Interview
Interview - Nico Vega
- Author:
- Review Date:
- 10/24/2007
Nico Vega rocked and caught our eye when we saw them at LA Weekly's Detour Festival this year and we caught up with the band for an interview. The band are now on tour with the Shout Out Louds and Johnossi, who we featured earlier on the site, and we'll be seeing them again live in Los Angeles on November 5th - don't forget to come back and check out our review. OK, back to Nico Vega
Hi there, Can you introduce yourself our readers and what you play in the band?
Hi, I'm Dan, I Play the Drums
I'm Aja, I sing
I'm Rich, I play the guitar.
What were your reactions when Myspace wanted to sign the band on the Myspace record label?
We couldn't be more excited. We had a number of label opportunities, but with Myspace, we have the privilege of working with a super intelligent, forward thinking team of people, who share a similar vision for what this band is, and what we represent. Also, the access to Myspace the web site is a gift. It's where the people are. We get immediate reaction from the fans on anything we do; a show, a new song, videos. It's so cool to be on tour and meet people who are there only because they discovered us on Myspace.
You are on the TankFarm Future Sounds tour, how is that going so far?
This is our first major, extended tour. We are on the road doing what we love to do for a living. As a band we're learning more about each other as both artists and people every day and this growth is evident in each performance. Every night we dig even deeper and bring more depth and personality to our shows than we thought we were capable of.
What should people expect from your live shows when they come to see you?
Art and music have the potential to generate an alternate reality. Our goal as a band is to form this kind of emotional bubble when we play. A place where people can experience the same cathartic release and break from reality we feel when we play. We try to tear down the wall between performer and audience and create an atmosphere of energy and camaraderie. We thrive off of the audience and if everyone can loose themselves, even for a second, then the show was a success.
The Detour Festival in downtown Los Angeles just happened recently, and you guys played it, how was that?
For us, it was the first festival of its kind. To suddenly be surrounded by a number of your favorite artists is a total trip. We made some great friends, and are still in awe of these kinds of opportunities.
You will be recoding as soon as the tour with the Shout out Louds is over, what do you expect? What are you plans for the album?
We want to make an album we would want to listen to. This tour has given us a chance to road test the material, and the songs have taken on new life as a result. We chose an excellent producer in Dave Cobb and we all feel like what we're doing is authentic and has purpose.
What makes your music different from other artists out there in the music industry?
We are who we are. We all have strong personalities as individuals and that seems to come across in our music. There's nothing timid about us, or the way we play as a group. There seems to be a wounded, suffering tendency in a lot of both modern music and culture. In Nico Vega, we hope to restore the kind of angst and purpose that inspires action… not apathy. We have little sympathy for the 'victim' mentality. In our world, love, power, and righteousness, reign supreme.
What is your favorite song to play live?
Our favorite songs to play change night to night. If we're not having fun playing it, we don't!
Who were your influences growing up?
Dan - I Discovered music through the Beatles, and the drums through Led Zeppelin and drummer John Bonham. Music was my first love and the only thing I ever wanted to do. I listened to a lot of jazz growing up and think I bring a lot of that kind of subtlety and texture to my playing.
Rich - I was first introduced to music via my father’s record collection… Hendrix, Sabbath, old Detroit Rock, were my first impressions. They all play part in the our music.
Aja - I was into musical theatre at a young age, but as I got older, I discovered Tina Turner, and found inspiration in her strength and ability. I have also been inspired by various old blues artists like Robert Johnson, or Muddy Watters, and singers such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Jack White. I like people that bleed when they sing, and tell stories with the emotions in their voice.
Aja, when did you first start to sing? Did you receive voice lessons from anyone?
Aja - I started singing when I was real young. I took one lesson… that was about a month ago.
How did you all meet each other?
match.com
The band has been rated one of the top buzz bands in the country by both Daily Variety and Hits Magazine. How does that feel?
It feels appropriate. No doubt it's an honor and there are a number of new bands who inspire us. But if we didn't believe in what we are doing we would do something else. We're not bound together out of obligation. We're here because of the unique connection we have and the music that comes out of that.
What musical artist or performer would you love to share the stage with in the future?
Jack White, Thom Yorke, Outkast, Bjork, Rage Against the Machine. Anyone who has brought anything authentic and powerful to the world.
What is your favorite thing about touring?
It's been a great opportunity for as to grow both musically and as friends. Also, we're on the road with Johnossi and the Shout Out Louds, two bands who inspire us enormously. We've all become real close and it's so fun to check out their set night after night.
