As we say farewell to the NFL Super Bowl and say hello to D.C.’s Super Bowl, cherry blossom season, we decided to cover an artist who has strong ties to both the DMV and cherry blossoms.
🎙️ Spotlight: Ari Voxx
Self-Described Sound:
Dreamy Indie Pop *currently
Background:
Voxx has never ascribed to one sound or genre, and we’re all better for it. She grew up in the D.C. area studying classical guitar and then built a presence in the local scene as a jazz vocalist. Over the years, she’s performed with the swing and blues band The Gin Rickys and started a neo-soul project called Sweet Something. Still in her twenties, Voxx dedicates her sound to authenticity rather than trying to fit a mold. She credits numerous artists in new wave, ’90s grunge, and Motown as her influences.
Recently, she partnered up with the band The Sad Lads (Jegug Ih, Ryan Boshart, and Ben Tufts) to release her debut album last summer, with its tongue-in-cheek title, “I’m Okay, Please Stop Asking.” The album is heavily influenced by ’80s-tinged synth-pop, with a peppering of modern dreamy dance pop. Voxx’s ethereal vocals shine through on each track, with the occasional flare of theatrics, as in the song “Flamingo.”
Get To Know the Artist:
What artists influence you the most?
Definitely Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins with her vocals and the overall shoegaze sound of the band. When it comes to vocals, Imogen Heap influences me. For songwriting style, a little bit of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell. The kind of music I listen to the most is new wave post-punk, like Siouxsie and the Banshees, a little bit of ’80s, like synth-pop stuff from Eurythmics with Annie Lennox. She's a good vocal influence as well.
How did you find the music that influences you?
A lot of it I found on my own, but I'm the youngest of three and my siblings are a fair bit older than me. So I grew up listening to a lot of their music. My sister was really into Depeche Mode and dark wave stuff. My brother played guitar and got into ‘90s grungy rock. My parents would listen to a lot of Motown growing up. I'll always be influenced by that even if it's not my genre.
Local artist shoutout?
Buko Buko, Virg, Kinda Evil, and Glorian (Baltimore)
What keeps you in D.C.?
It’s always been home to me. I've traveled around a fair amount and I just always come back. I have a love-hate relationship with D.C. because it's gentrified a lot. It's becoming harder and harder to find cool spots, but I think that makes it even more special. When you do find the cool spots and the cool people, it feels magical.
Favorite venue?
DC9. It feels like home. They’re always so nice, and I’ve had a lot of great experiences there.
Your visual imagery for your music and band often centers around pink, florals, and cherry blossoms. Was that intentional?
My favorite color is pink, and I found myself drawn to the cherry blossoms. I leaned into that because it’s the only defining aesthetic factor about D.C. that's not the monuments. I'm drawn to dichotomy and I think the pink dreamy floral aesthetic is the opposite of what's inside, just like how my music sounds versus the lyrical content. At the music’s core, it is pretty dark and sad because I’m pretty dark and sad. I like to express the duality of life in that way.
What’s your go-to place to dine in the District?
I don’t go out often and when I do, I try to seek out the best of the best. The best food I’ve ever had has been at Maydan. Best frickin’ lamb shoulder I ever had.
Last song you listened to?
The Veldt, “The Everlasting Gobstopper.”
Where can people find you and your music?
My debut full-length album with The Sad Lads is out on streaming platforms everywhere.
Next Shows:
March 1 | 8 p.m. | $27 | Eaton House
March 30 | 7 p.m. | $15 | Atlas Brew Works
Plus, keep an eye out for Voxx at this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival.
Follow:
Song to Check Out:
A playlist made up of this month's local tunes, including lots of Ari Voxx. (Spotify)
🎟️ Other Upcoming Local Shows To See:
- Bad Moves (opening for Protex) (Punk) | March 6 | 9 p.m. | $21.02 | Comet Ping Pong
- Bam Alexander, Sukami (Hip Hop) | March 8 | 8 p.m. | $15+ | The Pocket
- Dorinda, Outerloop (Indie Rock) | March 14 | 8 p.m. | $19.32 | Songbyrd
- Sunstoney (opening for Psymon Spine) (Psych Pop)| March 21 |8 p.m. | $15 |Pie Shop
- Makeup Girl (Indie) | March 30 | 8 p.m. | $15+ | The Pocket
🎵 New Local Music Mentions:
Listeners of new indie music (and readers of this newsletter) might notice a pattern that ‘80s dance and new wave are influencing the scene on a local and national level. Mystery Friends’ latest album “Utopia” carries the nostalgic synth-pop torch with their first track “match” igniting a sound fit for a modern club or a John Hughes film. The song features a saxophone solo, a funky bass beat, a catchy chorus, and an ASMR-like sound of a match repeatedly extinguishing for a current twist.
🎧 Listen Now:
Check out this Spotify playlist we made, featuring Ari Voxx’s songs and inspirations, plus music by the other local bands above.
