VAYA a band in the making
Interview conduct on May 16, 2019
by Dan Locke
The white wolf Legend
Her spirit is screaming and blowing on the stage. She is the drums and her soul rises up through the sacred fire of music.
Its a powerful rock shaking by war back singers. A live show managing by a strong and sensual female voice supported by psychedelic guitar vibes and robust percussions.
VAYA is carried by three high personalities. Her essence is burning on scene night and day and take us into this fairy and mystical universe.
Welcome on Ameridian Rock!
Band members
Victoria – singer
Philippe – guitar
Raphaël – drums
Dan Locke: Your band is based out of Toronto ON. I used to hang out in Toronto a lot back in the 80s and 90s (I am from Buffalo). Has it changed since?
VAYA: Hi Unrated Magazine, nice to meet you Hard to answer because we are really new in town (coming from Europe). Well with new eyes, Toronto has this wild pulse really strong and when I arrived, I felt I will be more than creative. Perfect for the second VAYA’s opus: it will be clearly wilder than ever;)
Your band is from Switzerland. How is the music there?
Phil: It’s good and nice like everywhere!
VAYA: good question, I am a bad listener of new bands simply because I am a hard public to seduce;). Time is precious so I offer it to my creative work.
RAPHAEL: It is good for emerging bands.
How did you end up in Canada?
VAYA: Intuition? Destiny! 😀
What type of music did you listen to while going up?
Phil: Most of the time Hard Rock and Heavy Metal!
VAYA: Good one! )) so, I still love to listen to the beautiful rock vinyl of the 60s Thanks Mom! So much soul in it. I have in my heart my precious Jim M./Doors and on my background lot of classical music roots.
RAPHAEL: The new single Ghost, from Boniface (CA)
What was the first and last concert you saw?
Phil: Oh, the first, I really don’t remember and the last must have been a local band in my area but I don’t remember the name!
VAYA: Jack White; Thanks Jack you are the Legend of our Century!
RAPHAEL: The first concert I saw was Nada Surf. I’ve seen them a lot since! The last concert I saw was The White Lies (UK).
When did you pick up your first instrument and what brand was it?
Phil: The first I don’t remember; it was a classical guitar my dad brought me back from a trip but my first serious guitar was a Fender Stratocaster USA and I’m still playing on it coz I care a lot about it and it’s still my favorite!!!
VAYA: I didn’t, Music choose me))) I began simply with my ear so than through my voice.
RAPHAEL: I picked my first drums when I was 14 and it was a Roland.
How did your band get together?
Phil: Vaya and Raph’ started together, then shortly after, I joined them!
RAPHAEL: 3 years ago, I met VAYA through a music store in Gland (CH), and she heard that I play the drums. One day, she called me to record the first drums of VAYA’s album. I’ve never left since. It was a big pleasure when Philippe joined us for the live shows. Playing with so talented and connected people is amazing!
VAYA: Under a tree, in the middle of nowhere, a candlelight, a leather book, and music and lyrics came through my mind. I called Raph; “ Let’s jam everything is in my head, you can’t imagine!”. And the blow of VAYA is growing more and more till then.
How did you come up with the name for the band?
Phil: It’s inspired by the Indians from North America and the spirit or the legend of the white wolf!
VAYA: I just received its murmurings long time ago…
Tell us something about the band?
Phil: It’s very powerful music with a great loud voice, a great rhythm section with a lot of contrast and a good sound!
RAPHAEL: a tribal rock music, with a meridian influences into the rhythms and the vocals.
VAYA: Mystical? Universal! The beat of Human Being.
If your band was an animal, which one would it be?
Phil: A wolf!
VAYA: And now a white Tiger!
RAPHAEL: I would say the TIGER!
Do you listen to CHUM?
RAPHAEL: Sometimes I do
Have you tried to play in the United States yet?
RAPHAEL: We had an opportunity to perform in San Francisco this following summer, but the deadline was too short for us.
Phil: Yes, we tried to make a tour there but finally we gave up, coz we didn’t have the visas from the event responsible and it wasn’t good organized!
VAYA: Well, so not yet . But never know, it seems really complicated and sounds that we have a more positive welcome from Japan and South of America. Wind can change, VAYA’s doors are open.
While I was online I came across a release by VAYA which was a 12” vinyl LP in a jacket hand screened by the band in their bathroom. And it was not you. I think it was done by a band from Chicago. Have you done anything about them using your name for their band?
Phil: No it must be a coincidence!
RAPHAEL: nope, I think everybody is free to use a name.
VAYA: let’s meet them for a beer and a live show!
Tell me about your live performance?
RAPHAEL: It wakes up the little native there is in all of us
VAYA: Strong, animal, tribal, rock, just unique: Like a dance around the sacred fire
Do you like a physical release or digital better?
Phil: Physical
VAYA. Same.
RAPHAEL: I really prefer physical release.
Do the fan loss something by having it in digital form?
Phil: I don’t really know!
VAYA: Depending on their expectations. I mean if you ask to me that question I will say yes, and it is the reason we print on CD the first opus and will print the second one on vinyl, to glorify the music.
RAPHAEL: I think they are losing a lot. That’s why we are not on Spotify, etc… Only a few video clips on YouTube. Then, the fan can order the double album, or if possible come to our live show!
What do you think of vinyl?
Phil: It’s old fashion and old school!
VAYA: Lovely!
RAPHAEL: I love Vinyl, and thanks to Jack White, it is coming back on top! The next opus might be available on Vinyl…
Any guilty pleasures?
Phil: I don’t remember!
VAYA: Are pleasures a guiltiness?
RAPHAEL: Cheese & Pasta
What is the process to create a song?
Phil: Find a melody, chords, rhythm, and other ideas!
VAYA: nothing special. You just have to be connected with “THE IDEAS” up here, receiving anywhere, anytime. So It is why I always have my phone with (vocal notes) and my leather book (when my hands are free). I can clearly write on the street and record my voice on the phone: like the bass line, guitar moods, drums…. Anyway, you are just a disciple of Music; I signed it before coming on Earth;P
RAPHAEL: I first listen to the demos of VAYA. Then I add my drums according to the energy I would share from those first demos.
Is there such as a thing as a hit?
Phil: Yes sometimes there is!
VAYA: Life?
Can you name the made and model of the instruments that you use on stage?
Phil: Yes sure, it’s a Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop USA.
RAPHAEL: I perform on a 3 piece fusion drums, with a DW snare drum, Zildjian K Custom Cymbals, Roland SPD-SX, P-EAR-S in-ear monitors.
VAYA: Oh… a simple Shure KSM8.
If people search online do they sometimes mix up your band with Vaya Futuro from Mexico?
VAYA: funny, we are resting soon to Mexico. No more “ Vaya con Dios” And I like it; so spiritual!
RAPHAEL: I only hear about Vaya Con Dios
Any plans to tour the USA?
RAPHAEL: The USA is not our priority for now.
VAYA: any suggestions? We are available
Phil: Yeah maybe why not it would be really great!!!!
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Phil: I’ll be still playing with a few bands I’m playing now and I might have other and new bands!
VAYA: just the same: Evolution
RAPHAEL: Performing with VAYA and share our energy around the world
Who would you like to open up for?
Phil: “Extreme”
VAYA: Jack White.
RAPHAEL: Coldplay or Twenty One Pilots
Anything you like to say to your fans in closing?
Phil: Keep Rocking and have a blast!!!!
RAPHAEL: Thank You!
RAPHAEL: Thank you for following and supporting us!
VAYA: Enjoy Life and come for a dance with us around the sacred fire. We love you
With care.
VAYA
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