Unlike the failed video game console, this Virtual Boy is downright awesome.
As someone who’s posted about them on multiple occasions, you know I’m definitely down with their unique sound.
That’s why it is my pleasure today to give you this great interview with the duo, going over music production, working in a pair, and what it means to pursue a unique sound.
I think you’re going to love it, musician or not, so stop reading the intro and lez do this!
Note: Since they responded as a pair, “H” signifies Henry Allen and “P” is for Preston Walker. Enjoy! 🙂
First of all, glad to you guys today, I’m pretty sure my first encounter with your music was from the ‘Drink The Sea Remixes’, and I’ve awaited every release since.
I have to ask, as a duo, how does that effect the creative process? Are segments of music ever worked on individually, or in general, is everything worked on together? How is this process different (good and bad) versus a solo creation?
H: For us all our music is probably 99% created together in the same room.
It just works better for us that way.
Usually one of us sits at the computer while the other noodles on a synth or vocoder or something, and we trade off.
It just makes it much easier so ideas can be flushed out on the spot.
P: I’ve noticed that the dynamic between us in the studio is different than working with other people.
We both love to make music solo, but working on Virtual Boy tracks together is something so uniquely awesome because of that special dynamic.
I’d like to think that you guys have a very defined “sound”, a style of music that let’s me know its you before I even see the artist name.
H: That’s the best an artist can hope for! haha.
I personally can’t tell all the time but that may be because I am taking part in the writing of the music.
I suppose it’s the elements we use everytime like vocoder, guitar, and maybe our orchestral elements.
I’ve talked to artists before about their unique sounds, and some say it’s done very much on purpose, while others say they just go with whatever comes to them.
H: For us it’s definitely natural.
Lately we’ve been pushing ourselves to use more orchestral elements like we did on our Symphony No. None EP.
P: We really try not to think too much about being unique.
Our particular tastes in music leads us to create whatever we put out.
Do you go for a specific “vibe” when creating music, or is the process less thought out and more “come what may”?
H: I think each body of work we begin to write has an overall vibe we want to achieve.
We definitely think it’s very important for an ep or album to sound cohesive, so using the same elements and instruments is important definitely.
P: It’s not so much a “vibe” rather a story.
That central story helps us create a sound palate for the music to live in. Kind of like a setting in a movie.
Additionally, do you think it’s important for artists to pursue a unique style so that they don’t get lost in the sea of other musicians?
H: Yeah definitely.
It’s really important to be fresh and unique these days just because there is sooooo much out there and you have to be very creative to stand out amongst it all.
P: Everyone has a unique taste and they should definitely not be afraid to explore that in their music.
As a non-musician, I’m always interested in the creative process when it comes to making music. What’s an ideal scene look like for you when it’s time to create some new tracks?
H: We like to get away from your typical studio environment.
Like when we wrote Virtual Boy, we went to Corrales, New Mexico and secluded ourselves in an adobe house without internet and tv for a few weeks.
I have a lot of readers who are musicians themselves, any advice you would give them on the industry side of things? (Labels, contracts, sales & marketing, etc.?)
P: Larger labels are becoming more and more obsolete.
The only places worth releasing your material is on a smaller, but established indie labels or by doing it yourself via bandcamp or something like that.
Last but certainly not least, when are you going to make up for what I consider an absolute tragedy: nothing’s dropped on your SoundCloud in 3 months! 😉
H: Haha! well we are working on a new EP that we are shooting to release before this coming fall.
And we are also working on scoring our first film, which will hopefully also be released as a soundtrack.
What are you guys currently working on? What can fans expect in the near (and distant) future?
P: Amping our live set.
We’ve recently cut out computers form our setup and started touring with a bassist full time.
Favored place for people to go to find out more about you?
H:Our Facebook is kept most up to date definitely.
You can also check our website www.wearevirtualboy.com
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That’s it this time around, thanks again to Virtual Boy for providing some awesome insight and for taking the time to join us here on Sophistefunk.
Remember to show Virtual Boy some love (and get familiar with their music) on SoundCloud, Facebook, and the official website.
Take care.
–Greg
