50):
song that I enjoy to perform.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (22:52):
I love both of those Great choices,
guys.
I approve.
Not that you need my approval,I like both.
But I wanted to talk about theLavoie Theater, of course,
because this is Jersey Arts,after all.
So you've played the Lavoiebefore.
Are you excited to come back?
Van White (23:09):
Absolutely.
We played the Lavoie last in2019.
And so we're due we're overdueto come back.
When I refer to the Lavoie, Irefer to it as the mighty Lavoie
.
That place is not only abeautiful theater I mean, it is
absolutely one of the moststunning theaters that we play
(23:32):
in.
But the people there and evenlike, even so, we'll get done
playing and we'll jump acrossthe street over to the irish bar
across the street, we'll sit inthere and and, and you know
we've been involved with their,their music and I mean we've
just had a great time.
That town has been wonderful tous.
So it's not only the theater,it's the town, it's the area,
(23:54):
it's the people.
And you know we've been awaysince 2019 and we are super,
super excited to come back tothe mighty lavoie theater.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (24:04):
That's so good to hear, and I agree, that
is such a stunning theater.
I mean, the house there is justgorgeous.
But I'm sure that Millville isvery excited to have you back.
You guys offer meet and greetsafter every show, right?
Sure, specifically, this is afamily event, so I'm wondering
(24:27):
how kids react, or if there'sanything.
Have you ever met a child whosaid I want to do what you do?
Ekat Pereyra (24:38):
I'm just curious about those fan interactions and
those stories.
Well, we talked about the bandbeing around for such a long
time and how you mentioned thatthat's quite a great feat,
because you know, such a longtime for a band to be together.
Well, in this case, there's notonly a band being together, but
there are some fans that havebeen there from the very
beginning and this is theirfamily tradition to come out and
see us every single year.
(24:59):
And the most amazing thing thatyou hear um at at meet and
greet is I've been coming to seeyou for over 20 years, or I
have been coming to see youevery single year.
My Christmas does not startuntil we see you guys.
So to see that level ofcommitment and you know
(25:20):
friendship, it's just amazing.
You know to be part of it andto be able to provide that
emotion and that feeling andthat start of the season to our
fans is quite fantastic.
It's just something that cannotbe described in words.
Sometimes it's overwhelming,that's so sweet.
Van White (25:42):
I find that what I love about the people that come
to see us.
Well, first of all, 22 yearsNow, we're getting the fans'
children, we're getting anothergeneration coming to see us, so
that's incredible as well.
But when you look out at one ofour audiences, you know you
have people in there in theirseventies all the way down to
(26:04):
people bringing very youngchildren.
And what's great about thismusic and in this show is that
we can make every, all of themhappy.
You know when, when, whetheryou're two or 92, this show has
something for you, and that'sone of the things that I've
always loved.
(26:24):
I mean especially, I love, youknow, when somebody brings their
kids up to you and and you knowwe have a big light show and
there's all this stuff going on,and so when a kid you know a
young child sees that stuff,it's really amazing to them.
And then when somebody gets achance to come up and say I love
meeting new people and thechildren, this band makes
(26:45):
ourselves as available as wecould be.
So as soon as we're doneperforming, we try to, you know,
scooch our way out to the frontof the theaters and it's really
a thank you to everybody wewant to say thank you to each
and every person that was inthat theater.
It's not even about a meet andgreet, it's not about us.
It's about us thanking them.
Thank you so much for beinghere, for being a part of it.
(27:06):
But when I meet a child in thatenvironment, you know they'll
always come up and they got why.
You know big, wide eyes andstuff, and uh, I just try and
and just be human and bethankful and be humble and I,
you know, I offered hey, man,you want a drum stick.
You know, hey, you come on up,I'll show you the drum set.
You know, I'll bring a kid upand show, show them the drum set
(27:27):
and and just try to give, togive them as good of an
experience as all of us can.
And I really think that that'sfundamental in this band is just
how thankful we are to ouraudience and we try to give back
as much as we can.
Ekat Pereyra (27:46):
One of my dearest friends brought their
grandchildren to the concertsand that was their very first
rock concert and I know theyhave one of your drumsticks and
they will probably never forgetit.
Um, they were so excited thatwas adorable.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (28:02):
I love this so much.
I love that this is for so manypeople, like you said, their
holiday tradition.
Christmas doesn't start untilthey come see Twelve Twenty-Four
.
That's wonderful.
I'm excited.
Ekat Pereyra (28:14):
Maybe I have a new holiday tradition, I don't know
I would love to have you partof our holiday tradition
absolutely, but do I get adrumstick?
Van White (28:23):
is the question of course, you could either have a
new one, one or one of the onesI beat up.
