VOXTROT interview – VIEW Magazine (4 October 2007)

Voxtrot

“You’re not going to ask me how the band formed, are you?”

The above phrase was one of the first sentences out of the mouth of Voxtrot front man Ramesh Srivastava after I finally manage to hook up with him for a quick chat about his band’s Hamilton debut, happening on Thanksgiving Monday at Absinthe.

Usually, hearing these words in an interview is the kiss of death, a definite clue that the interview you are trying to conduct is heading the wrong way fast. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case this time, although the Austin based musician was a little more stressed out than I am sure he wanted to be.

When I did connect with Ramesh somewhere in coastal Oregon, he and his band were driving from Portland to Seattle for a Saturday night show. Ramesh, the band’s main songwriter and de facto leader, was a little burnt out from a long year of touring, not to mention the fact he accidentally left his travel bag at the previous night’s show. The knapsack contained his passport, cell phone and ID, all essentials if you’re in a touring band, especially one that supposed to cross the border into Canada in less than 24 hours’ time.

“It’s still all gone,” confirms the vocalist with worry. “It’s probably joining us in Seattle tonight. I hope so at least, or else I won’t be able to get into Canada.”

Things like this are what nightmares are made of for bands that tour as much as Voxtrot does. The band has been a regular touring act for much of the past three years, first supporting the three self–released EPs, and now touring behind their new self–titled debut album, which was released in June by the Beggars Group imprint Playlouder.

Talking to Ramesh, it becomes painfully obvious that they’ve been on tour maybe a little more than they would have liked to, but he’s professional enough to grin and bear it.

“Tour is going mid to fair,” jokes Srivastava. “No, it’s fine, it’s just that we’ve been on tour too long. Once you’re on stage it’s alright, but all that shit in between, you know?”

Voxtrot was formed by Srivastava in his hometown of Austin, Texas upon his return home to the U.S. after spending four years at university in Glasgow, Scotland. The band, which has a much more European sound than most bands located in the Lone Star State, plays melodic, bright indie pop that has been compared in the press to bands such as the Smiths and Belle & Sebastian.

When asked what he saw as being the differences between the music scenes in Austin and Glasgow, Srivastava notes the openmindedness of the Scots to be the main factor.

“In Glasgow, people go to techno clubs and stay out all night as well as going to see live music. Here, if you are into indie rock then that’s what you are into, that’s it.

“During my time in Glasgow, I didn’t go see as much live music as I went to go see DJs. I think I actually like to go see DJs more than I like to go see live bands, unless the band is really awesome and then it’s better than going to see a DJ.”

One of the biggest supporters of the band initially was the American tastemaker site Pitchforkmedia.com. Their rave reviews of the band’s first two EPs, along with a strong connection with the blogosphere, helped establish a solid foundation for the band for touring North America. It also attracted the interest of a number of international labels, culminating in the band signing to Playlouder and releasing their self–titled debut earlier this year.

Pitchfork wasn’t as positive about their full–length album as they were about the EPs, but as Srivasta admits, whether or not they like your record isn’t something any professional band should be worried about.

“The Internet liked the album and Pitchfork is definitely part of the Internet. They are still supportive of us. I think they are usually pretty intelligent but they are kind of a crazy sort of power right now. It’s still to be determined how lasting it is going to be. It really has nothing to do with them and more to do with their readership.

“If Pitchfork gives an album a great review it definitely does help and if the band has longevity it itself will help perpetuate that eventual career. But simply getting a great review on Pitchfork does not guarantee a perpetuated career in music; it guarantees some kind of instant American notoriety. Outside of that I don’t think you could make or break your whole career on a Pitchfork review.”

VOXTROT
w/ Uncut
Monday, October 8,
ABSINTHE
233 King St. E.
905.529.0349
www.voxtrot.net