Yes, I Relate To You: The Voyces Fansite

The Voyces To Be Featured on "Coast To Coast AM"

2009-11-24T10:34:00.000-08:00

Just got word that The Voyces will be featured on Coast To Coast AM with George Noory, on December 6th, 2009. This is a nationwide program, so everyone can listen. :)

On The Air

2009-11-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

During Voyces' front-man Brian Wurschum's recent stint as a guest disc-jockey on Southern California's KRLY 991.FM, it was announced that the station will have the singer/songwriter back on 11/19/09 to do an hour-long feature on the band's latest CD, Let Me Die In Southern California.

On 10/29 and 11/12, Wurschum spun, and sometimes discussed, some of his favorite songs by other artists. Below are the track lists from these broadcasts, along with links for you to listen to the shows.

10/29/09 KRLY Broadcast (click here to listen)

1) The Swimming Song - Loudon Wainwright III

2) Love Runs Deeper - Lindsey Buckingham

3) Good Timin' - Jimmy Jones

4) The Underdog - Spoon

5) Inject The Venom - AC/DC

6) Catch The Rainbow - Rainbow

7) Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind? = The Lovin' Spoonful

8) Wall Of Death - Richard & Linda Thompson

9) The Happy Organ - David "Baby" Cortez

10) Arizona - The Scorpions

11) Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer

12) Bron-Yr-Aur - Led Zeppelin

13) I'll Wait - Van Halen

14) Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time - The Darkness

15) Stumblin' In - Suzi Quatro

16) A Matter Of Time - Los Lobos

17) Percy's Song - Fairport Convention

18) Happy For The Rest Of Your Life - Johnny Rivers

19) Ol' 55 - The Eagles

20) Crackpot - Ric Ocasek

11/12/09 KRLY Broadcast (click here to listen)

1) Don't You Wish It Were True - John Fogerty

2) If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out - Cat Stevens

3) Home At Last - Steely Dan

4) Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun - The Beastie Boys

5) Cavier And Meths - Judas Priest

6) Sure Know Something - Kiss

7) Fearless - Pink Floyd

8) Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd

9) Minstrel Gigolo - Christopher Cross

10) Move On - Abba

11) Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) - Bob Dylan

12) Cirkus - King Crimson

13) I'm Different - Randy Newman

14) Take It To The Limit - The Eagles

15) Count On Me - Jefferson Starship

16) Darling Pretty - Mark Knopfler

The Voyces' New CD: The Hyperbolium Review

2009-09-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Vote for it, Share it, Twitter it

Read The Review in Hyperbolium

My Current Favorite Voyces Song: "It Never Just Goes"

2009-09-22T02:33:00.000-07:00

"It Never Just Goes" is one of the incredible new songs on the incredible new CD from The Voyces, "Let Me Die In Southern California."

Majestic. The tune distracted my brain for many listens and it was not for a long time that I paid much attention to the lyrics, which I think are the album's most poetic and gripping.

On a CD awash with alliteration, far more than any previous Voyces effort, "It Never Just Goes" melts the ears like a resplendent aural painting.

The only thing prettier than its melody are its words used, and the only thing prettier than the words used is its actual underlying message.
_____________________________________

LISTEN: The Voyces - "It Never Just Goes"

IT NEVER JUST GOES (B. Wurschum)

I know that you’ve been good to me
Let’s get back to where we want to be
The unknown can shine enchantingly
A lover can be a mystery

Hold on, all I am trying to say
Is I know what spun us out that day
It’s alright, oh God, I hope you’ll stay
It’s alright, oh please, oh please, don’t slip away

Love, it never just goes
Like leaves that land and get blown
Down streets
And never are shown
And wash away all alone
No, love, it never just goes
Love, it never just goes
Can’t hide or fight it, it flows
Real love, it never just goes
No, love, it never just goes

Distance – the kind of distance that stings
Missing – the kind of missing kissing brings
Madness – the kind that clips beautiful wings
Madness – the kind that breaks the prettiest things

But love, it never just goes
Like leaves that land and get blown
Down streets
And never are shown
And wash away all alone
No, love, it never just goes
Love, it never just goes
Can’t hide or fight it, it flows
Real love, it never just goes
No, love, it never just goes

(Copyright 2009, B.W.W. Music)

A Beautiful New Song From The Voyces

2009-09-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

Jude Kastle sings lead. Enjoy...
http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/01_Bye_Bye_hifi.mp3

"Let Me Die In Southern California" Lyrics

2009-08-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Let Me Die in Southern California (B. Wurschum)

I’ve packed my bags, I’m gonna leave the city

The story leading up to this is long

But those big bright lights that sometimes seem so pretty

Lose every bit of allure when you,

You feel the weight of the world

Desert winds, please blow all that behind me

We know it in our hearts when we are home

Jasmine, take me to a place I’ll find me

Where the ocean catches the sun sinking

And taking all the undone

Ending where it begun

Let me die in Southern California

Big blue sky, you’re golden in the sun

As we fly through Southern California

Down the 101

A winding highway spilling through the canyon

A mission-style tavern packed with fools

Who laugh and raise their glasses up to heaven

As sunlight flickers off the tops of pools

It’s kind of like the sound of spirits thrashing

These waves that kiss this highway up and down

And calming is the calling of their crashing

And all you’ve loved, it just swirls in you

Yes, everything that you’ve loved

Yes, everyone that you’ve loved

Let me die in Southern California

Big blue sky, you’re golden in the sun

As we fly through Southern California

Down the 101

"Let Me Die In Southern California" #5 on Hype Machine

2009-08-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

http://hypem.com/track/891736/The+Voyces+-+Let+Me+Die+In+Southern+California

The Voyces - "Let Me Die In Southern California" Review

2009-08-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Voyces’ second album released by Planting Seeds Records, “Let Me Die In Southern California”, is a magnificently crafted concept album filled with radio-ready singles, and serves as a tasty, riff-heavy ode to Southern California. Songwriter Brian Wurschum creates the group’s most memorable collection of songs, many of which could be compared to dreamy reflections by the likes of both The Eagles and Pink Floyd. Here, they have elegantly shaken their folk roots, sprinkling them into what can only be described as a classic rock and roll album, complete with searing and bombastic harmonies.

