In this interview spotlight, I chat with VOLK about their latest project, motivations, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I (Chris) am from Palestine (pronounced Palesteeeeene), TX, in East Texas…the part that gets made fun of by the rest of the state. Eleot hails from San Diego, California; she says they invented the burrito there. Our genre changes upon the type of venue I’m trying to book, but lately I’ve liked the terms CowPunk, Glam-Dirt Rock, or my personal favorite, Country-Fried RocknRoll.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Utter desperation! Both of us are socially awkward and don’t do really well in the 9-5 world. We’re still trying to find who we are supposed to sell out to though…Do you know anyone we could sell out to?
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Our second EP, “Average American Band,” is meant to showcase the over-the-top, shoot-from-the-hip-ray-lioata-in-goodfellas-pistol-lip, slap-your-momma-in-da-face, turn-that-shit-down-dammit RocknRoll experience that is a live VOLK show; Loud suits and louder amps, shiny dresses and shinier drums. Our original EP, Boutique Western Swing Compositions, is more of a tribute to our love of Spaghetti Westerns, Swing, Country, and Classic Rock. “Average American Band” says “fuck it; we’re gonna rock this town or die trying.”
We just released AAB on November 17th through Romanus Records; the cow splatter design makes for a great stocking stuffer this holiday season…Romanus Records…ahem
Here are links to both:
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Wearing a lot of hats and trying to find a bullhorn to break through all the cacophony. There’s just two of us trying to do the work of a team that a label used to set up for a band; We are our own booker, promoter, branding team, manager, social media expert, merch guy/gal, roadie…sometimes we play music. Services like Submithub and Indieonthemove (I think its how I found you!) have been super helpful in getting write-ups and connecting with DIY venues across the country, respectively. Instagram and Facebook are great with connecting with and building a loyal fan base. I don’t really even think of them as fans, just friends in specific cities that we get to go rock out with every couple of months…that I blatantly try and get to give me money. So I guess they are more like my relatives when I think about it.
What was the last song you listened to?
“Placeholder: by Lung! They are my favorite Cincy band. It’s a two piece but the lead singer has an electric cello hooked up to a big muff. They play in Murfreesboro on January 24th at Media Rerun; definitely check them out!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Can’t be having a physical vinyl; it’s more like an actual piece of art…like one you could give as a present to someone for the Holidays…Romanus Records…AHEM.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Bandcamp is definitely most supportive of bands, but then again I spend most of life in a van…and I’m a complete hypocrite…so I’ve got Spotify going all the time…ahem…Speaking of which, the more followers on Spotify the easier it is for me to book shows…VOLK – Average American Band
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Instagram and Facebook are our main social media outlets. Its sort of like being the star of a poorly produced sitcom. Inserting shameless plug NOW:
Anything else before we sign off?
Ya’ll can also follow us on Youtube (plays and follows really really really help with booking!)
umm…Eleot and I would like thank everyone who helps support us in our quest not to have real jobs.Love you Mom! Go Cowboys! Billy Joe Schaver and Ray Wylie Hubbard Forever! RIP Stan Lee “Excelsior!”
