Glitter and confetti lingers in the breeze and on dance floors while goals and the positivity that comes with each new year fills our hearts. It’s 2024! It’s a new year! It’s time for a new round of The Zone @ 91-3’s Band of the Month.
Indie dream pop duo, Vox Rea, made up by multi-instrumentalist sisters, Kate and Lauren Kurdyak. With their music made of layers of angelic harmonies and moving lyrics it’s clear why they have been a staple of the BC music scene for the last several years. With notable performances at music festivals like Rifflandia, Laketown Shakedown, Treefort, South By Southwest, Capitol Hill Block Party and more than we could ever list.
Rocktographers had a chance to see Kate and Lauren’s magical side as they summoned woodland creatures during our Band of the Month photo session. Afterwards, Tyson Elder chatted New Years Resolutions, touring and what’s next for the band.
Tyson Elder: Happy New Year, Kate and Lauren! It must be very exciting to kick-off 2024 by being The Zone’s first Band of the Month for 2024.
This is a question I’d usually reserve for the end of an interview but, as it is that time of year, I’m curious if Vox Rea has any — for lack of a better term — New Year’s Resolutions? Personally, I prefer the terms goals or intentions. Are there any milestones you are striving for in the coming year for the band?
Lauren Kurdyak: We have a ton of new music that we’re stoked to release over the next year.
Kate Kurdyak: Other than that, we just want to travel and play in new places and meet dope people along the way that love music as much as we do.
TE: While half of Vox Rea might live in Vancouver, you have some very strong Vancouver Island roots. It seems that you split your time between the mainland and the island fairly evenly. How do you stay connected to both places in a meaningful way?
Lauren: Our grandparents are from Victoria and we grew up spending every summer in East Sooke. Our parents live there now and we often hang out on the island when we’re not on tour.
Kate: We actually recorded our album there in December in front of a big window facing the ocean.
Lauren: The island has become our space for creativity and rest and Vancouver is our hustle and bustle work zone.
TE: Your single, Julia, is going to be the Band of the Month feature single this month on The Zone @ 91-3. It has this dreamy ethereal pop vibe that sticks with you after every listen. The harmonies between you two are just magical. Could you shed some light on how the song came about?
Lauren: Julia actually started as a folk song, and when we went to record it, we tried something completely new.
Kate: That approach actually inspired a lot the sonic atmosphere of our next album. We love taking a sad song and making it contradict itself.
TE: You look like you are having the most fun when playing Julia live and it’s one of the biggest highlights to watch for in your set. It was especially exciting to see the crowd react to the song at both Rifflandia and when you opened for Monowhales at Wicket Hall earlier this year.
Lauren: 100%.
Kate: It’s by far one of our favourite songs to play live these days.
TE: On the topic of Monowhales, I was recently talking with our mutual friend, Sally Shaar after wrapping up their North American “Who’s There To Hear Me Out” Tour and she had nothing but nice things to say about Vox Rea as you joined as support during the BC leg in November. Sally said I should ask you about pup in Kamloops and something about “the legend of the Blue Grotto.” Care to elaborate?
Lauren: Sally is the best and that tour was super fun. Pup is a legend himself and the Blue Grotto is one of the most wonderfully bizarre places we’ve ever played. It’s a labyrinth where any corner you turn you could find a boxing gym or a giant fun house mirror.
Kate: Would 10/10 recommend going if you’re in Kamloops.
TE: Okay, continuing on our chat on touring I want to ask you about your backing band they seem so familiar… like they’ve also been The Zone’s Band of the Month before…
You have really connected with The Bankes Brothers. It’s so rare for me to see a band work so in tandem with another like they do with you. It is almost kismet. Since you’ve added them I have to say your already stellar live show has gotten even better. How did you meet the boys and decide to work together?
Kate: Meeting The Bankes Bros was by far one of the highlights of 2023. It was love at first hang – like when your certain kinds of weird just work together.
Lauren: We met them at a band camp retreat that MusicBC put on and had the time of our lives. We asked them to play Rifflandia with us and the rest is history.
Kate: To put it simply, they’re the PB to our J. 🥪
TE: Needless to say our Band of the Month photo session together was magical. It was like Disney Princess magical – you both seemed to be able to summon all the creatures of Beacon Hill Park to be part of the photo shoot. Including squirrels, ducks, The Bankes Brothers, and a tree full of peacocks. Is this a normal thing for Vox Rea?
Kate: A Disney princess never reveals her secrets, Tyson … 😉
TE: After our photo session we chatted about Vox Rea working on new music at the moment. When can we expect from new music from the band?
Kate: The one month countdown is on. February 2023, baby!!
TE: Vox Rea just announced a barnburner of a show this February with the aforementioned Bankes Brothers and Nicky Mackenzie at Upstairs in Victoria. What should people expect?
Kate: Barnburner is a great word. We promise there will be steam, sweat, siblings, and lots of sparkles.
Lauren: Don’t miss it!
TE: Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about everything Vox Rea. I’m really looking forward to your tenure as Band of the Month and hearing Julia on The Zone @ 91-3.
Kate: No, thank you! It’s been such a pleasure getting to hang.
January 2024’s Band of the Month, Vox Rea, will have The Zone @ 91-3 swooning with their single, Julia. The song is available for download (along with two other tracks) on their Band of the Month microsite. There you can also find out more about the band and more photos from their Rocktographers photo session.
Rocktographers is a proud supporting sponsor of The Zone’s Band of the Month program.