You can do your choice.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (28:30):
I was going to say do you just keep a
bunch of extra ones around justto hand out to people?
Van White (28:35):
I actually, literally just the other day, I got my
new packs of drumsticks for thisyear, so I should be good for
the year.
I've got plenty, so we'll see.
We'll see how it goes, but I'vegot a whole bag full of them.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (28:49):
I love it.
That's fantastic.
I'm so happy that I got achance to talk to you both.
You're both absolutelywonderful people, and I can only
imagine that the rest of theband is just as wonderful if
you're a family.
So thank you so much for takingthe time.
I appreciate it, gina, thankyou for this opportunity.
Van White (29:05):
We really appreciate it.
And if I could say, like, ifsomebody has no idea, hey, who
is Twelve Twenty-Four?
Who's tso?
I don't know who tso?
Who are these guys?
So if, if, if somebody comes upand says I have no idea who
these, what this band does, Iwould say to them we are
primarily a rock and roll band.
Like you're gonna feel thatkick drum, you're gonna you're
(29:26):
gonna feel those guitars, you'regonna feel that bass.
I mean it's I won't say it'sloud, but it's powerful.
It's like we're a rock and rollband.
And then when you have all ofthe other bells and whistles,
that we have the incrediblevocalists, we have a violin
section when you put that stuffin, it just comes together in an
incredible package.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (29:46):
That is an uplifting Christmas show that's
going to leave you very, veryexcited 1224 will bring their
rock orchestra to the LevoyTheatre in Millville on Sunday,
December 15th, at 7 pm.
For more information, be sureto visit levoynet.
If you liked this episode, besure to review, subscribe and
tell your friends.
(30:07):
A transcript of this podcast,links relevant to the story and
more about the arts in NewJersey can be found at
jerseyartscom.
The Jersey Arts Podcast ispresented by Art Pride New
Jersey, advancing a state ofcreativity since 1986.
The show was co-founded by andcurrently supported by funds
from the New Jersey StateCouncil on the Arts, with
additional support from theNational Endowment for the Arts.
(30:29):
This episode was hosted, editedand produced by me, Gina Marie
Rodriguez.
Executive producers are JimAtkinson and Isaac Cernadiez,
and my thanks to Van White andIka Pereira of 1224 for speaking
with me today.
I'm Gina Marie Rodriguez forthe Jersey Arts Podcast and, as
a special holiday treat fromJersey Arts to you, I will leave
(30:49):
you with the full song thisChristmas Day by Twelve
Twenty-Four, with Van White ondrums and vocals.
Thanks for listening and happyholidays piano solo.
(31:26):
So tell me, christmas, are we wise To believe in things we
never see, our prayers justwishes in disguise?
And are these wishes beinggranted me?
(31:51):
For now I see the answer ringTo every prayer.
I pray.
He's coming home this Christmasday.
So tell me, scranton, are wekind?
(32:27):
Tell me, scranton, are we kind,more this day than any other
day, or is it only in our mindsand must believe when you have
(32:51):
gone away?
It's different.
Now it's changed somehow, andnow you're here to stay.
She's coming home this Christmasday.
Now that once the world doesn'tseem the same, and in a single
(33:34):
night, you know it all haschanged.
Everything is now as it shouldbe.
I have the ornaments, I havethe purgatory, I have a string
of lights.
I have a chance to seeEverything that my heart thought
could be.
For all the dreams, you werethe first I knew, and every
other one was a charade of you.
(33:57):
You stayed close when I was faraway.
And in the darkest nights youalways were the star who always
took me in, no matter who we are.
So she's coming home thisChristmas day.
Oh yeah, she's coming home thisChristmas day.
(34:22):
Sing it.
(34:55):
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas, merry Merry Christmas
, now Merry Christmas now MerryChristmas, merry Merry Christmas
, merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
(35:17):
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Get your hands up.
Merry Christmas, merry, merryChristmas, merry Christmas.
(35:40):
Merry, merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Oh, she's coming home.
She's coming home.
(36:00):
She's coming home to find she'scoming home.
She's coming home, she's cominghome, she's coming home.
(36:27):
This Christmas Day.
This is Gina Marie Rodriguez and you're
listening to the Jersey ArtsPodcast.
It is my favorite season of theyear and any chance that I get
to talk about Christmas, I amgoing to, so I am thrilled that
I was able to speak to a coupleof the band members from the
Rock Orchestra TwelveTwenty-Four.
Known for their electrifyingrenditions of classic holiday
music, Twelve Twenty-Fourcombines the festive spirit with
(00:26):
high-energy rock performancesthat will leave audiences of all
ages wanting more.
