ex-Voxtrot frontman releases "The King"

Voxtrot loved The Smiths. maybe Ramesh will have a solo career as prolific as Morrissey's? decide for yourself:

Ramesh - The King [mp3]

interview: International Waters (+ photos from Voxtrot's final SF show)

International Waters opened up for Voxtrot last Saturday night on their Goodbye World Tour. photos from the concert can be found below, but first, some insight into the band

Great American Music Hall

29 May 2010

l-r: Marcus (drums), Ryan (guitars), Mitch (vox, guitars), Johnathon (bass)

How did the band come about? I saw Jason from Voxtrot playing with you guys on stage.
Mitch: he doesn’t fly, so when we drove out here to do our stuff with Voxtrot, he came along. He figured he’d play with us and stuff. He actually played synthesizer on the EP.
Ryan has been Voxtrot’s tour manager since the beginning. He’s known Ramesh way longer than me, since they were 14 or 15. When Voxtrot toured, I got to know him really well. One night, I got really drunk and I had a blanket over my head and said, [in an old man sailor voice] “you know what, one day, I’m gonna start my own band and it’s gonna be called…International Waters!”

Cause you were in a pirate mood?
Mitch: I was in a pirate mood! As Voxtrot did so so or whatever, I told Ryan we’ve gotta start our own band, ‘cause we have such similar taste in music. We met Marcus…

Marcus: A girl I went to school with was roommates with a girl who worked with Ryan, and I mentioned I was a fan of Voxtrot, and then I met Ryan, who said “oh we might be looking for a new drummer” and I was all “oh good, I hate the band I’m in” so yeah.

Mitch: and we met Johnathon because Johnathon asked us to play while we had a different bass player at his DJ night, Sob Scene, we were like, “if we could get a bass player that had this good taste in music, that’d be amazing”

So what kind of music are we talking about that you all love?
Mitch: [Sob Scene] is a Brit Pop night, so we’re digging, like, Orange Juice…ask him!

What do you listen to all the time, Johnathon?
Johnathon: Pulp, Jarvis Cocker, Blur. I saw Blur play at Hyde Park last summer. I think Damon Albarn is a genius, he might be the best genius in the world. Jarvis is close to my heart but Damon Albarn is just a jack of all trades musician.

What did you guys learn from Voxtrot or other previous bands?
Mitch: learning how to tour, and it’s really not as complicated as people want it to be. Also, there’s always more to do and there’s always bigger things to do and more ambition to have

Ryan: There’s a level of tenacity…nobody’s gonna sign your band, no one’s gonna come and do it for you, you have to just got out and do it. Like, from the moment we played our first show, we said ok, we’ll put out our first 7”, we’ll play some shows. We had our first show last year but we’ve already had two records [EPs] out and two tours so far, which is pretty good. With Voxtrot, it went like this [motions upward skyrocketing motion], so we learned that that was possible.

You guys didn’t produce your own stuff, did you?
Mitch: right, so on the tour only cd, I just did in the bedroom, and these guys mixed them too, but the full length we’re gonna produce ourselves, and we’d like it to be more lo-fi. The stuff that’s on this EP that we’re about to release was done by Jason and Matt of Voxtrot, and they did a really good job on it, but it is a little clean.

How far along are you in making the full length record?
Mitch: We’ve got like 20 songs that could be recorded, we’re probably gonna cut some things, but we’ve got a lot of material. We’ll probably do it on a four-track tape recorder, and that will give it a little bit more of an edge than the EP was, and then this 7”, the two songs on that was recorded by this guy Frenchie Smith in Austin, he records, like Jet and stuff, that’s why it sounds big and clean and stuff

Ryan: Which we like, he did a great job.

Do you wish you could be a part of a different musical movement?
Johnathon: Well my [other] band [The Villas]is like a power pop band and power pop is obviously dead…Bowling for Soup killed it. [they all laugh]. I try to bring it back a little bit—early Weezer, that sort of thing. I sing and play guitar. So I kind of wish I was in a different era. I was around in the 90s, but you know, it would have been cool to be a part of it, making music then. At least now, I have less competition.

Marcus: I don't wish I were in any other era than right now

Ryan: if I could speak for Mitch, Mitch would love the 60s. I, being a massive history buff, would probably freak out over anything and really enjoy it. If I really had to, I would say 60s. I’m a nostalgic kind of person. I like old cars, old houses, old clothes, old looking people.

The musty smell.
Ryan: it smells good to me, it smells like my grandma’s house

Marcus: I wish I was in the future.

Ryan: my grandma used to smoke weed. I have an aunt out here tonight, who caught her smoking weed, in like, 1985. Seriously, though, from 1960 to 1970, what decade has been more diverse, yet more influential in every single part of its design, be it, fashion, the clothing involved, visual design, advertising, music, drugs. Drugs, they never went away. I mean, people have loved being fucked up forever, but they really loved the 60s

Johnathon: We had the space program too.

Ryan: We had the best elements of psychedelia that people loved and still try to emulate now, but you also had these amazing pop songs. Early Beatles, The Zombies and a million other bands.

