inside LG15

Music by: Voxtrot
Recommended Listen: Voxtrot (LP)
Suggested Tracks: Kid Gloves, Easy, Blood Red Blood

“Empty streets under my feet,
How did we get so far?”-“Blood Red Blood”/Voxtrot

THIS WEEK, our story is told to the sounds of Austin, Texas’ Voxtrot.  Voxtrot is not just another indie rock band trying to get lucky.  They write relentlessly, they tour, they connect with their fans through YouTube feeling contrived or over produced.  Sound familiar?   They are a single away from breaking out of the pack and becoming a household name.  Why wait to get on board?

I first heard Voxtrot driving in the patchy rain from Colorado to the East Coast a few years ago somewhere on I-70.  I was by myself-the sun was just coming out.  I couldn’t believe then how soulful pop melodies could sound so sincere and manage to feel that way a thousand miles later. These melodies were so inviting, but at the same time, not forced.  I get the feeling Voxtrot isn’t a “self-conscious” band that does whatever it can to bring in more fans or appease some skeptical label exec. I get the feeling Voxtrot makes music for Voxtrot, and the point is to always be getting better rather than reach a specific milestone or destination.  And I remember thinking it was so cool that a band found a following by releasing their music in short bursts in the form of three EP’s.  Smart music, smart business-don’t let people get too much at one time, don’t ever settle into ‘the same’.  Fast forward a year or so to their online documentary “Reaching for the Lasers” about the recording of their first full-length LP “Voxtrot” and you can’t help but be inspired (and entertained).

The distinctive Voxtrot feel is eagerness and melody over instrumental layering.  Songs get louder as they build, sections that could go for emotional broke are tempered and delicately executed.  These guys strike a delicate nerve and because of it Voxtrot manages to separate themselves from the majority of acts in their way both on disc and in concert.

On the Fly.  Off the cuff.
“Kid Gloves” – Quirky sound and feel gives way to cinematic chorus that stays with you.  “You have to touch me with Kid Gloves”-sarcasm and sensitivity.  These themes are part of our story, it’s nice to have music that reflects where we’re going.

“Easy” – A song for Jonas, a song for anyone trying to work out the doubt in their mind.  And it’s not easy with “all the hours past, the body pressed to the wall.  “Easy” is why Voxtrot is our band for Chapter 2.

“Blood Red Blood” – Ramesh’s vocal seems to work with and against the music.  No fluff.  Cinematic chorus.  Horns are a nice touch.  This one is a gem.

Check out LG15: The Resistance playlist on imeem.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 22nd, 2008 at 5:49 pm and is filed under LG15: The Resistance, Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.