They are the longest-runningtrans-Siberian orchestra tribute
band, having begun in 2002,over 20 years ago.
They will soon be thrillingaudiences in Millville, new
Jersey, jersey.
At the beautiful Levoy Theatreon December 15th, I was able to
chat with drummer and vocalistVan White and vocalist Ekat
(00:49):
Pereyra of Twelve Twenty- Four.
Listen to hear us gush aboutChristmas rock music and more
Well, I'm just going to sayhello to you both again and I'm
going to ask you to introduceyourselves and let our listeners
know a little bit about who youare.
Van White (01:08):
Well, first of all, gina, thank you so much for this
opportunity, you know, to justtalk a little bit about the band
.
So my name is Van White.
I am the drummer for TwelveTwenty-Four.
And we do, we all kind of dothings behind the scenes.
I have a lot to do with thebooking.
Another guy is the one who doesall the finances and stuff.
(01:28):
He's not here, and then we haveEkat.
She'll introduce herself injust a moment.
Mainly, I'm the drummer and I'mthe vocalist for one of the
vocalists for Twelve Twenty-Four.
Ekat Pereyra (01:39):
Okay, and my name is Ekat.
Thank you, of course, forhaving us as well.
And I am the vocalist, one ofthe vocalists for the Twelve
Twenty-Four band, and you know Itry to help out little things
here and there, like merchandiseand assisting the rest of the
crew members to if there'sanything that needs to be done.
I try to do the best that I can, but mainly my, my job for the
(02:02):
band is I'm a vocal, a vocalist.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (02:04):
I'm a singer.
I love that.
I'm so envious of singersbecause I love singing along to
the car radio, you know, but itsounds like a cat is dying when
I do it, so, oh, less fun.
Ekat Pereyra (02:15):
I don't believe that you're very sweet.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (02:18):
So I'm a huge fan of Christmas right, and
I know that you two love music.
But since we're going to betalking about Christmas music in
particular, I think I'd firstlove to hear about how you like
to enjoy the holiday season whenyou're not making music, and
what is it about the holidaysthat you love?
Ekat Pereyra (02:34):
So the holidays is just.
It's such an inspiring season,I think, is just an opportunity
to reflect and spend time withyour family and, you know, reach
out to your friends near andfar.
It's a season to be thankfuland to be jolly and it's just
(02:54):
such a happy time of the year.
And for me I grew up in StPetersburg, russia, and, believe
it or not, christmas,particularly on this time,
december 25th, is not celebratedthere, but the spirit is still
there.
We did New Year's, new Year'sEve and New Year's Day was the
(03:16):
big time for us, so it stillencompassed that whole spirit of
the family and being together.
And I think that's what theChristmas season is all about is
just your loved ones, and youknow those ones that are here
and the ones that are not.
You know you're reflecting andand thinking and you know just
(03:38):
so grateful for what you, whatyou have, and that's that's
what's important to me.
Van White (03:43):
I would say that I mean, who doesn't love Christmas
?
I'm sure there's a couple ofpeople out there, but I mean
Christmas is just the mostmagical time of year it's.
I mean, besides calling itmagic, I don't know what else to
call it.
We'll get into some moredetails in a little bit, but I'm
raising some teenage girls andit is just going through these
(04:08):
periods with them is incredibleto see the joy that they have on
their faces and how much joythey give me.
I mean I live my life for mykids.
It's wonderful, and soChristmas is all about family.
It's always been about family.
Me growing up, I'm the youngestof five, so I remember sitting
(04:29):
around the Christmas tree withmy family and we all sang.
That's where I got my start inmusic is singing with my family,
so we would sing just aboutevery Christmas carol that you
know, in beautiful harmony andthat's what I grew up immersed
in, and so Christmas was verymagical for me, even, you know,
(04:52):
from a very young age.
And then, you know, as I grewup and and you know, took the
role of a father and and andthat stuff, I mean it just
continues being magical.
And it's funny because my Iknow that my girls can sing, but
they won't sing in front of me.
Uh, I don't know if they'reembarrassed or whatnot, but uh,
(05:14):
it's kind of funny that thatrole is a little reverse there.
But, um, it's still such amagical time to be able to, to
share it with, um, my family, uh, and then to get to do
something like this band and getto share that love of music and
that feeling of Christmas andall of the magic that's involved
(05:34):
in all of that, and we get toshare it, and that's what makes
this an incredible opportunity.
So I mean, of course it makesit a busy time of year and
you're running every day and yougot to.
You know you're running everyday and you got all this stuff
to do and it goes by in a flash.
You know one minute it's, youknow, november 26th, and the
next minute it's January 1st,and it happens so quick.