The brief intro “Gold Wine” sets the stage with its whimsy, dream-like, hum-along melody, only to be smashed to bits by the album’s instantly catchy and majestic title track. “King of Castle” follows, with Jude Kastle singing lead and bringing profound longing and yearning to an already captivating adventure. “If I Am Not Your Everything, Baby, I’m Not Anything” is, quite simply, one of the nicest love songs ever written, by The Voyces, or anyone else for that matter. “Finest Hour” barrels along next, a satanic-funk groove instantly embraced by the body of the listener. It is, remember, a concept album, and the next song, “La Lomita”, a quiet little instrumental, pastes the songs together effortlessly.

Then comes “You Can Never Know”, a chorus-heavy heartbreaker very much in the in the vein of Fleetwood Mac. “The Speed of Fear” is flat out heavy metal if it is not for the lush, Steve Miller-style vocal onslaught resting on top. The instantly classic and timeless, “It Never Just Goes” comes next, with another unforgettable hook, a plush, rich sound, and military-style drumming. “And The Trickling Sun”, a one minute instrumental puts the listener in a trance so that “It Whispers”, the album’s final piece, arrives like a epic, Floydian dream, summarizing the record’s journey with poetic greatness, violins, and a guitar solo that will make you want to start the whole album over again.

http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/02_Let_Me_Die_In_Southern_California_hifi.m3u

http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/07_You_Can_Never_Know1_hifi.m3u

http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-KING_OF_CASTLE.m3u

http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-IT_NEVER_JUST.m3u

http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-IT_WHISPERS_hifi.m3u

Powerpopulist: Guided by The Voyces

2009-08-21T02:46:00.000-07:00

Powerpopulist: Guided by The Voyces

All Is Quiet On The Western Front

2009-07-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

With the release of the long awaited "Let Me Die In Southern California" from The Voyces just around the corner (September 28th, 2009), I asked singer/songwriter Brian Wurschum to talk about both the new album and what is going on with The Voyces.

DK: The Voyces have been silent! What's the scoop?

Brian Wurschum: A lot going on behind the scenes. Business. All business.

DK: Do you enjoy the business aspect of being a musician?

BW: I care deeply about what we present creatively. There is no way to avoid the business stuff. I would if I could. But it's my love for the creative aspect of it all that keeps me involved.

DK: Are you guys hitting the road anytime soon?

BW: No dates have been set, no.

DK: I love the new record more and more each time I hear it. I can't get the riff to "Let Me Die In Southern California" out of my brain. It drives me nuts.

BW: Thanks, and sorry.

DK: It's a good thing!

BW: We're really proud of that song.

DK: Tell me why.

BW: Well, it is very rare in that it came out just like I heard it in my head. That is rewarding to no end. It's honest. And I got a lot off my chest by writing those words. That stuff's been inside of me my whole life.

DK: The lyrics are very visual. ("A mission-style tavern packed with fools/ who laugh and raise their glasses up to heaven/ as sunlight flickers off the tops of pools") Are these words personal? Is there a story?

BW: The story leading up to that is long.

DK: Ha!! That's also in the song.

BW: Everything is in that song.

DK: When can people buy this cd?

BW: They can order it now! From our website. With or without a real fancy color photo.

DK: The photo is of The Voyces?

BW: Well, the photo is of Dabney Coleman. It's nice. It's from 9 to 5.

DK: Hahaha

BW: Everything we do is for the kids. We're listening.

DK: Anything else today?

BW: Hmmmmmm. I mean, I think people should just get a copy of the CD. When we were making it, we had people listening to it in mind. It's like, we've done our part of that.

DK: Right. It's up to us now.

BW: Yeah, it is. Do your part, Dan.

DK: Hahaha. I am. I will.

Interview: Voyces' Manager John Myers

2009-04-25T08:37:00.001-07:00

Recently, Voyces’ manager John Myers was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions I had for him.

1.) Tell me a little bit about how you became involved with The Voyces.

I met Brian in a class on religion at Fordham University about 4 years ago. We found out that we were both musicians and we hit it off instantly. A few weeks later he gave me a copy of "Angels of Fun" and I remember being blown away by the vocal quality of the record. It quickly became a record I listened to over and over on my iPod.

2.) Can you tell me about their upcoming album?

Their upcoming record is definitely more of a concept album than their past two efforts. I feel like it best represents who The Voyces truly are now. It has been very interesting to watch Brian grow as a musician/songwriter and not to take away from his past records, but this one shows a maturity that only time can bring. It sounds great from the beginning all the way to the end. I must say though, "It Whispers" is one of my all time favorite songs from The Voyces. It has so much emotion and power. It takes you for a wild ride. That solo has so much blues in it! I love it!

3.) What are the plans for the band?

Right now we are working on setting a release date for the record, booking some TV appearances and booking some future tour dates. So you keep your eyes peeled to the tube, your ears glued to the radio because we will soon be coming to a town near you.

4.) What is it like working with The Voyces?

Working with The Voyces is like going to my "happy place" all the time. It's like slowly nursing a nice scotch or taking a long bubble bath...

5.) What are some things about yourself that you would like to share?

