Voxtrot
Interview with Ramesh Srivastava
Words: Michael Spadoni

Appearing:
June 21, 2007
Common Grounds, Gainesville

June 22, 2007
Studio A, Miami

June 23, 2007
Crowbar, Ybor City

June 24, 2007
Backbooth, Orlando

June 26, 2007
Beta Bar, Tallahassee

There is a misconception that once a band gets signed to a major label that the grass will be greener on the other side.  International stardom can be difficult on a young band.  Austin, Texas’ Voxtrot enjoyed a rather quick rise to fame thanks to the music blogs and various file-sharing programs.  The music they created soon changed its tone from naive “twee-pop” to a band that sounds like it has been through hell and back, but still with an optimistic view on life.  Ramesh Srivastava (vocals, guitar) appreciates the attention that the band is getting, but just like anyone else, one can only take so much before they start to crack.  His distaste for the negative attention has been broadcast on his own personal blog, which tracks the development and story of Voxtrot.  The topics range from their signing, the new direction in their sound, and dealing with pretentious bloggers doing what they do best.  When asked about this, Ramesh was more than willing to share his thoughts with REAX.

REAX:  Did signing to a larger label influence your sound or the band’s dynamic in any way?  I noticed that your music developed into something with a more serious sound than what it was on the EPs.
Ramesh Srivastava:  The recording process wasn’t all together the greatest experience.  I guess making a first record is hard, but this one felt like we were making our second record… that kind of pressure.  I think that the darker aspects of the album were a result of the stress.  It’s a completely different animal once you have people who are backing you.  Everybody thinks they know what’s best and they will try to push you to believe that their direction is the right direction.  Eventually, you just have to follow exactly what it is that you are feeling, which for me at that time was not the most pleasant set of emotions.

REAX:  With the feverish posting of the music bloggers on your band, I see that you have an intimate relationship with the Internet and all the good and bad things it can bring.  Ultimately, is all publicity good publicity? And, how do you think the kind and not so kind words have affected Voxtrot’s seemingly quick rise in popularity?
RS:  I’m sure short term… if it’s good, then it’s good.  If it’s bad then it might detract some potential listeners.  But in the long term it doesn’t matter because all of that publicity is so fleeting.

REAX:  I read one of your blog posts titled, “Get off the Internet (I'll Meet You in the Street)”… is it disheartening to you that not everyone is actually concerned about the art you are creating and tend to use a new band to promote whatever agenda they seem to have instead?
RS:  I think I’ve just given up on that, I’ve really stopped caring.  People are going to do what they want.  Even if they notice a problem with what they’re doing, they’re not going to stop.

REAX:  Your new album leaked on the Internet a whole two months before the scheduled release date.  Do you appreciate the hype and free promotion that comes with these leaks or does that truly hurt a band in your situation?
RS:  I guess I knew it was going to happen no matter what so I just expected it.  It was a really big download, so at least it lets me know that people care.

REAX:  When is the video for “Firecracker” coming out?  Is this your first video and what was it like to create something in a different medium?
RS:  We had a director for the video, so we really didn’t have much involvement in the creative process.  I kind of just blindly trusted him.  I haven’t seen it yet, but I think it will be done at the end of June.  If everything goes according to plan it should be on MTV by August.  It takes a while to get all the gears in motion, but I don’t have much to do with that.  The label handles all of that; it’s one of the benefits of being on a larger label.  They take care of that so we can concentrate on the music.

REAX:  Coming from Austin, with a strong community supported local music scene, does that give you an advantage or do you think it’s harder to get noticed when your local scene is blossoming?
RS:  It helps in some aspects, but I think the less competition … the better.  It’s really a mixed bag.   In one way it’s nice to be the big fish in a small pond, but then there are other instances where it’s better being a small fish in a big pond.

REAX:  Being that you made the leap from local to internationally known band, is there anything profound that you could pass along to someone in their early twenties really trying to get their music recognized?
RS:  Really, you just have to get things going yourself and not worry about anyone else trying to help in the beginning.  Someone will eventually pick up on what you’re doing.  These days it’s rarely the other way around.