(05:57):
But we love it, we look forwardto it, and you know your
question was what is Christmas?
To me, christmas is absolutemagic.
It's togetherness, it'scommunity, it's giving, it's
joyous, and what we get to doencompasses all of that and a
lot more because I'm also a hugeChristmas geek.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (06:22):
Like this is my favorite season of the
year.
I watch all of my Christmasmovies, starting, honestly, the
day after Halloween.
That's what I'm getting startedwith.
I am one of those, and samething with Christmas music right
, that starts as soon asNovember hits.
I'm already in that mood.
There was a joke that I sawonline and I actually I think
(06:43):
it's kind of funny because it'strue there are a lot of people
out there who complain when someof us listen to Christmas music
in November, right, like, waituntil after Thanksgiving.
But part of that is becauseThanksgiving doesn't have the
bangers that Christmas does.
You know, like, christmas musicis a very recognizable and you
(07:03):
can.
You can't dance to all of it,but you can really rock out to
Christmas music and you guys areobviously, you know, a rock
orchestra.
So I, I love Christmas music, Ilove Christmas time and I'm
curious how you found your wayto this band, because Twelve
Twenty-Four was founded in 2002,but you guys joined cat I guess
(07:24):
you were in 2016 and then van2017 so how?
how did you find yourselves here?
Ekat Pereyra (07:32):
sure.
Well, I, it's actually reallyfunny.
I I have heard TwelveTwenty-Four in one of my
children's high school at atsome point a few years back,
before I even, uh, auditionedfor the band.
And years passed by and just bychance, by a very small chance,
I something just caught my eyeon facebook.
(07:54):
It says auditioning for thisband, and I didn't put two and
two together at that time thatI've previously have seen them
before, but but I said, well,why not?
You know, I'd love to be partof a band that you know goes out
and tours and it's Christmasand it looked fantastic.
They had really cooladvertisement out there for the
(08:15):
auditions and I reached out andI have happened to have been, I
believe, the very last audition,on the very last day, on the
very last spot, and I went outthere and I auditioned and I met
the people that were involvedwith it and at that time it was,
(08:37):
you know, lenny, who was one ofthe founders, and Jay, our
musical director and the founder, and I became part of the team
and I haven't looked back since.
It's been amazing every singleseason.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (08:51):
I love that.
I love that you were the lastperson that they saw and finally
, it was like this one that isour girl.
Van White (09:00):
I believe that she's quite a find.
Let me tell you, she's quite afind.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (09:06):
Well, I was listening to your music
earlier and I love your voiceand, like I said, I'm always
envious of vocalists, but youhave such a beautiful, lovely,
soft tone.
I'm terrible at describing whatis in my head, so forgive me,
I'm like it just sounds pretty.
Ekat Pereyra (09:20):
I don't know how to say that.
Oh, thank you, I reallyappreciate it.
Thank you.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (09:24):
Of course, Dan your turn, though.
Van White (09:26):
All right.
So my story goes back a littlebit further.
So I mean, way back in the mid90s, I was playing in a band
called Free Fall here inScranton area and we traveled
around.
The band did pretty good foritself and we had a pretty good
following.
Well, one of the guys thatloved that band back in the day
(09:47):
happens to be 1224's musicaldirector, jay Santos.
So I knew Jay.
I've known him since the 90s Icouldn't even tell you exactly
when, but I've known him forthat long and then they formed
the band in 2002.
And in 2008, they needed a newguitar player.
(10:09):
So in 2008, I was playing withMr Kevin Riley, who ended up
auditioning for, andsuccessfully entered, Twelve
Twenty-Four in 2008.
So now I was associated with twodifferent band members uh, in
in that band, uh, and I knew ofsome of the other guys in the
band too.
You know, musical circles arekind of small sometimes.
(10:30):
Even though you can travel inbig areas and do different
things, sometimes those musicalmusical circles still remain
small.
So I played with one guy.
I knew another one as a friendand in 2017, when they decided
they needed a drummer, I'mhonestly the lucky guy that got
a phone call and I'm honoredthat that call.
(10:51):
I had no idea that that phonecall was going to come that day,
but I got a phone call, I wentout and I had wings and some
adult beverages with Kevin, mybuddy, and he said you know,
we'd like you to come and play.
And so I got my drums, took themup there, played and I mean it
was funny because at that time Ididn't know is this an audition
(11:15):
, is this a practice?
I really I had no idea, butwhen I played with them, I mean
I was over the moon, was like II mean I'm a pretty much a rock
and roll drummer.
Uh, I love my.
Some my favorite bands are likepink floyd and rage against the
machine.
So I love the, the groove andthe power of rage against the
(11:35):
machine and I love the harmoniesand the feeling of pink floyd.