I'm a Gemini. I like long walks by the beach, intimate conversation and a good back rub.

Interview: Wurschum On Upcoming Voyces Album, "Let Me Die In Southern California"

2009-03-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

Recently, Brian Wurschum let me grill him about the upcoming Voyces album, “Let Me Die In Southern California.”

1.) Okay, I‘ve heard the upcoming album in its entirety. I have a lot of questions.

Shoot.

2.) First of all, let me tell you that Let Me Die In Southern California blows me away from the first song until the last song. It plays like one body of work, far more than any of your other records. It is almost a concept album. Was that planned?

Thank you. Ultimately, it was planned. I mean, I knew all along that this album was going to be basically an ode to Southern California. A lot of the things which wound up making it all flow so well, however, came to be during the actual making of the record. For example, we recorded some songs that did not feel right thematically once we could hear them in context, so they were left off. The album’s voice became clear to Bruce (Driscoll, the co-producer and engineer), Jude, and me as we were mixing the songs and playing around with the track order.

3.) It feels perfect. I think I have listened to it from start to finish about thirty times!

Be fair. I wish you would give the record a chance.

4.) Ha! Ha! Okay, seriously now. Is it true that you played all of the instruments?

It is true, for the most part. Bruce Driscoll is a brilliant musician. Brilliant. He did some things on the keyboards here and there. He had great ideas all the time. I can’t say enough about him. And our drummer, Eric Puente, who is a way better drummer than I am, was incredibly kind about letting me play most of the drums.

5.) You played all of the bass?

Yeah.

6.) I had no idea that you were such a great bass player, and such a great drummer.

Thanks.

7.) The acoustic instrumental, La Lomita is genius. Totally unexpected. Did you always plan on having that on the album?

Yeah, I did. I wrote it when I was a kid. It is part of my habitus, so I knew it needed to be on there. Same with And The Trickling Sun. Wrote it many, many years ago.

8.) And The Trickling Sun really puts me a trance.

Me too.

9.) Let me ask you about King Of Castle. You told me a while back that it is your favorite track on the album.

It is, yeah.

10.) Jude Kastle singing lead! It is really gorgeous.

I think so. I wrote that song years and years ago, as well. One day during rehearsal, we began playing it with her singing and we had no doubts about recording it. Felt right away like it was hers.

11.) If I Am Not Your Everything, Baby I’m Not Anything is just an amazing love song. The words, the melody, the strings. Can you tell that I am a fan? Am I making you uncomfortable yet?

No, it makes me feel good that you like our music so much.

12.) Want to tell me about that song?

What is there to say? It is about HUGE love. You either relate, or you don’t.

13.) There is a lot of electric guitar on this album. A lot of riffs and a lot of solos. That is all you, too?

Well, growing up my favorite band was Judas Priest. I try to “defend the faith.” (If you are not a Priest fan, you don’t know what I’m talking about.) Anyway, I still love and feel a deep loyalty to heavy metal. Real metal, anyway. Don’t get me started. Point is, that kind of music flows through me all the time, so it was bound to show up on this record.

14.) Why this record?

Because this record is closer to my heart than anything I’ve done in my life. Straight from the heart, actually.

15.) Feel like elaborating about what you deem to be “real metal”?

If someone in the band had a perm while touring for the first album, it’s usually a bad sign.

16.) Finest Hour and The Speed Of Fear? Do you consider them to be heavy metal?

I don’t know. I’d rather you answer that question.

17.) They sound close to being heavy metal. Your voices are too pretty though.

I see.

18.) The record starts off with a thirty second song called, Gold Wine (Intro). It is an interesting piece of music. There is this white noise, broken up by this gorgeous melody sung by you and Jude, and then there is what sounds like an alarm clock going off. Then it goes right into that great SoCal riff. It lends to the overall concept album feel of the disc. Can you tell me a little bit about this track?

I think you just did.

19.) What is that white noise meant to be?

The din of the city.

20.) New York City?

For me, right now, today, yes. But it is not meant to be that specific.

21.) Do you really want to die in Southern California?

I would like to move back there and then never leave. I would have made that the lyric to the chorus, but the words don’t fit as nicely.

22.) Ha! Ha! So it is not meant to be morbid.

Oh no! It is a celebration.

23.) Let’s talk about It Never Just Goes. The words are incredibly profound. I know you don’t like to talk about lyrics, but I would love it very much if you would say a little bit about these ones.

Well, I am basically saying that love is the most powerful force in the universe.

24.) That’s it?

Basically, yeah.

25.) Do you believe that?

Yes.

26.) It Whispers, which closes the album, is my current favorite. I have written about it on this blog already. Can you tell me a bit about this song?

It summarizes the whole record.

27.) I can see that. And what a great guitar solo.

Thanks.

28.) When will the album be released? And will the band be playing live again anytime soon?

We don’t know when it will be released yet because we are not quite sure who is releasing it. We are however working closely with Planting Seeds Records to devise a plan. Hopefully, the next time we play live it will be on television. But I have no idea when we will perform next.

29.) Well, thank you Brian. The album is fantastic and I can’t wait to get an actual copy in my hands.

Thank you.

Songs From The Upcoming Masterpiece

2009-02-21T11:49:00.000-08:00

Last night, The Voyces threw a party to share their upcoming album with friends, fans, and business associates and I could not go because I had a freaking fever and was too sick to even go hang out with my favorite band. However, this morning I awoke to find gifts on their website.
Songs from "Let Me Die In Southern California."

Enjoy.

