Voxtrot
This Austin, Texas group certainly does not try to imitate, nor does its sound fit with some of the too fresh pop rock of the last five or six years. There is a taste of techno/David Bowie/British punk here as well. If you don’t believe it, just listen to "Firecracker Ova Looven" remix. I was not sure what I listened to at first, but I liked it. "Firecracker" (Playlouder 2007) is rather fascinating, actually. The keyboard creativity makes these tunes work, holding the crisp vocals together. Some may argue that this is not new or fresh. Others will not be so sure.
"Every Day" starts out innocently enough, a melodic tune that is easy on the ears. But why does this group’s music bring Andy Warhol and Devo to mind? I can’t quite make the connection. There’s something disconnected in there, frightening in the way that Warhol’s view of reality was. Then there’s that song "Your Biggest Fan" which for some reason reminds me of Donovan Leitch (Mellow Yellow), even of the Beatles in their Sgt. Pepper days.
Band members include Jason Chronis, Mitch Calvert, Matt Simon, Jared Van Fleet and Ramesh Srivastava. First formed about five years ago, Voxtrot only recently released a full menu of tunes for their growing number of fans.
Tags: music, independent music, voxtrot, indie music, indie
February 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I hear a definite Beatles influence in these guys, and in this instance it is a good thing. The instrumentals on “Your Biggest Fan” is brilliant. I like it so much that it’s not getting heavy rotation in my player. And then theres ” The Start of Something”. Definitely a fresh unique sound, and just what the Austin music scene needs. I’ll be looking out for you guys locally and hope to catch you live someday in Austin.
February 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I must say, the Ova Looven remix of Firecracker is unbelievable. It takes the original
song, which is already amazing and turns it into a melodic, dance-punk funk orientated frenzy. Well done and highly recommended.
February 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Wow, these guys certainly have a different sound from the majority of people I’ve heard, and that’s a really good thing. The lyrics remind me a lot of Dandy Warhol songs I’ve heard- easy listening with an addictive beat. I’m really loving Firecracker and it’s remix the most. The Start of Something also has a great beat. See, what I love about bands like these are that they -aren’t- like the majority of popular songs out there. They’ll never remind me of My Chemical Romance or the Killers. Not to say that they aren’t good bands or anything, but aspiring bands always strive so hard to sound punkish and the exact same as their rolemodels. I prefer new, fresh sound. Voxtrot is one of those bands.
February 10th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
A Beatles influence?
Considering the wide spectrum of musical styles the Fab Four did cover during their almost-decade as a group, it wouldn’t be too surprising if perceptive performers such as Voxtrot didn’t, in some fashion, channel some of their musical techniques, whether it be in the use of harmony, the instrumentation, or the songwriting style.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Yeah really, who doesn’t have some of that Beatles influence in their music. Many bands that don’t even realize are emulating the Beatles. The Beatles have influenced more bands and singers, I think, than anyone in the history of rock music.
April 14th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I love the Ova Looven Remix!!!!
Does anyone know where they’re from?
May 4th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Yep, they are from Austin, Tx. If you are a big indie music lover, or even just a music lover in general, then you should definitely try to make a trip to Austin one day. It is well worth it :-).