Any band, past or present, that you could tour with?
Ryan: Mitch would go for something like The Zombies, The Smiths, Aztec Camera, maybe something like Orange Juice, which we covered earlier tonight.

Johnathon: I’ve got mine. Weezer, 1996, on the Pinkerton tour. With Ash—a great Irish powerpop band. If I could tour with them for those first two albums, man. At that point they were the best band in the world. Since then, they’ve slowly been on the decline. I mean, there’s a couple of good pop songs on the new album, but there’s also, like, Lil Wayne. There’s some pretty bad shit. Rivers is having a midlife crisis.

Marcus: I do love Spoon. Spoon would be cool. I’ve never really thought about it before.

Ryan: I’m gonna name the big one. I’m going with The Beatles

I’ve never gotten that answer before.

Ryan: It’s so obvious. Everyone wants to be a little obscure. I mean, seriously, who would fucking hate touring with the Beatles. Look at what they’ve done.

And all of the leftover crazy fan girls, they’d be yours!

Ryan: yes.

Marcus: There are a lot of leftovers. So many leftovers.

Ryan: yeah, The Beatles, The Smiths. I really like pop music. If I could do a tour with Elliott Smith. I love that guy. I never view it as depressed. I see it as joyful. He has songs about, like, coming down, but they sound like cherubs, and you can’t argue with that.

International Waters - Olympia [mp3]

the chorus lyric "heaven's on fire" comes from the Radio Dept song of the same name.

more photos:

Ryan Hall

Mitch Calvert

Voxtrot:

it would be too painful to attempt to do a write up of this concert. needless to say it was more bittersweet than my favourite bar of Scharffen Berger.

set list:

goodbye Voxtrot.

I am very sad to report that one of my favourite bands ever have decided to part ways. after a short tour (including a SF show in late May), Ramesh will move in a different direction musically.

he says:

"For me, the most important thing in life is leaving behind something beautiful, something that finds its way into the lives of strangers, and forever alters them in a positive manner."

read more HERE (isn't that just the most depressing title ever?)

Voxtrot - Ghost [mp3]

Goodbye, Cruel World… 2010 Tour Dates

MAY 21 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
MAY 22 – Appleton, WI @ Lawrence University
MAY 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
MAY 29 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
JUNE 3 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
JUNE 23 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
JUNE 25 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

BONUS:

there is a very nice writeup about Voxtrot at We All Want Someone to Shout For

Voxtrot to play GAMH in May

our favourite Austin boys will bring their sharp pop gems to San Francisco's Great American Music Hall on May 29th. tickets go on sale on Sunday. this gig has not been posted on Voxtrot's website or MYSPACE so they will probably post details for a full tour soon...and I will post it of course

Voxtrot - Kid Gloves [mp3]

new Voxtrot single + interview

Austin's Voxtrot is one of my favourite bands. A couple of weeks ago, they announced their new single, "Berlin, Without Return...", and it sounds great. I like it a lot; even though "Trepanation Party" was interesting, I prefer this new single. It draws back from their older EPs (which in my opinion, was their best work). There are lots of pretty string arrangements, too. You can order the 7" or buy it on itunes by clicking HERE

I had the chance to ask lead singer Ramesh Srivastava a few questions. He was super quick in getting back to me, but his responses were a bit concise. Oh well, the music speaks for itself. Read on below:

Before releasing your debut, you released a bunch of EPs. Lately, you’ve been releasing singles. Have you begun to work on a full length album or are you just warming up your creative buds right now?

I suppose we are probably releasing a full length album, however, we'll probably start with an EP and see how we go from there.

Your keyboard player Jared recently left the band. How is Voxtrot different without him?

Cheaper travel costs.

While “Trepanation Party” was delightfully synth filled, your latest single draws back to the layered simplicity of your earlier songs. Are you treading between these territories or have you found your niche yet?

Not sure, just trying all kinds of things, I suppose. There is, however, a goal in mind.

I see that you are releasing your latest single via the recent trend of a 7” I know you’ve done this with previous singles and EPs, too. What do you think about the future of digital music?

I have no idea where we are going with the future of digital music. At this point, the only thing I mind is that nobody is hearing anything at great sounds fidelity. It's all mp3s...

Your live shows are quite a spectacle. You’re always up and about, dancing your heart out. How do you feel when you see musicians remaining static as they play?

It depends upon that band. Honestly, both can be good-I'm trying to work on a delicate mixture.

How has working with Jim Eno been? Are Voxtrot fans of Spoon?

Jim is great-he is really nice and studio is amazing. Any sound a musician might desire, Jim can create that sound. I am not terribly familiar with the Spoon catalog, but they are fantastic live performers.

Your lyrics are very memorable. Where do you draw inspiration for these words? Do you have a favourite lyricist or poet?

My favorite lyricists are probably Bill Callahan and Joni Mitchell-also Stuart Murdoch, and my favorite printed page writer is John Berger-beautiful use of language and subtle detail. I suppose I get my inspiration from the more subtle aspects of the lives of either real or fictional characters.