LET ME DIE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-Let_Me_Die_In.m3u

KING OF CASTLE:
http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-KING_OF_CASTLE.m3u

IT NEVER JUST GOES:
http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-IT_NEVER_JUST.m3u

IT WHISPERS:
http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-IT_WHISPERS.m3u

New Voyces Album: An Update

2009-02-06T08:38:00.000-08:00

I recently asked Brian Wurschum, Jude Kastle, and Co-Producer Bruce Driscoll to give me an update on The Voyces' upcoming album, "Let Me Die In Southern California."

1.) How is the new album coming along? Almost finished, I assume?

Driscoll: It's at that stage now where we're just making mix tweaks. Like, 'guitar in second verse up 1db' or 'vocal louder.' You know, little things. I've played it at least ten times in every boom box, iPod, speaker set that I own and it's passed the test. It'll be mastered very soon.

Wurschum: If it were a cake, it would be cooling on the stove top.

Kastle: Couldn't be better. Yes, it's almost done.

2.) What, if anything, can you tell us about it now that you could not before?

Driscoll: Probably that now, hearing the near-finished product I think we really achieved what we set out do - which was to make a classic sounding record. Talking to Brian and Jude I think we all couldn't be happier with it. I'm excited for more people to hear it. So far the feedback has been great.

Wurschum: There are eleven songs on it.

Kastle: I haven't had the opportunity to answer this question, and would love to gush on how this album was recorded. In this case, bragging is truly required. We started out on a Sunday to record the drums. Most people need a rough track of guitar and vocals to do this. Brian, on the other hand, lays down drums start to finish with just a click track in his head phones. He hears the whole song in his head: fills, crashes, and dynamics. This is Remarkable. This one take, start to finish, was the norm with almost every guitar part (acoustic and electric), and Bass line. Vocals, too. On this album Brian sang better than he ever has.
Now for Bruce: Half way through the recording, Brian and I were wondering where to find a Cape. Because of course, every super hero needs a cape, right? Bruce would hear frequencies in digits. Making adjustments in where a part sat in the mix or slightly changing the EQ of one hidden part that would make everything else fall into place, leaving Brian and I jumping up and down asking, “How did you do that?” He would also mix each song as he went along. It was mind bottling (see blades of glory) to watch. All in all, the process was amazing. It was a very special time.
In between all this was the gut-splitting laughter, a comedy show at all times.

3.) What are your favorite tracks, and why?

Wurschum: My favorite song on the album is King of Castle. Jude sings lead, and it is just beautiful. She does this twirly, "I am from the South" thing with her voice, which kills me.

Kastle: I guess my favorite tracks are Let Me Die In Southern California, It Whispers, and La Lomita.

New Songs from The Voyces "Whisper" and Scream

2009-01-27T06:22:00.000-08:00

After having listened to two of the songs from The Voyces' upcoming album, "Let Me Die In Southern California" I sat speechless. SPEECHLESS!!! Folks, I am reluctant to use the word 'masterpiece' to describe anything, but I just heard two of them. Masterpieces. Both. Not indie-rock masterpieces. Not as good as can be in modern day masterpieces. I am talking full blown ALL TIME masterpieces. Goodness!!! I am not sure what to say. One thing I know is, very soon, when this CD is unleashed to the public, others will be saying the same things and using the same words. These songs are undeniably superb works of art. If the rest of their new effort comes even close to the two I have heard, "Let Me Die In Southern California" and "It Whispers", this recording is going to blow people's minds. Goodness!!

"Let Me Die In Southern California" has the catchiest and heaviest guitar riff I have heard come out of a band in I don't even know how long. I listened to it (albeit five times) two hours ago and it is still running through my brain constantly. But folks? That's nothing compared to what follows. The verses are...let's just say...well...picture some of the most enticing, majestic, incredible lyrics (about the mysticism of California) floating over one of the most original, cool as hell rhythms ever. But folks? The Voyces are just getting us warmed up for the chorus. It is difficult to imagine this and this alone not sending my favorite indie band of all time into full flight publicly . It is astonishing. Brilliant. You read it here first. Oh yeah, there is a guitar solo like no one has ever heard on a Voyces CD. But folks? That's nothing compared to the guitar solo that cascades into one's psyche during the other song, "It Whispers." Folks, it is another masterpiece. This one starts off with lyrics (see above) that gave me chills. But folks? The Voyces are just getting started. Just when you think you could not be more engaged in the song, Wurschum does something that makes me wonder why they ever had anyone else in the band holding a guitar on stage. Brian & Jude keep saying "It Whispers" all right, but truly, it left me breathless.

Admittedly, I am a huge fan of this band. But I promise that you won't have to take my word for it. Something purely magical is "slipping through the trees."

Interview: Voyces' Producer Bruce Driscoll

2009-01-20T04:45:00.000-08:00

My interview with the talented producer behind The Voyces’ upcoming album, “Let Me Die In Southern California”

1.) How did your involvement with the new Voyces album come about?

Brian and I have known each other for a couple of years now. We met when we were both working out of a studio down on Canal Street. We'd always smoke cigarettes together in the break lounge and he'd crack me up with his ridiculously quick wit. At some point I think I played him something I was in the midst of producing and he got excited about the way it sounded and asked if I'd be into trying to record a song of his. That song was called Top of My Lungs and it was on their last album.

So then some time passed and we both stopped working at that studio and then a couple of months ago I got an e-mail from Brian asking if I'd be interested in recording a new record with them. I was.

2.) What can you tell me about this album?

Well, I think these are some of the most meaningful/best songs he's ever written. Honestly, it's a group of stellar, classic, beautiful, pop/rock songs. The kind that will never go out of style. We're pretty far into the process and I can safely say that I think we're all very excited about how it's turning out.

3.) Do you have any favorite songs from the record?

It's hard to pick, but the ones I find myself always wanting to listen to over and over again are If I Am Not Your Everything and You Can Never Know. There's an emotion in the two of those that I really connect with.

