With a sound that many have compared to the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters and The Black Keys, Brooklyn's alt-rockers The Velvicks now returned with their latest slice of killer riffs with 'Run'.
Lifted from their new EP of the same name, 'Run' makes for an incredibly bold and energetic introduction to their sound. With its ferocious rhythm, excitable hooks, and catchy vocals, this new belter is the latest in a string of thunderous offerings that are seeing many turn to take note of their style.
So with the new single rocking us to our very core, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them over the years.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
My first passion for an instrument was the drums back in early 90’s I had a nirvana cover band in middle school in Miami. It was more about being rebel than about the music. We sucked (haha).
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Relationships, self-awareness, the journey of getting old, habits and behavioral patterns, life lessons, and all of the deep existential hullabaloo that makes up humanity, are endless sources of inspiration. I am attracted to blissful and simple states of unawareness. In today’s world where we are a click away from everybody’s world view, I consciously choose to stay away. I am not interested in it. I am interested in the mundane and ordinary experiences of life. Those are, in my opinion, the building blocks of a healthy(ish)mind.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
Grunge was my jam. It was my window to rock music and all it represents.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Yes, Me Olvide de Vivir by the sexiest human alive Julio Iglesias haha. My dad was obsessed with him so I ended up learning all his discography by the age of 15.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m revisiting The Pixies of late and “Can’t Stop The Feeling” is on repeat cause that’s all my 2 year old requests after watching Trolls during the pandemic.
How many of your songs have you written about people you’d rather forget?
As time goes by you end up with hundreds of songs/ seeds and you sort of lose track of the exact number, but once you write about someone, you’re immortalizing that person. When I write songs, it’s the first step to digesting whatever I am feeling. It’s cheaper than therapy.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
Oh man there’s been so many from beautiful to embarrassing. There are silly anecdotes, not sure if they are the most unusual moments. For instance, I remember playing at Hard Rock Cafe in Memphis and being invited to sign the wall backstage next to all the heavyweight legends. It felt weird and it still does. On the other hand, we were opening to White Denim a few summers ago and I complained about them to James Perralli himself over some shared gear issues. I didn’t recognize him nor knew what was going on at the time. I was just a complete dumbass. I had one too many drinks to be fair. I can be such a dumbass sometimes, hahah.
Another funny memory comes to mind. About a year ago (on Gorillaz last US tour) my manager at the time took me to the green room to meet the crew. I wandered off to grab a drink and somehow got lost, the place was like a huge maze. Long story short, I ended up walking into Damon Albarn’s pre stage yoga/meditation session that he does before performing. He was in his underwear basically half asleep. I felt like shit. He was a total gentleman and cool about it. He even joked saying he prefers to introduce himself to people half naked haha…what a genius.
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
Outside music I’m a little bit of a nerd. I dig tech and futuristic shit. I’m a member of singularity university and I’m a big fan of discussing problems and finding solutions for issues involving mankind. It sounds more nerdy when you say it out loud. Soccer was a big thing for me too but being away from Brazil for so long freed me from that madness a little.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I did graduate from advertising school. There is a chance I could’ve end up being a creative director or the coffee guy in some agency in São Paulo.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
Choosing to be a performing artist is a path of faith that I like to make an analogy to monks or priesthood. You will have to give up on many of the ordinary experiences your friends will be going through. There is no financial certainty ahead of you, Your core drive will be based in blind belief that will dictate your social/personal life and influence most of your future decisions. Sounds trippy but hey, you’re hearing this from a “Music Monk” himself haha.
You should develop the craft, push yourself to the border of your artistic safety zone, and understand the business. Aesthetics play a huge role (if you’re not cute, be weird) and secure funds to be independent as long as you can, to develop your brand and to have leverage when/if you are approached by a music executive. Other than that, just enjoy the ride. One last piece of advice, we artists tend to be insecure by nature. Be aware of it, work that out slowly and be kind to yourself. Music is a powerful thing.
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The Velvicks' new single 'Run' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.