And when you play in this bandyou get all of that and more so.
It was like fireworks going offin my head and I loved it.
But again, at the time I didn'tknow what it was.
And then, about two weeks later, I got a phone call and they
set up a practice schedule withme and the rest is history.
(11:58):
That was 2017.
And here we are in 24.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (12:02):
That's fantastic.
But when you say that they theysent a practice schedule, was
that your acceptance?
Van White (12:07):
And that's how yeah, that's how I found out.
I showed up for practice, forthe first practice, and that's
you know.
Okay, I guess Am I in the band?
Did I make it?
Yes, Van.
Ekat Pereyra (12:18):
Yeah, the band.
Van White (12:19):
So that's pretty much how it happened.
That's amazing.
Ekat Pereyra (12:21):
And we and when we went to practice and we're like
, oh, hello she didn't know like, oh hi, we didn't know and we
were like, oh, that's, that'sawesome, here's this new member
and uh hello let's do this.
Van White (12:35):
It was awesome cat showed up to practice and there
was a new drummer sitting there,so that was fun though it was a
great surprise and Van does afantastic job.
Ekat Pereyra (12:47):
I mean, he took this to another level, so we're
so super excited he's part ofour team.
Van White (12:54):
I love it.
I'm happy to.
I'm happy I got that phone call.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (12:58):
I love that.
I'm fascinated Well, I'mfascinated by music in general,
especially because I'm notskilled at it myself, but
drummers especially because thisis going to sound so stupid as
someone who isn't a musicianspeaking to musicians.
But the idea of doing twodifferent things with your hands
at the same time, my braincan't process it.
I tried to take piano lessonswhen I was younger and my
(13:20):
teacher kept screaming at mebecause I could not get my left
hand to do something differentthan my right hand.
The same thing was happeningwith both fingers.
Ekat Pereyra (13:29):
I'm like that's.
I don't think that's how thisis supposed to work.
Van actually, van actually doesfour different things at the
same time.
It's two different feet, twodifferent hands, it's all
different doing different things.
I've seen it and I don't knowhow that works either.
I cannot follow that, but it'spretty amazing.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (13:44):
Are you also singing while you're
drumming, or is that a separateYep?
Van White (13:50):
Yeah, I was.
I mean, all right, so thatthat's really simple actually,
and to me it's really simple.
Anyway, that goes back to mesinging them Christmas songs
with my family.
I was a singer long before Iwas a drummer.
Becoming a drummer is a funnystory.
It's a.
It's uh.
Actually I became a drummerover a card game, but uh, it's a
, it's a great story.
I think I have it in some in myinformation somewhere.
(14:12):
But anyways, I was a singerlong before I was a drummer and
when I finally became a drummer,singing was already very
natural to me.
So the the addition of doingthe both of them at the same
time, thankfully was neverreally difficult for me
personally.
That's just how I think ofother people go how do you do
that?
And I said I have no idea, Ireally have no idea, I just do
(14:34):
it, it's magic.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (14:35):
It's magic .
It's magic that you have allyear long.
I love it.
To be honest with you, it's agift from God.
Van White (14:40):
That's Christmas magic, that you have all year
long I love it.
To be honest with you, it's agift from God.
That's the best I could sayabout it.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (14:45):
Yeah, that's.
I mean, it really is a talentand I.
It's great to hear you say thatit's easy, but I promise you
it's not easy.
Twelve Twenty-Four, obviouslythe date is Christmas Eve.
Is that the origin of the nameof the band or is there more to
it?
Van White (15:02):
than that, well, being a Trans-Siberian Orchestra
tribute band, one of theirabsolutely key songs is
Christmas Eve, Sarajevo, and inthat title it's Twelve
Twenty-Four.
So it's kind of named afterthat song.
Of course it's named afterChristmas Eve, and it just
(15:23):
seemed like a good fit to justtell the story of what this band
is in one phrase.
So we play a lot ofTrans-Siberian Orchestra music.
We're a Christmas band.
What better says that thanTwelve Twenty-Four?
Gina Marie Rodriguez (15:37):
I love it and you are, I believe, longest
running tribute band for thetrans Siberian orchestra.
Is that correct?
Van White (15:44):
That's correct.
Ekat Pereyra (15:45):
We are the nations .
Van White (15:46):
Go ahead, Kat you go.
Ekat Pereyra (15:47):
Oh no, I was just going to say that it's uh.
We're the original and longestrunning tribute band to trans
Siberian orchestra.
So I believe, van, correct meif I'm wrong.
Uh, correct me if I'm wrongTrans-Serbian Orchestra started
in 2000?
.
Van White (16:02):
They started, they played their first shows in 99.