4.) Where is it being recorded?

We tracked drums at a studio in midtown with a very excellent engineer, Alex Nizich, who also worked on their prior album. The rest of the album is being done by Brian, Jude, and me, in my apartment. The energy is nice and relaxing here and feels conducive to creativity.

5.) You are a musician yourself. Tell me about your own music.

Yes, I play guitar, bass, drums, piano, and sing. It's stuff that's good to know when producing. Especially when relating to someone like Brian who can play everything as well.

I try to keep pretty busy with music, so I play in several different bands. The main ones are Blondfire, The Sleepy Rebels, The Saturday Club, Brookville, and Ivy. When I write my own songs I do it under the name The King of Nowhere.

6.) What are some other things you have recorded?

Recently I produced and wrote for a wonderful Ukrainian singer named Lana Mír. Her album is coming out this year on Unfiltered Records. I produce/co-produce the tracks for most of the bands I'm in.

7.) What are you most proud of?

Like, in life? or musically speaking?

I guess I can answer both with one answer... I guess I'm most proud of the fact that I've been able to survive almost completely from music related things, even in hard times.

8.) Back to The Voyces, how is it working with them? What is your creative involvement?

Working with the Voyces is a dream job on so many levels. It's like someone saying, "Okay Producer/Engineer guy, we're going to put you together with a band that you really love, the singers can actually sing (remarkably well), the front man can play everything in one take, they have similar influences and understand where you're coming from, and they are completely organized and great to work with."

Honestly, Brian and Jude are two of the nicest people I've ever met.

My creative involvement has a lot to do with what I do with the great performances Brian gives me. He knows and plays the parts he hears in his head, but it's my job to take those parts and make them sound like they should. The songs are so great that it would be a shame if they weren't recorded to their full potential. I do the best I can to make them sound timeless.

Occasionally I'll hear a part that I think would compliment it all in the grand scheme of things, but 99.9% of all the parts come from Brian's ideas. I'm convinced the man has a pop symphony running in his head 24/7.

The Voyces Render A Packed Room Speechless

2009-01-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

The Voyces - JANUARY 9th, 2009: Rockwood Music Hall in New York City

As much as I already knew that I absolutely love this band, a performance like the one I saw tonight to reminds me of all the reasons why. I go and see a lot of bands, and believe me there is a lot of crap out there. Even artists I like (The Majoreons, Adam Levy) do not come close - in my humble opinion - to the pure magic weaved by The Voyces.

What makes them so special? What is this possession of theirs that makes them so creatively superior? Tonight I tried to break it down if only for myself. These are the things I came up with. First, and I think least, which says a helluva lot, it is the stage presence of both Brian Wurschum and Jude Kastle. Brian is the shit. The man. In all my life I can't think of anyone else with his power to silence a crowded room. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly. Charisma I guess. He starts doing something and everyone just jumps in his hand. Tonight, and the place was packed, he did this.......again. Started playing while peering around the room and it got still and silent. His look. It is intimidating if he wants it to be. He looks mean. Until he smiles. Disarmed! The whole room. Makes this look easy I tell ya. It is his presence. I don't know what it is exactly. (My girlfriend, who thinks he is hot and a stud and the whole annoying nine yards, laughs at all of his jokes and explains to me that this is a factor.) He is funny between songs. Biting sarcastic wit. I don't know he is just the man. He just seems like a star, and so does Jude. Jude. She counteracts his scowls with warmth. Kastle is the gorgeous siren who proves to be trustworthy. It is hard not to look at one of these two singers and be drawn in all the way to their world of music. Bassist Frank Carreno is the most fun to watch though. He smiles throughout like he knows something we don't. And Drummer Eric Puente is so lost in what he is doing at any given moment that he may not even know the crowd is there.

Really it's the songs. They blow my mind every time. Tonight they opened with "Turn Around And Run Away." The lyrics are so intense that I don't wanna get into it. Sorry. But here is a sample so you see what I mean:

"...all at once, it hit me/I've been living backwards and wrong/So put on a skirt and come get me/You'll be so impressed you'll just have to undress when you hear all the truths that I have confessed and slipped into a song/But they're lies, lies/So turn around and run away and don't come back again..."

It's so freakin melodic and haunting and great.

Then they played "You're In Charge Of Driving The Narcotics Trolley And You're Doing An Excellent Job."

"...Sugar milk/Lined around your block now
Superstars draw chalk around it somehow..."

It's a funk song. Or something.

Then they pushed "Where The Little Girls Still Throw Roses" on us. Usually they play it last. It was perfect early. The harmonies are well just hear for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbYFNhH4pMc
This is not from the same show but still. You get the idea.

They played "Tangerine" and "Kissing Like It's Love" and "Please Wash Away" and "Hair Up High." Such great songs people I tell ya.

It's really about the songs and the best part of the whole night was the new ones they played. They did not anounce the song titles but I already knew what they were because Brian sent me some samples and lyrics from their upcoming CD. They played "If I Am Not Your Everything Baby I'm Not Anything" and "It Never Just Goes" and "King Of Castle."
When Brian was nice enough to send me samples and lyrics he told me "don't do anything with 'em." Otherwise I would post them here. The CD comes out in March so I will be posting them soon. They were the best songs they played tonight. I am so excited for the new CD to drop. I swear.

This blog is a labor of love I swear. Any of you who were at the show can write to me. I would love that.

The Voyces at Rockwood Music Hall Tonight

2009-01-09T10:09:00.001-08:00

After hiding inside of studios for over six months, The Voyces are finally playing again. According to the band's website, they have no shows booked after this in the foreseeable future.
I am so freaking excited about tonight's gig. Going to post a full review tomorrow, for those who have seriously important other plans tonight.

