28
Jul
I’m always on the hunt for new music; I guess you could say I have an addiction. Living in Los Angeles there’s many ways to get my fix. On any given night, anywhere in Los Angeles, you can catch a show at your venue of choice. (Where everybody knows your name) My local haunts include Mr.T’s bowl in Highland Park. With local legend Arlo operating the sound board, you’re guaranteed groovy tunes and good times. On the other side of Highland Park you’ll find La Casa Blue, where on Friday nights one can enjoy live music and a wide range of drinks and pastries. Any time I go to either of these places I get the chance to catch different bands and open my ears to new styles of music.
One fateful night about a month ago, while at a show at Mr.T’s. I was near the door so naturally I had the perfect view of all the bands playing that night. The Hectors, Seasons, boxViolet, I Make This Sound, and Kind Hearts and Coronets all put on a great show. The night was filled with covers of some of my personal favorite Beatles songs. Right off the bat you have to appreciate any band that can put their own flair on any of The Beatles songs and pull it off. Kudos goes out to boxViolet and Kind Hearts and Coronets for doing just that. Of all these bands one in particular caught my eye (and my ear) that night, that band was boxViolet.
First I caught up with the duo at Jax Vegan Cafe for what turned out to be an intimate boxViolet experience. The band consists of guitarist/drummer Luke Ehret, 29, and singer/guitarist Margot Paige, 28, who hail from west Los Angeles and the Valley. Even from the first time I saw them their sound surprised me. Though they alternate their line up having Margot play Guitar and Luke on drums, when I saw them at Jax I got to see something different than that at Mr.T’s. This time around Luke played guitar and Margot lead solely as the vocalist. It was the perfect balance of Margot’s vocal range and Luke’s guitar riffs that quickly made me forget they didn’t have a bassist or drummer present.
How did you meet?
Luke: The first time I met Margot, it was through a friend. He wanted to pick her sister up and take her to the mall. Since I was the only one between the two of us with a car I drove.
Margot: My mom made me go with them to supervise. Other than that we also went to sister schools. I went to an all girl school and Luke went to an all boy school.
When did the band start?
Luke: I was in another band and Margot would come to the rehearsals wanting to sing.
Margot: We entered a contest that Levis was sponsoring. You had to write a song with female vocals and winner could open at Lilith Fair.
Luke: I went to her dorm room and we recorded a folk song to enter the contest. Unfortunately we didn’t win but that was the beginning of boxViolet
And where did you get the name boxViolet from?
Luke: it took us a long time get to that name. We had a long creative process.
Margot: At one time we were even called Loess (pronounced Lust) but it didn’t stick. Violet is a shade a purple and purple is associated with Divinity, royalty, and wealth. So we try to box divinity with our music. It’s a boxViolet!
Speaking of boxing divinity, your EPs are very special.
Margot: They will be on recycled cardboard. I’m hand drawing and stamping each copy.
Luke: Everything from the track listing to the numbers next to them will be unique.
What are your hopes for boxViolet’s future?
Margot: I hope to always be connected to my stream of inspiration which comes to me in my dreams.
Luke: I hope we can tour throughout Europe soon, preferably with another band.
So who would you say your musical influences are?
Luke: As a guitarist I’m definitely inspired by Jimi Hendrix. As a drummer I’m inspired by Jimmy Chamberlin.
Margot: There are so many, Portishead, New Order, and Radiohead to name a few.
I have to ask where you derive your lyrics from.
Margot: Bad relationships. “Swallow” was inspired by a friend who had just broken up with her boyfriend and was pleading with her ex to “take it back just take it back “, which later became “take it back could you take it back maybe” .
Are you trained or self taught?
Luke: I taught myself how to play drums, but I had lessons with guitar. My first lesson ever, I learned how to play yellow submarine.
Margot: I’m self taught.
I know you both must love The Beatles, what would you say your favorite Beatles song is?
Margot: That’s tough, but if I had to pick one it would be…
Luke: Tomorrow never knows.
Margot: Happiness is a warm gun. That’s my final answer.
What are your hopes for boxViolet’s future?
Margot: I hope to always be connected to my stream of inspiration which comes to me in my dreams.
Luke: I hope we can tour through out Europe soon, preferably with another band.
It really grinds my gears when a band with so much musical talent, has terrible stage presence. Now you can’t judge a band on their stage presence until you’ve seen them at least three times. Obviously the first time you see a band you’re going to think they’re great because you’ve never seen them before. You’ll have a totally unbiased opinion formed. The second time around, you’ll start to pick things out. You notice when the one with the shades dances wildly on top of an amp with a tambourine in one hand. The third time is the true acid test. Can they keep your attention? I was not surprised that boxViolet passed with flashing colors and lights. Each show is a whole different experience. Their unique flair and overall stage presence kept me interested and definitely wanting more each and every time. I can hardly wait for the “Sad Sad Girl” EP Release party at The Scene in Glendale April 8th.along with music they will also have live painting by Max Neutra. Not only will you be musically entertained but visually as well. They are a must see! I know that I will surely be keeping an eye (and ear) out for all of Box Violets future endeavors. Even now I’m dancing in my seat along to their MySpace page.
Ludwig van Beethoven once said “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.” I highly agree. Until next month here are some other hot bands to look out for: Seasons, Artichoke, Teddys Cheer Club, and The Beeters. I strongly recommend that you go and check them out. As usual, I will wander on continuing the endless search for my next fix of sound. Like a nomad I will sift through the vast varieties of Cafe’s, bars, and venues in search of new styles of music. From Spaceland to the Echo to the House of Blues. See you out there Los Angeles.
