EMQ’s with ULTRA VOID
EMQ’s with ULTRA VOID
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Brooklyn, New York based Stoner Doom Metal band, Ultra Void. Huge thanks to bassist, songwriter Jihef, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Jihef. I play bass. I also write the music and handle recording duties.
We are a young band. We’re just starting. We were initially a recording project born out of necessity during lockdown as our plans with our respective projects went south. I had some songs laying around that needed to be finished. I called my old friend FlipMan to handle vocals. Andrew Piper played with me in Moron and already contributed on the tracks ‘Hellfire’ and ‘Swamp Of Doom’. Last, but not least, Laurent Cosani was a no brainer. He is a six strings destroyer (and my cousin).
How did you come up with your band name?
It comes from the decision I made to change major things in my life during the pandemic. Uncharted territories can be scary but they carry their own energy. A negative becomes a positive. It’s the Ultra Void.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I am from Brooklyn NY (born in France). The music scene is huge. Everyone is a musician. Lots of Stoner Doom bands. It can be a cliché too. ”Please not another band from Brooklyn”. Haha.
We are also fortunate to have some great clubs like Saint Vitus where big bands and local bands can play.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our first, self-titled, EP came out digitally on Jan 10th, 2021, on Bandcamp. It’s has 5 tracks.
‘Void Machine’ (Audio)
Who have been your greatest influences?
Elliott Smith. He showed me you could be fragile and heavy all at once. I like having contrast in my music. The vocals are always intense and dark while my singing is light and more melodic.
As a kid I looked up to Steve Harris. Bass players weren’t up front in the 80’s. It was all about guitar heroes. I loved his sense of melody and his attack on the bass. And he could play 16th notes for hours. A beast!!!
What first got you into music?
AC/DC’s “Powerage”. Bought that album when I was 10. As I was listening to ‘Sin City’ I started losing control of my body and while headbanging I tried to figure out why. It wasn’t because of the drums or the guitar. Cliff Williams made a bass player out of me.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
Jean Paul Gaster or Phil Rudd. For Those About To Rock is really heavy when you think of it. Yeah, a nasty doom duo with Phil Rudd on drums would be cool.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I would say Freak Valley. Seems so chill. Then Roadburn would be great too. And Hellfest because it’s bloody Hellfest. And it’s in France where I am from.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Still waiting for that one…If you’re reading this…haha!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you a million for your support. It’s not something I am ever taking for granted. It blows my mind every time people say they love our music. Or seeing your band’s sticker on a car. It never gets old.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Lemmy.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love the creating process in general. The before and after. To listen to something that didn’t exist a moment ago is “magical”.
As per being a musician in particular nothing beats being in a room with your brothers playing really loud, looking at stuff falling from the shelves and not giving two fucks about it. Haha.
But it also means that you have to be a jack of all trades of some sort. In my case learning how to record and mix. Then you have to be your own agent and figure out how to promote and approach labels and whatnot etc…I don’t hate it by any means. It’s cool to learn new things but it’s not always easy.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Less bands. More $ Haha. Musicians need to get paid way more for streaming. The Spotify monopoly is a bit evil.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
It’s a tough question because there are way too many. Off the top of my head, I would say “Agents Of Ahriman” by Greenleaf.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl. Better sound. Better listening experience. You actually take the time to enjoy something from beginning to end.
That being said I appreciate the Anytime Anywhere that comes with downloads and streaming.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Our best gigs are still ahead of us.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Anything creative.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
I haven’t seen my close family in two years. It would be way more than five people though.
Can’t wait for international travel to resume. So yeah, a feast in the big country house in Burgundy with all the loved ones around.
What’s next for the band?
Live shows and getting back into some kind of “normal”.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Bandcamp mostly but also Spotify when it’s recommended.
www.ultravoid1.bandcamp.com/
www.facebook.com/ultravoid1
www.open.spotify.com/artist/0KyJvVuT3NcIMFav04YFXU
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Cake!!!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Dude, thank you for having me. Hope you guys like our music.
Show your love and follow us on Bandcamp.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