Tonight, January 9th, 2009
Rockwood Music Hall (http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com)
196 Allen Street
New York NY 10002
212-477-4155

The Voyces' BEAUTIFUL Christmas Gift

2008-12-22T19:40:00.000-08:00

A wall of sound and a sea of voices (voyces) make up a spectacular Christmas song written and recorded by The Voyces. (Pssst, you can download it free at their site.)

http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-CHRISTMASTIME_I-2.m3u

East Village Blues (I Wanna Run, I Wanna Run, I Wanna Run Away)

2008-12-15T08:14:00.000-08:00

Still one of the finest songs ever recorded by The Voyces, East Village Blues is a folk song in the truest sense of the term. Unlike many of Wurschum's lyrics, this blues piece is filled with slang. Its desperate pleas rattle on with a palpable heartfelt longing to "run away."

The song was composed in roughly fifteen minutes, according to Wurschum: "I had lived in New York for about three months. I was disenchanted and homesick. One night I was walking down Fifth Street in the East Village, where I was living at the time. I heard the song all at once, rushed to a cafe, sat down, and wrote it out."

Instantly catchy with brilliant harmonies, it is no wonder it remains one of their most popular songs.

http://www.thevoyces.net/audio/THE_VOYCES-EAST_VILLAGE.m3u

EAST VILLAGE BLUES

I wanna run, I wanna run, I wanna run away
This life don’t suit me anymore
Freaks on the street, bums on the floor
My friends are phony, too
So I am out the door
I wanna run, I wanna run, I wanna run away
And sing to people more like me
Not scamps who can’t think, hear, or see
Who think they know, and even worse, that they know me
I wanna run, I wanna run, I wanna run away
But I can’t run away
First Avenue - the ground ain’t clean and the sky ain’t blue
Finally I’m home
I wanna run, I wanna run, I wanna run, I wanna run away
A king who’s got no crown to don
A knight of nowhere humming songs
Whose silver spoon is sold as bronze
Who’s forced to fight a thousand pawns
While time just carries on and on and on and on…
I wanna run, I wanna run, I wanna run away
Get married and then settle down
In some small place in some small town
We’ll laugh all day and sleep so sound
And let the world spin ‘round and ‘round and ‘round and ‘round

Written by Brian Wurschum (Copyright 2000, B.W.W. Music)

The Voyces release a Benefit CD for FARA

2008-12-10T07:17:00.000-08:00

Next week, The Voyces will release a benefit CD called, "A New Day Never Faraway." One hundred percent of the money will go to The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).
In the past, the band has hosted two fundraisers for FARA.

When I first heard about this, I wanted to know why The Voyces were involved with benefits such as these. When I saw this latest news on The Voyces website, I wrote and asked Brian Wurschum about this. He told me that his cousin-in-law had this disease, that not very many people have ever heard of Friedreich's Ataxia, and that he did not feel he could do much but wanted to do something. He went on to tell me about some of the other people who are afflicted whom he had met at the concert fundraisers, and about the profound impact meeting them had on him.

Then I ordered my copy of the benefit CD.
You can read all about Friedreich's Ataxia here: www.curefa.org
And you can buy the CD here: www.thevoyces.net

Interview: The Voyces' Jude Kastle

2008-12-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

1.) Tell me about your coming to be a part of The Voyces. How did it happen?

That's such a deep question. Sitting here trying to sum up the path of my whole life in one sentence.

2.) How would you compare The Voyces with other groups you've played or play with?

No comparison.

3.) How much creative input do you have during recording?

I have as much input as I want. Brian and I are partners.

4.) What is your favorite Voyces song to sing?

"Where The Little Girls Still Throw Roses."

5.) You have two solo albums (Ghost of a Girl and Junkie for Fire). Do you still write songs? Will any of the songs you have written ever show up on a Voyces album?

Maybe, but I don't think they're good enough.

6.) What artists most inspire you?

WOW .......WHOA.....um .......Brian Wurschum, Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney, Christine McVie, Los Lobos, Rush, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin, and The Eagles.

7.) Can you tell me about your upcoming album?

It's going to be our best record yet. Easily the best songs we've ever written and I'm really excited about it.

8.) Your harmonies with Brian (Wurschum) are incredible. Does it take a long time to get them to sound so tight?

We work out the harmonies but it comes pretty naturally.

9.) You and Brian make performing look effortless. I have never seen either of you appear to struggle. Is that an illusion? Is performing ever difficult for you?

No. It's not difficult. It's a joy and a pleasure. Performing has never been difficult for me but performing with The Voyces is special.

My Girlfriend's Favorite Shirt

2008-12-03T15:18:00.000-08:00

My girlfriend wears a "Pretty Girls Listen To The Voyces" t-shirt and she rocks it. My girlfriend happens to actually be very pretty, and she does indeed listen to The Voyces. But she gets so many comments about it that she tells me it makes her feel pretty, even when she's on the rag.

The Voyces sell these and many other shirts, including ones with original Brian Wurschum artwork, right here: http://www.cafepress.com/thevoyces

It's fun, fun fun..........

The (hilarious) "Kissing Like It's Love" Video

2008-12-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

I have seen a lot of music videos and most of them have left me disappointed. Shot in an old silent movie format, The Voyces' video for their infectious song "Kissing Like It's Love" delivers on many fronts. It is a clever idea: Brian attempts to get his band a recording contract, can't because his band refuses to "sell sex", and cries about his situation to a slue of hot girls in school girl uniforms, short skirts, and bikinis...as they suck on lollipops and eat bananas.

