Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Album: Divide & Conquer
Band Members: Mark Charles Heidinger (vocals, multiple instruments), Rose Guerin (vocals)
For Fans Of: Elliott Smith, Frank Sinatra, The Bird & The Bee

Mark Charles Heidinger, the primary member of Vandaveer, is at once an old soul and a little child trapped in a 32-year-old's body. His band's name comes from the middle name of many men in his family, the word engraved on a pocket watch passed down for as many generations as the name itself. He balks at the idea of reading on a Kindle ("I want the pages, man") and begins our conversation by saying, "I am often failed by modern technology—I couldn't answer my phone." Yet he believes the kids' section of The Washington Post is "absolutely the best part of the whole paper" and draws as much songwriting inspiration from Shel Silverstein as from the work of John Steinbeck. The music on Vandaveer's upcoming second album, Divide & Conquer (out Aug. 25 on Supply & Demand Music) reflects this duality, with lyrics referencing both World War I and children's author Beverly Cleary in daydreamy songs featuring rich piano melodies and the pure, delicate voice of bandmate Rose Guerin.

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