You all look like you had a blast doing the music for "cocaine cooked the brain remix". How was it shooting that video? How long did it take?
One day in a 90-degree warehouse, making total jackasses of ourselves.
Any message to your fans?
If it doesn't make it happy… don't do it.
Hi there, Can you introduce yourself our readers and what you play in the band?
Hi, I'm Dan, I Play the Drums
I'm Aja, I sing
I'm Rich, I play the guitar.
What were your reactions when Myspace wanted to sign the band on the Myspace record label?
We couldn't be more excited. We had a number of label opportunities, but with Myspace, we have the privilege of working with a super intelligent, forward thinking team of people, who share a similar vision for what this band is, and what we represent. Also, the access to Myspace the web site is a gift. It's where the people are. We get immediate reaction from the fans on anything we do; a show, a new song, videos. It's so cool to be on tour and meet people who are there only because they discovered us on Myspace.
You are on the TankFarm Future Sounds tour, how is that going so far?
This is our first major, extended tour. We are on the road doing what we love to do for a living. As a band we're learning more about each other as both artists and people every day and this growth is evident in each performance. Every night we dig even deeper and bring more depth and personality to our shows than we thought we were capable of.
What should people expect from your live shows when they come to see you?
Art and music have the potential to generate an alternate reality. Our goal as a band is to form this kind of emotional bubble when we play. A place where people can experience the same cathartic release and break from reality we feel when we play. We try to tear down the wall between performer and audience and create an atmosphere of energy and camaraderie. We thrive off of the audience and if everyone can loose themselves, even for a second, then the show was a success.
The Detour Festival in downtown Los Angeles just happened recently, and you guys played it, how was that?
For us, it was the first festival of its kind. To suddenly be surrounded by a number of your favorite artists is a total trip. We made some great friends, and are still in awe of these kinds of opportunities.
You will be recoding as soon as the tour with the Shout out Louds is over, what do you expect? What are you plans for the album?
We want to make an album we would want to listen to. This tour has given us a chance to road test the material, and the songs have taken on new life as a result. We chose an excellent producer in Dave Cobb and we all feel like what we're doing is authentic and has purpose.
What makes your music different from other artists out there in the music industry?
We are who we are. We all have strong personalities as individuals and that seems to come across in our music. There's nothing timid about us, or the way we play as a group. There seems to be a wounded, suffering tendency in a lot of both modern music and culture. In Nico Vega, we hope to restore the kind of angst and purpose that inspires action… not apathy. We have little sympathy for the 'victim' mentality. In our world, love, power, and righteousness, reign supreme.
What is your favorite song to play live?
Our favorite songs to play change night to night. If we're not having fun playing it, we don't!
Who were your influences growing up?
Dan - I Discovered music through the Beatles, and the drums through Led Zeppelin and drummer John Bonham. Music was my first love and the only thing I ever wanted to do. I listened to a lot of jazz growing up and think I bring a lot of that kind of subtlety and texture to my playing.
Rich - I was first introduced to music via my father’s record collection… Hendrix, Sabbath, old Detroit Rock, were my first impressions. They all play part in the our music.
Aja - I was into musical theatre at a young age, but as I got older, I discovered Tina Turner, and found inspiration in her strength and ability. I have also been inspired by various old blues artists like Robert Johnson, or Muddy Watters, and singers such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Jack White. I like people that bleed when they sing, and tell stories with the emotions in their voice.
Aja, when did you first start to sing? Did you receive voice lessons from anyone?
Aja - I started singing when I was real young. I took one lesson… that was about a month ago.
How did you all meet each other?
match.com
The band has been rated one of the top buzz bands in the country by both Daily Variety and Hits Magazine. How does that feel?
It feels appropriate. No doubt it's an honor and there are a number of new bands who inspire us. But if we didn't believe in what we are doing we would do something else. We're not bound together out of obligation. We're here because of the unique connection we have and the music that comes out of that.
What musical artist or performer would you love to share the stage with in the future?
Jack White, Thom Yorke, Outkast, Bjork, Rage Against the Machine. Anyone who has brought anything authentic and powerful to the world.
What is your favorite thing about touring?
It's been a great opportunity for as to grow both musically and as friends. Also, we're on the road with Johnossi and the Shout Out Louds, two bands who inspire us enormously. We've all become real close and it's so fun to check out their set night after night.
You all look like you had a blast doing the music for "cocaine cooked the brain remix". How was it shooting that video? How long did it take?
One day in a 90-degree warehouse, making total jackasses of ourselves.
Any message to your fans?
If it doesn't make it happy… don't do it.