One detail that is hard to see but worth knowing: the sign on the door of the record label which rejects the group reads GIGANTIC RECORDS - "We have lots of cash. That's our thing."

Songwriter/singer and writer/director of the video Brian Wurschum has been promising a video for The Voyces' gorgeous song "Top Of My Lungs" for a long time, but still no sign as of yet.
At least we have this.
It's really funny. I watch it a couple times a week.

Interview: The Voyces' Brian Wurschum

2008-11-25T09:37:00.001-08:00

I read somewhere that, in your mind, The Voyces have only been around since about 2006. Yet you released CDs in 2000 (The Best Day of My Life), 2002 (Jack Johnson’s Thicker Than Water), and 2003 (The Angels of Fun). What did you mean by that?

In 2006, the band I had always envisioned finally materialized.

That’s when Eric Puente and Jude Kastle joined the group?

Yes.

What about their presence caused such a dramatic shift in your mentality?

Jude is, for lack of a better way to put this, my musical counterpart. We have an identical creative vision. And our personalities complement one another’s, which makes life simple. The exact same things can be said about Eric. Frank and I were already tight, so now we are four peas in a pod. Having a band can be really challenging if that band’s health and survival is your lifeline, and I would honestly describe this situation, creatively and personally, as effortless. Nothing is required except that which comes naturally anyway. This all combines to make it easy to focus on the only thing that really matters, which is the music itself.

Kissing Like It’s Love is a great record.

I like it.

Was that fun to record?

It was. There were a lot of hurdles to climb as far as logistics went. We started recording that album in three studios before it all came together beautifully and we settled into Lofish Studios with Alex Nizich. He co-produced that CD and was not properly credited in a lot of our major press. That still bothers me. He absolutely made that record happen. He worked so hard on it. Rarely slept. Wow, that was an adventure. But it was a fun one.

And the album did well. Better than you had anticipated?

We did not know what to expect, so we had no expectations. One sale would have us high-fiving.

You are working on the songs for your next album, Let Me Die in Southern California. I have been lucky enough to have seen some of the lyrics. As a huge fan, I will tell you that I find them to be your best and most thought-provoking to date.

Thank you.

The title track contains stunning imagery about the Southern Californian’s lifestyle, and the west coast in general. Was this song written in California?

In a way, yes. It’s hard to explain. I felt and sort of heard the song while we were out there on our last tour, while driving to the airport to head back to New York City. I am from California, so it is always a potent experience when I am there. And leaving is always hard. But I found the melody and wrote the lyrics when I got back to New York.

I’m dying to hear the music. Is it as sad as the lyrics?

Well, I do not know. It is a hard rock song. It is a driving song. It alludes to a definite longing. Yes, it is a driving-hard rock-longing type of a song.

What’s your favorite song on the new album?

There is a song on which Jude sings lead. “King of Castle.” It’s gorgeous.

Oh wow, is that a play on her last name?

Not on purpose, no.

And you are re-recording a song from your old band, majority DOG, right?

“Finest Hour.”

Why re-record it?

I love the song, and I think it deserves a new life.

Do you want to talk about your old band?

No thanks.

Another new song you let me read is called, It Never Just Goes. Can you tell me about this one?

It’s the catchiest song on the new album, I think.

The words are pretty.

Thanks.

What Voyces song are you most proud of?

Not including any of the songs that will be on our next album, I would say “Where The Little Girls Still Throw Roses.”

Other favorites?

“The Angels Of Fun” and “Kissing Like It’s Love.”

What songwriters most inspire you?

There are so many. The most influential ones are probably Roger Waters, Randy Newman, Walter Becker, Paul Simon, and Peter Gabriel. But there are too many to list.

Interview: The Voyces' Bassist Frank Carreno

2008-11-15T23:09:00.000-08:00

1.) Tell me about your coming to be a part of The Voyces. How did it happen?

Well, first let me say, Dan, that I am tickled about this blog! I liked your account of encountering The Voyces for the first time. I'll never forget mine...It was the East Village, back when Leshko's was still a diner, and you could smoke with your coffee. I had a job at a recording studio/dupe house overlooking ave. A, when one day, an inconspicuous/peculiar pair came by to have their music remastered and copied to cd. As soon as I heard the opening drum fill of the first track, ( "The End of Everything",) my jaw dropped. I stopped what I was doing, came out and stood still to listen. "This is awesome!", I said. It was an understatement. I thought, "how could this unassuming guy sound like Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Simon, Garfunkel, AND Ozzy?" They needed a bass player, and the rest, as they say...

2.) How would you compare The Voyces with other groups you've played or play with?

I don't know how I could, or why! Except to say that I got the feeling very early on that Brian was a "lifer", if you take my meaning. Also, there has been an extremely unusual absence of drama, bullshit, or any other "weirdness" with The Voyces.

3.) How much creative input do you have during recording?

Plenty. But it has been my experience, for want of good studio etiquette, to speak only when spoken to. There is a fascinating process that transpires between songwriter and producer that requires the air to be uncluttered with the opinions of so many cooks in a kitchen.

4.) What is your favorite Voyces song to play live, and why?

Now that's tough! I could narrow it down to a few: "We Will Kill You in the Long Run" is one of my favorites because it is the longest, and with three part harmonies! "You're In Charge of Driving the Narcotics Trolley, and You're Doing an Excellent Job" and "Lie Down on Me" are both veritable bass solos, and I can, you know, hot dog it a little. I could not truthfully answer this question without listing every single song we play.

5.) How long have you played the bass? What got you started?

I was air guitaring for a very long time, but I had it backwards. At thirteen, I saved up and got a Hagstrom electric guitar, and a rude awakening! After teaching myself awhile, I'd instinctively play the root notes of songs, and for my sixteenth birthday, I got a Fender Precision imitation bass made by Sears & Roebuck. I taught myself using the play-rewind, play-rewind method.

