I chatted with Scott from Elektric Voodoo about their upcoming tour and which coast is better and why (ha!)
You’ve lived on both coasts. Which one is better and why?
::laughs:: Both have their pluses and minuses. There’s nothing like Southern California. The amount of blue sky and sunshine. There’s like..an easiness to life and much more laid back. On the east coast, we have these things called seasons to remind you that the year actually goes by.
When did you know you wanted to do this for the rest of your life?
I was coming home from a guitar lesson at about 18 or 19 and I had this weird, cool calm feeling. I just knew at that point. I had friends who were worrying about their path, but I knew my path was set. It was a pretty calming feeling.
“Togetherness is often lost in the technology to create music.” Explain that quote of yours.
When I was growing up playing in bands, we would go to the recording studio and play together. Now, the whole thing has shifted to sitting in your bedroom and singing and playing into a computer. The computer can perfect things. Producers like to record each part of the band separately and then take the best take. That being together part is lost and musicians can’t react to each other in that instance.
If you could listen to music on either: a CD, iPod, or vinyl for the rest of your life, which would you choose and why?
The music snob in me wants to say vinyl. I also loved CD’s, especially listening to them in the car. I don’t like listening to music on my phone or an iPod, but I would choose that, because I can travel everywhere with it easily.
I miss the days of going to the music store with my buddy. We each would have $30 and we would buy three CD’s. How fun that was!
We have an independent record store here in Fells Point called Sound Garden and I spend waayyy too much time and money there in person. I love physical media still so I guess going there is pacifying some weird Blockbuster fetish. Streaming is easy but there’s something going to Blockbuster or a store and seeking something out.
What is your songwriting process?
The rule is it has to start with rhythm. Every song has started with a drum beat or a percussion groove. From there, I start with a keyboard or guitar, and come up with lyrics and ideas. Sometimes I’ll sing gibberish over it. Eventually I’ll extract words. It’s like piecing together a puzzle.
Are you excited about your upcoming show in Annapolis?
I’m so excited. I have a lot of family and friends here that will come down and enjoy the show with us. I love the room because it’s a listening room. Folks come to listen to music and LOVE music. Those are the best audiences.
Elektric Voodoo headlines Rams Head Annapolis Sunday, August 29th!