They played their first showsin 99.
And this band started in 2002.
Ekat Pereyra (16:08):
So shortly after them is when it took off.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (16:11):
Wow, thank you so much for that correction
.
I'm impressed To start in 2002,and we are currently speaking
to each other in 2024, that'ssome longevity there.
There are plenty of bands whobreak up long before that, so to
go for 20 plus years is reallya feat.
You know a testament, and Iknow that the two of you
(16:33):
necessarily have not been withthe band for 20 years, but still
you are a part of this legacyand that's something to be proud
of.
Van White (16:40):
And you know, hanging out with, like being a part of
it, with those guys that havebeen in it for for 22 years, and
to still see the passion.
Like our musical director, jayhe, just he has this, this
intuition about what's going tocome across great to an audience
(17:00):
.
I'm going to put this song infront of that song.
I'm going to do this song inhere.
Let's do a version of this orlet's do this song.
We'll cut it and we'll movethis one over here.
He has a really, reallyincredible I don't know what the
right word is just an intuitionabout what's going to work and
he's been doing it for 22 years.
(17:22):
And to see him work every year,uh, and to, you know, watch
that process and like sometimesI'll, I'll have an idea and, and
he loves when other people haveinput you know we can throw
some ideas and stuff in but justto see the passion that he
still has, even when we'replaying on stage and he does
(17:44):
this thing, where he it's hekind of directs the band.
I mean, he's the music director, so there's some times in the
show here he will direct theband and to still see how he
does it and the passion that hehas in doing it and the results
that it gets you I mean ouraudience goes on an emotional,
(18:06):
incredible emotional ride andsometimes those emotions are
very high and excited andsometimes those emotions are
beautiful and, you know, tearinducing and so and it goes back
and forth, and how he does itand how he weaves that web.
He's been doing it for 20, 22years, so I mean he's he's
(18:26):
obviously good at it and I givehim all the credit in the world.
I mean the, the shows that heputs together, that we all get
to perform together, are anincredible thing to be a part of
.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (18:39):
He has that vision.
He does.
That's amazing.
Your fearless leader.
Is it fair to call him yourfearless leader?
Van White (18:47):
Yeah, I would agree with that.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (18:49):
Yes, Good, good, I'm going to ask this
question, even though I feelguilty every time I ask a
musician this question.
But do you have a favorite songthat you like to perform?
I know you know they're allyour babies, but is there one
that you really love to perform?
Ekat Pereyra (19:23):
I'd start and I have to say that, since I
believe from the, I believe fromthe very maybe second season,
that I, that I have been withthe band, we did the rendition
of All Holy Night.
That's an original rendition ofthe song and of course it starts
off slow and it just grows intothis rock ballad and you could
just imagine All Holy Night.
You're reaching that peak and Ithink, for me, every season
that I perform that song, it'sone of the highlight of my night
(19:46):
.
It's just such a powerfulmessage.
The truth of Christmas is rightthere in that song and every
word and I could feel theaudience.
You could probably drop a pin,and I could feel the audience,
you could probably drop a pin,and it just sends such a
powerful emotion into theaudience and I receive it back
(20:09):
from them and so to me that'sthe most magical I would say
part of the whole evening isthat particular song and think
no matter how many times, everysingle season, that song is
being performed, it never getsold, it never gets uh,
repetitious, it just it's.
It comes out, you know, new andpowerful every, every, every
(20:33):
time we, we perform that song.
So to me, a holy night is theone I got chills just hearing
you talk about that.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (20:40):
That's also one of my favorite songs to
listen to, of course it.
Van White (20:43):
I mean it's difficult for me to pick one.
I I do have one in mind, butwhat I love about the band is
that there's so many differentkinds of music wrapped up within
one show.
For example, we play some stuffthat is very intricate to play,
both on drums and guitar, andall the other you know
(21:04):
instruments where there's a youknow it's very intricate, so
you've got to be reallytightened together and, um, you
know there's so much going onwith you know with the drums and
you know I'm, you know,spinning around and hitting this
and doing all of this stuff andand obviously those songs are a
lot of fun for me to to playand perform.
Then on the other side of thespectrum is like the rock ballad
(21:27):
type stuff that, like thate-cat mentioned, and I I love
the power in in playing verysimply, you know, just just your
basic beat, like I'll give youan example like a journey
Faithfully would be a song thatcomes to mind that's similar.
I love to perform that song andsome, but the power that's
behind it is intoxicating.
(21:48):
So I love playing that style ofsong as well.
