Vox Rea | Thread

Vancouver-based band Vox Rea is kicking off 2021 with a feel good record titled “Reset”.

“Reset is a song about fresh starts and new love for the beginning of 2021. It has a simplistic optimism that contrasts the more heavy songs on our record. It’s a song that doesn’t take itself too seriously and we had a lot of fun making it. Though we wrote it pre-pandemic, “you’re the cure I’ve been searching for” has really taken on a whole new meaning this year,” says the band.

Comprised of Kate Kurdyak (lead vocals/piano/guitar/bass), her sister Lauren Kurdyak (vocals/piano), childhood best friend Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher (vocals/percussion) and Berklee-alum Mitchell Schaumberg (vocals/piano/guitar/bass), the band will be dropping their new record later this year.

“Reset” is available now 🙂

Introduce the band – what’s your story?

We’re just four goons who like to gather in strange apartments, get a little wavy and make music together.

“Reset” is your first single of the year. What’s the story/inspiration behind this song?

It’s a simple song about new beginnings and it felt right for the start of 2021.

Could you describe the songwriting/production process? Who helped you create it?

Lauren and I actually wrote it together the same night we wrote Dose Me Up. It could not be more different than Dose Me Up so it felt like a palette cleanser and a nice reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. We recorded it with Connor Seidel and Tim Buron at Cult Nation in Montreal.

What did you feel when writing this song?

An ease and unbridled joy that was very different from the rest of the songs on the record.

What do you like the most about this song?

That it’s not trying to be anything that it’s not.

What made you want to release “Reset” as the first single of the year?

Somehow even though it was written before the pandemic the lyrics have a strange synchronicity. “You’re the cure I’ve been searching for” seems to be a real theme of this year and with the vaccine and new presidency it felt like the right moment for this track.

What can you tell us about the artwork?

The cover is an old photo of our uncle from the 80s. He passed away while we were making this album and that loss permeated throughout the record. We were drawn to this photo because it so comically captures the ironic nature of putting out a summery song in the middle of winter. He was our biggest fan and was such a playful guy so I think this would have been one of his favourite tracks.

What are your thoughts on today’s music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?

The relationship between artist and industry is a complicated one. We’re never thinking about selling or buying anything when we make music so it’s always hard to turn around and have to make a product out of it. If I could change one thing I would want to see artists make a living wage from the music itself. That would save having to peddle products and find other corporate means of income. It would be nice to just focus on the art and have that be enough.

As artists, what are the biggest struggles? And what are the best parts?

The biggest struggles are definitely related to what we were talking about before. To be “successful” you have to see yourself as a business person rather than an artist and we’ve always found cognitive dissonance with that. The best parts are the connections that happen through music — with fellow artists, with fellow music lovers and with your band mates. Music has facilitated some of the most meaningful experiences in my life.

What lessons did you learn since the beginning of your career?

We used to see everything besides making music and performing as beyond our scope but over time we’ve learned to see the visuals and online presence as an extension of our art.  In the beginning of our career we relied on other people for creative direction but now everything you see from our website to our graphics to our bio was created by us and we like it that way.

What advice would you give to young musicians?

Trust your gut, focus on your craft, and seek out good collaborators. Team work really does make the dream work. Authenticity also goes a hell of a long way. People can tell whether a song feels honest way easier than they can tell how much the mic you recorded it on cost.

What do you want to accomplish personally and professionally?

Honestly, just to get to wake up every day and create and to have that be enough.

What major life lessons have you learned in 2020?

Never doubt the adventures you can have in your own head.

What are your goals for 2021?

Release as much music as possible and play some damn shows (fingers crossed!!)

What message do you want to deliver to the world?

Everyone is an artist and their life is a work of art.