6.) What bassists most inspire you?

I'm really not a "player's player", not one of these guys into Jaco or John Pattatucci. Great players though they are, I'm more of the show up & "where do I plug in?" type. I think all bass players unanimously put Sir Paul McCartney at the top of their list. Bernard Edwards (Chic) is another one of my favorites. James Jamerson, who played on most of the old Motown hits is up there, too. Brian Wurschum is actually a monster bass player!

7.) Is there any playing you have done on a Voyces record you are most proud of? Which moments or songs? Why?

Hand-claps are always my favorite part of recording! Everyone present huddles around the mic and claps slightly off from each other, and there's this infectious silliness, and everybody is giddy and trying not to laugh too loud! Anybody that's ever done this knows exactly what I'm talking about!

Interview: Voyces' Drummer Eric Puente

2008-11-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

1.) Tell me about your coming to be a part of The Voyces. How did it happen?

Brian put up a a very funny and unusual post looking for a drummer. One thing was that made me appreciate the post was: someone who loves music as much as we do; who is about "the song" and not "the fills."

I had plenty of time to prepare for the audition, so I downloaded every album to saturate myself in their style. Brian sent me a list of about 5 songs for the audition and I ended up learning more like 10 songs. Preparation was everything - i charted out every song, and worked on all the tempos, changes, etc. after that, i went back and *really* focused on the groove and feel of each song. *really* listened to play the best part for each tune - much of which was a play less, but more feel.

Do you always come to auditions so prepared?

If I have time, yes. I always chart out and learn the individual song parts, changes, dynamics. For The Voyces, I had the luxury of doing that, and then going back, and almost start all over.....just focusing on different "feels" for each song, until one felt right.

2.) How would you compare The Voyces with other groups you've played or play with?

No comparison. Period.

3.) How much creative input do you have during recording?

Brian also plays drums, which is a HUGE plus. So when he has an idea in mind for a particular groove, he can just sit down and play it for me, and I get it instantly. He and I have a comprehension of what each other is thinking of musically. Again, it is all driven by each particular song - some songs need to be laid down more simply, and on others I have the freedom to improvise and be more free-form.

4.) What is your favorite Voyces song to play live, and why?

I love playing them all. It all depends on the particular night, the venue, how we are all feeling. Some of my fav's are 'Top of My Lungs', 'Rebby's Song', and 'Daydream'. Of course, new material is being written right now, so those will soon become my fav's as well.

5.) How long have you played the drums? What got you started?

My mom has a picture of me playing drums as a 1 year old, so I think it was in me from the start. Rhythm makes my heart beat and I love banging on things, I guess. When I hear music (especially live), I stop in my tracks to go watch and, if lucky, participate somehow. I officially started lessons when I was 10 years old, and have been playing, in one form or another, ever since. I have played in classical orchestras, marching bands, punk, hardcore, pop, jazz, and hand percussion. I think all of this prepared me for The Voyces.

6.) What drummers most inspire you?

Steve Gadd and Peter Erskine are probably the two biggest influences for me. Both of these guys know how to really work hard and get serious about the music they are playing - they both LISTEN to a song first, and then lay down the drums SECOND. They also happen to be extremely gifted drummers with amazing skills. I grew up listening to Bill Bruford, Phil Collins in the Gabriel days of Genesis, Stewart Copeland, Terry Bozzio, and Bonham.

Since you are so songs themselves, who are some of your favorite songwriters?

Some of my favorite songwriters (or favorite bands recently) are Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Band of Horses, Ryan Adams, and especially Ray Lamontagne,

7.) Is there any playing you have done on a Voyces record you are most proud of? Which moments or songs? Why?

There is an un-released song (you can hear it on http://www.myspace.com/thevoycesmusic) named 'You Can Never Know'. This is a song that Brian brought into the studio one late night - probably around 12:30AM. I had never heard it before this night, and I charted as Brian played a scratch track on acoustic and scratch vocals. It was one of those magical nights where we started with absolutely nothing, heard it for the first time, got completely immersed and inspired, and captured it on the recording moments later. By 2AM, we had most of the song done, and as I drove home, listening in my car, I could not stop smiling the entire ride.

Ode to The Voyces

2008-11-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

Impeccably harmonic indie rock band The Voyces have been one of my ipod's only constants for the better part of the past six years. My haphazard discovery of this fulfilling entity came one lonely night way back when at Arlene Grocery in the Lower East Side in New York City. I was only there to please a wishes of a woman I no longer know. And it was on this night that my relationship with her came to a bittersweet conclusion. I sat in the crowded bar completely alone. She had just dumped my sorry ass. A band was getting set to play and I wanted nothing to do with the noise I was certain would ensue. A guy began playing his guitar, the room silenced, and the light dimmed. Soon the band behind him began performing and what I heard that night brought about all kinds of changes in my life. One original song flowed into another. Who are these people? I was lost in their songs in a way that was highly unusual for me and I needed to own everything they released. Why have I never heard of them before? I asked someone sitting at a table next to mine who they were and he shrugged.

"We laughed so hard in that courtyard, were you high that day?
How could someone know perfection, turn, and walk away?"

The song that grabbed me and turned me into a lifelong fan was Were You High That Day? and when the song was finished I could not move for a long time.

I learned all about the group that was on stage that night and have followed them rigorously ever since. At the time of this writing they are not playing live, which is a shame, because they are recording a new cd of music, which is great news. But their hiatus has prompted this lifelong fan to create a blog about them.

I will add much much more to this site as time allows. In the meantime anyone interested should look at their own website: http://www.thevoyces.net