(22:08):
But if I had to pick one songthat I love to perform, I sing
backups and harmony on a lot ofsongs, but the one song that I
sing the lead on I sing the leadon this Christmas Day and I
(22:29):
love to perform it, I love tosing it, I love to play it, I
play it and sing it at the sametime and the rest of the band
comes in with these incredibleharmonies and there's incredible
guitar solo and there'sactually, I think, two solos in
it and there's audienceparticipation and that song has
everything you want in one song.
So I would call it thisChristmas Day is my favorite
(22:50):
song that I enjoy to perform.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (22:52):
I love both of those Great choices,
guys.
I approve.
Not that you need my approval,I like both.
But I wanted to talk about theLavoie Theater, of course,
because this is Jersey Arts,after all.
So you've played the Lavoiebefore.
Are you excited to come back?
Van White (23:09):
Absolutely.
We played the Lavoie last in2019.
And so we're due we're overdueto come back.
When I refer to the Lavoie, Irefer to it as the mighty Lavoie
.
That place is not only abeautiful theater I mean, it is
absolutely one of the moststunning theaters that we play
(23:32):
in.
But the people there and evenlike, even so, we'll get done
playing and we'll jump acrossthe street over to the irish bar
across the street, we'll sit inthere and and, and you know
we've been involved with their,their music and I mean we've
just had a great time.
That town has been wonderful tous.
So it's not only the theater,it's the town, it's the area,
(23:54):
it's the people.
And you know we've been awaysince 2019 and we are super,
super excited to come back tothe mighty lavoie theater.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (24:04):
That's so good to hear, and I agree, that
is such a stunning theater.
I mean, the house there is justgorgeous.
But I'm sure that Millville isvery excited to have you back.
You guys offer meet and greetsafter every show, right?
Sure, specifically, this is afamily event, so I'm wondering
(24:27):
how kids react, or if there'sanything.
Have you ever met a child whosaid I want to do what you do?
Ekat Pereyra (24:38):
I'm just curious about those fan interactions and
those stories.
Well, we talked about the bandbeing around for such a long
time and how you mentioned thatthat's quite a great feat,
because you know, such a longtime for a band to be together.
Well, in this case, there's notonly a band being together, but
there are some fans that havebeen there from the very
beginning and this is theirfamily tradition to come out and
see us every single year.
(24:59):
And the most amazing thing thatyou hear um at at meet and
greet is I've been coming to seeyou for over 20 years, or I
have been coming to see youevery single year.
My Christmas does not startuntil we see you guys.
So to see that level ofcommitment and you know
(25:20):
friendship, it's just amazing.
You know to be part of it andto be able to provide that
emotion and that feeling andthat start of the season to our
fans is quite fantastic.
It's just something that cannotbe described in words.
Sometimes it's overwhelming,that's so sweet.
Van White (25:42):
I find that what I love about the people that come
to see us.
Well, first of all, 22 yearsNow, we're getting the fans'
children, we're getting anothergeneration coming to see us, so
that's incredible as well.
But when you look out at one ofour audiences, you know you
have people in there in theirseventies all the way down to
(26:04):
people bringing very youngchildren.
And what's great about thismusic and in this show is that
we can make every, all of themhappy.
You know when, when, whetheryou're two or 92, this show has
something for you, and that'sone of the things that I've
always loved.
(26:24):
I mean especially, I love, youknow, when somebody brings their
kids up to you and and you knowwe have a big light show and
there's all this stuff going on,and so when a kid you know a
young child sees that stuff,it's really amazing to them.
And then when somebody gets achance to come up and say I love
meeting new people and thechildren, this band makes
(26:45):
ourselves as available as wecould be.
So as soon as we're doneperforming, we try to, you know,
scooch our way out to the frontof the theaters and it's really
a thank you to everybody wewant to say thank you to each
and every person that was inthat theater.
It's not even about a meet andgreet, it's not about us.
It's about us thanking them.
Thank you so much for beinghere, for being a part of it.
(27:06):
But when I meet a child in thatenvironment, you know they'll
always come up and they got why.
You know big, wide eyes andstuff, and uh, I just try and
and just be human and bethankful and be humble and I,
you know, I offered hey, man,you want a drum stick.
You know, hey, you come on up,I'll show you the drum set.
You know, I'll bring a kid upand show, show them the drum set
(27:27):
and and just try to give, togive them as good of an
experience as all of us can.
And I really think that that'sfundamental in this band is just
how thankful we are to ouraudience and we try to give back
as much as we can.
Ekat Pereyra (27:46):
One of my dearest friends brought their
grandchildren to the concertsand that was their very first
rock concert and I know theyhave one of your drumsticks and
they will probably never forgetit.
Um, they were so excited thatwas adorable.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (28:02):
I love this so much.
I love that this is for so manypeople, like you said, their
holiday tradition.