You’re originally from Scotland, right? What brought you to Austin? Do you prefer the indie-rock scene here better than Brit-pop?

I am actually from Austin-I went to university for several years in Scotland-it was wonderful. American and British music is so different that it is hard for me to make a choice between them. However, were it an imperative, I would likely say British.

What have you been playing on repeat lately?

Los Valentinos-Midnights (Emperor Machine Remix)

What current band(s) do you admire?

Deerhunter, Ponytail, The Field, Vampire Weekend.

Can we expect a new tour anytime soon?

Hopefully sooner than later, so, yes.

Any last words?

Stay tuned...

Voxtrot - Trepanation Party [mp3]

visit Voxtrot on MYSPACE to stream the new song and for other cool stuff.

Band of the Week: Voxtrot

It is absolutely no secret who my favourite band is.

Some people may be surprised to know, however, that my all time favourite song wasn’t, in fact, written by Julian Casablancas. And no, it’s not a super well known song (like, say, “Stairway to Heaven”). It’s not even on a full album. It comes from an EP called Raised by Wolves, by a band called Voxtrot.

I haven't listened to Voxtrot in ages. I mean, I listened to their new single a few days ago, but I hadn't listened to the whole debut album in a really long time. I have, however, been listening to The Smith's The Queen is Dead over and over, and it made me nostalgic for my favourite Texas band (sorry, Spoon).

I discovered Voxtrot when they opened up for Arctic Monkeys two years ago. I liked their set a lot, so did the friend I was with, and we were both upset by the rest of the audience, who were being incredibly rude and were booing the band off of the stage, wanting Alex Turner instead. I ended up buying their album, and later falling in love with it. I subsequently came across the most happy-go-lucky-yet-strangely-depressing-oh-how-I-love-it song ever.

behold, Hanan's all time favourite song:

Voxtrot - The Start of Something [mp3, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]

I hope that will entice you to pick up their self titled debut album and get acquainted with it. They’re out of hiatus mode, so we can probably expect a new release within the next year.

VOXTROT ARE BACK! (+new song!)

one of my favourite bands ever, Austin-based Voxtrot, have finally resurfaced on the internet!

they've been on hiatus for forever and a day.

Ramesh writes:

Dear World,

Things have been rather quiet round the Voxtrot camp these last two
years. Nonetheless, we are thrilled to be reentering the musical minds
of you and your loved ones. During the week of the South By Southwest
Music Festival, we will be performing two concerts. These will coincide
with the premier of a new song, which was produced, recorded and mixed by Jim Eno [Spoon] at his studio in Austin.

Regarding our absence, sometimes one needs to disappear in order to
regroup; situations change and human beings are swept here and there
by the marvelous ebb and flow of culture.

And so, there can be only this: a return to a love of music.

Love,
Ramesh
THIS IS SO EXCITING!

I've listened to the song, it's not their best; it sounds like a mix between jumping on the electronica bandwagon musical fad of the year and that song that the Oompa Loompas sing about Violet in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory



regardless, Voxtrot are back in action and that is all that matters. they'll be at SXSW this year.

Voxtrot - Trepnation Party (new song!) [mp3]
available to download for free on their WEBSITE, I'm just making your life easier

VOXTROT ON AMAZON

the man is trying to supress me.

so my box account [where I upload all of the songs I post on this blog] was shut down because I've been posting mp3s here so I just went ahead and created a new one. the only songs which I'm reuploading are "The Start of Something" by Voxtrot and "Scared" by Albert Hammond Jr because they were the ones which were downloaded the most, not to mention two of my favourite songs. if you guys want me to reupload anything, I'd be happy to, just drop me a message.

I've just finished my first year at uni, and I'm enjoying the nothingness that I am lucky enough to have right now. more posts soon, I promise, I just need some days of absolute emptyness.

just one scrap of music news that is pretty cool, Alicia Keys wants to collaborate with The White Stripes, because she admires their raw sound and parallels it with her own voice. keep a look out for that [I of course will keep you posted]

Voxtrot!

I discovered Voxtrot when I went to see the Arctic Monkeys in concert, and was very angered by all the people in the audience who were booing this very talented band because they were eager for Alex Turner et al. I bought their record, and absolutely loved it (I still listen to it quite regularly). If I remember correctly, this band hails from Austin, TX. All of the people I've talked to like Voxtrot's older stuff (EPs, seeing as how the eponymous record that I have is their debut) more, and I found some mp3s floating around the internet. I realized what all of those people meant. Their old stuff is gold (I still love their debut record but wow I never realized I could like them more). Anyhow, I need to go down and get their EPs but here are a couple of mp3s for you all to enjoy. The second one is so very brit pop, I LOVE it.


Voxtrot - Trouble [mp3]

Voxtrot - The Start of Something [mp3-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!]

and, here's one off of their debut album

Voxtrot - Firecracker [mp3]

catchy, isn't it?
=)