Things you should (and probably already) know:
1. Voxtrot is a band. (dur)
2. You can call them all sorts of things but you can’t call them lazy.They released not 1, not 2, but 3 EPs in a little over a year, set the goddamn pitchfork on fire, and then went on and recorded a debut self-titled album using NONE of the songs from the EPs but all original, all good material.(read Matthew’s review here)
3. They are on tour now with Au Revoir Simone and Favourite Sons, playing their accessible retro tinged indie pop to whoever will listen.
4. And a lot of people do (listen). And you can too, this Wednesday at the Black Cat.
Also:
5. Voxtrot wins for the fastest interview responders in the history of all BYT interviews (which at this point are in solid 40+) by turning them around in less time than it takes some people to say: “Please talk to our publicist”. No wonder the interweb universe loves them. Hard.
ok, off we go. And by we, we mean: we and Ramesh, the Voxtrot singer.
PROLOGUE: As I type this, it is the day before “Voxtrot” the ALBUM gets released. Tomorrow your whole life could be different so we have some questions about your last day before the rest of your life as a fully recorded/nationally distributed artists. Ready, ok?
BYT: What did you have for breakfast?
Ramesh:Kashi “Go-Lean” and Vanilla Soymilk.
Did the coffee smell any different?
I don’t drink coffee.
Did you read anything? (and what?)
My email.
Listen to anyone?
Yes, I listened to Matmos on the way to the studio.
Do a victory dance? (and what to?)
Pride goeth before a great fall.
Bite any nails?
Yes, to disastrous effects, my right middle finger really hurts.
Make a ridiculous statement that says: I am rich and famous now? (Like, purchase a quarter life crisis car etc?)
Nope.
Talk to anyone on the phone?
James, our manager.
BYT: Now that we got that out of the way we can focus on some proper questions…
You self released 3 EPs before this LP. And there is no song overlap. How does the this amazingly prolific songwriting process work?
RS: I guess if your job is to make music, then it would make sense to have a seemingly prolific output. I try and be regimented about doing it
everyday.
BYT: Good for you. Are there any plans to have the EPs reissued? Or added as a special second disc or…?
RS: My hope has always been that the EPs would be reissued as one compiled disk, but I’m not sure when that will happen.
BYT: Now you are with Playlouderecordings. What was the difference between being your own boss and having a boss?
RS: With an indie record label, you’re still kind of your own boss, but I would be lying if I said that it didn’t make me feel a greater sense of pressure.
BYT: Do you still plan to keep your label running? If maybe not with your own stuff but with other freshly minted bands? Who are the best bands we’ve (probably) never heard of? What are you listening to these days?
RS: Yeah, we want to start issuing things again.
Bands I would like to work with include: Finally Punk, Yellow Fever, and Sleeping States.
BYT: You recorded the album in New York. Did you miss Austin ?
RS: Not really. Austin’s nice, but it’s even nicer if you go away for a while.
BYT: Austin has, according to many, the best live music scene in this country, do you think being there, right in the midst of constant live shows and festivals etc… has helped you than if you were, say, from Boise (no offense to Idaho)?
RS: I’m sure it helps somewhat, but until last year, I lived in Scotland so the Austin scene was not, for some time, a terribly huge factor for our band. These days, however, I’m much more involved.
BYT: What song are you most proud of on this album, and why? (and we do know it is like picking a favorite of your own children but…)
RS: I think Firecrcaker, Real Live Version, and Blood Red Blood, because all three turned out pretty close to the original vision.
BYT: Is there a song you wish you had written, but someone else beat you to it?
RS: Idioteque by Radiohead.
BYT: A lot of the Voxtrot early success is very web and word of mouth based, can you even imagine being a band before the interweb took over?
RS: Yeah, I think it would have just taken a lot longer. Or maybe it would have been shorter, I’m not really sure.
BYT: Any particular shoutouts, thank yous etc?
RS: I guess my friends and family, but that’s probably more of a liner notes thing.*
BYT: Last time you played in DC we saw you “in some student center” at Georgetown (we forget the name, but it was last spring) now it is Black Cat mainstage time. Tho on a Wednesday. What will it take for Voxtrot to play DC on a Saturday?
RS: I guess the routing would have to work out. Historically, we’ve had trouble even getting to DC, so if we can at least make it to the venue that’s a pretty good start.
BYT: Any special plans while in the District? Sights you always wanted to see? People to meet? Hands to shake? Faces to punch?
RS: My Great Uncle Ted lives in Georgetown.
BYT: You are touring with the lovely “Au Revoir Simone” whom we interviewed right before they went on tour with Peter, Bjorn and John. They seem to have the touring with indie it boys niche locked down. How did you guys decide to play with them?
RS: We played with them in NY a few years ago, and thought it would be fun to do it again. They are REALLY nice girls.
BYT: What can DC (for those that did not see you at Georgetown ) expect during the show?
RS: Raw power! Just kidding, well maybe something like raw power, but no broken glass or anything.
BYT: And finally, now that the record is out, and you have your own mini real world Voxtrot series every Wednesday on the web…what is next for you guys? A tour, a reality show, a dance video?
RS: Action figures.
Naturally.
(want more of Voxtrot than a measly online interview can provide?
-listen to Kid Gloves from Voxtrot the ALbum Here
-listen to Trouble from Your Biggest Fan EP Here
-listen to Mothers Sisters Daughters & Wives from the Mothers….EP Here
-listen to The Start of Something from the Raised by Wolves EP Here
-Subscribe to Playlouder’s Voxtrot podcast here
-Check out some tour shorts: here and here
-Befriend them on myspace here (at last count you can be their 30 793rd friend)
or just say “screw it” to all the internet research and go see them at the Cat on Wednesday.