Christmas doesn't start untilthey come see Twelve Twenty-Four
.
That's wonderful.
I'm excited.
Ekat Pereyra (28:14):
Maybe I have a new holiday tradition, I don't know
I would love to have you partof our holiday tradition
absolutely, but do I get adrumstick?
Van White (28:23):
is the question of course, you could either have a
new one, one or one of the onesI beat up.
You can do your choice.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (28:30):
I was going to say do you just keep a
bunch of extra ones around justto hand out to people?
Van White (28:35):
I actually, literally just the other day, I got my
new packs of drumsticks for thisyear, so I should be good for
the year.
I've got plenty, so we'll see.
We'll see how it goes, but I'vegot a whole bag full of them.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (28:49):
I love it.
That's fantastic.
I'm so happy that I got achance to talk to you both.
You're both absolutelywonderful people, and I can only
imagine that the rest of theband is just as wonderful if
you're a family.
So thank you so much for takingthe time.
I appreciate it, gina, thankyou for this opportunity.
Van White (29:05):
We really appreciate it.
And if I could say, like, ifsomebody has no idea, hey, who
is Twelve Twenty-Four?
Who's tso?
I don't know who tso?
Who are these guys?
So if, if, if somebody comes upand says I have no idea who
these, what this band does, Iwould say to them we are
primarily a rock and roll band.
Like you're gonna feel thatkick drum, you're gonna you're
(29:26):
gonna feel those guitars, you'regonna feel that bass.
I mean it's I won't say it'sloud, but it's powerful.
It's like we're a rock and rollband.
And then when you have all ofthe other bells and whistles,
that we have the incrediblevocalists, we have a violin
section when you put that stuffin, it just comes together in an
incredible package.
Gina Marie Rodriguez (29:46):
That is an uplifting Christmas show that's
going to leave you very, veryexcited 1224 will bring their
rock orchestra to the LevoyTheatre in Millville on Sunday,
December 15th, at 7 pm.
For more information, be sureto visit levoynet.
If you liked this episode, besure to review, subscribe and
tell your friends.
(30:07):
A transcript of this podcast,links relevant to the story and
more about the arts in NewJersey can be found at
jerseyartscom.
The Jersey Arts Podcast ispresented by Art Pride New
Jersey, advancing a state ofcreativity since 1986.
The show was co-founded by andcurrently supported by funds
from the New Jersey StateCouncil on the Arts, with
additional support from theNational Endowment for the Arts.
(30:29):
This episode was hosted, editedand produced by me, Gina Marie
Rodriguez.
Executive producers are JimAtkinson and Isaac Cernadiez,
and my thanks to Van White andIka Pereira of 1224 for speaking
with me today.
I'm Gina Marie Rodriguez forthe Jersey Arts Podcast and, as
a special holiday treat fromJersey Arts to you, I will leave
(30:49):
you with the full song thisChristmas Day by Twelve
Twenty-Four, with Van White ondrums and vocals.
Thanks for listening and happyholidays piano solo.
(31:26):
So tell me, christmas, are we wise To believe in things we
never see, our prayers justwishes in disguise?
And are these wishes beinggranted me?
(31:51):
For now I see the answer ringTo every prayer.
I pray.
He's coming home this Christmasday.
So tell me, scranton, are wekind?
(32:27):
Tell me, scranton, are we kind,more this day than any other
day, or is it only in our mindsand must believe when you have
(32:51):
gone away?
It's different.
Now it's changed somehow, andnow you're here to stay.
She's coming home this Christmasday.
Now that once the world doesn'tseem the same, and in a single
(33:34):
night, you know it all haschanged.
Everything is now as it shouldbe.
I have the ornaments, I havethe purgatory, I have a string
of lights.
I have a chance to seeEverything that my heart thought
could be.
For all the dreams, you werethe first I knew, and every
other one was a charade of you.
(33:57):
You stayed close when I was faraway.
And in the darkest nights youalways were the star who always
took me in, no matter who we are.
So she's coming home thisChristmas day.
Oh yeah, she's coming home thisChristmas day.
(34:22):
Sing it.
(34:55):
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas, merry Merry Christmas
, now Merry Christmas now MerryChristmas, merry Merry Christmas
, merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
(35:17):
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Get your hands up.
Merry Christmas, merry, merryChristmas, merry Christmas.
(35:40):
Merry, merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Merry Christmas, merry MerryChristmas, merry Christmas,
merry Merry Christmas, merryChristmas.
Have a Merry Christmas now.
Oh, she's coming home.
She's coming home.
(36:00):
She's coming home to find she'scoming home.
She's coming home, she's cominghome, she's coming home.
(36:27):
This Christmas Day.
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