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Velvet Brick really impressed me with their debut album 'Firewater'. They impressed me that much I just had to interview this American Rock band. It's not often that you find a Rock band who don't play the same regurgitated rubbish that has put a downer on that genre of music. What Velvet Brick have to offer is fresh and inspiration Rock. Here's what they had to say:

Street Voice: Can you introduce Velvet Brick to the world?

VB: Deanna Marie – lyrics and vocals
Ian Knox - bass
Nathan Maness - drums
jason - guitar

Street Voice: So how's Firewater gone down with the press and fans?

VB: Well received – numerous on-line and print mentions, fantastic reviews, some radio play, a couple of TV appearances, movie soundtrack attention, as well as a couple of Grammy nods here in the states. The fan response has been great! We've become a top downloaded band on the CDFuse website, and orders for the album have come in from all over. Someone once told us it's their favorite CD to drive to. It's rad when people appreciate what you do.

Street Voice: Were you pleased with the final results of the album?

VB: Yes, we are very pleased. This was our first project with producer Rob Hinton (A-Valve Studios - Austin, TX.) Most musicians can say that you're never really satisfied - you could spend forever nit-picking tracks. But we think it's a good and accurate snapshot of the band at that point in time. We're definitely proud of it.

Street Voice: Who writes the lyrics and where do they get their inspiration from?

VB: Deanna writes all the lyrics.

Deanna: My inspiration comes from a deep madness that festers within the shadows of my soul. But seriously, rock'n'roll is my outlet for all those crazy bits that are sociably unacceptable for expression. I have this uncontrollable urge to say the things that nobody else is willing to. I firmly believe there is a bit of crazy within everyone and I'm just lucky enough to have a place where I can let mine out. Where else can I scream like a banshee about sex, drugs and failed relationships?





Street Voice: What made you decide to play the kind of Rock music you do?

Jason: I play the kind of music I would like to hear when I go out. I get really bored with everyone trying to ride the next trend or to sound like whoever is on the radio. I grew up appreciating music with swagger, attitude, real emotion, and feel. That's all I try to do. Whatever direction that takes me is the direction my music will reflect. If you listen to the album, it has diversity---every track has its own vibe.

Deanna: I grew up on good old-fashioned rock'n'roll and when I open my mouth those heavy influences come out and I sing with the same intensity of the instruments around me. I like my music hard and loud, but at the same time I want to be able to sing to it. We haven't seen women sing over these sorts of riffs since the Wilson sisters and I think that's a shame. I want music you can feel in your bones – the kind that shakes your fillings and holds the melody at the same time. FIREWATER is a melting pot of rock's roots and modern innovation.

Street Voice: How come you chose to use a female vocalist when so many rock bands tend to go for the all male approach?

VB: When we were trying different vocalists with the band, we wanted to get the best fit musically. If that happened to be male or female, so be it. The first night we played with Deanna the chemistry was immediate and the songs really came to life. When it's that positive from the first moment, you don't question the results. We've never looked back or ever even thought about the decision.

It's also been great at shows. When people look at a female fronted rock band, they sometimes have a preconceived notion about what they're about to hear. It's interesting to see reactions during and then after the set. We're changing the way people look at our band with every show. People are starting to notice that we're for real.

Deanna: Having ovaries in a very male-dominated genre has been interesting and I would recommend it to all the ladies – it's the only way to bring out the balance. Being underestimated is part of the gig. Every time I step out on that stage I am proving myself over and over. Proving that women can rock if they want to - some of us just don't want to.

Street Voice: Deanna has a great voice so has she had any training or is she just a natural?

VB: Deanna: Both. This is the voice I was born with, volume and all, and I just polish it regularly like any professional who cares for their instrument. Vocal training is imperative if you expect to sing for a living - even more so if you have electric guitars to keep up with. I have a great coach who taught me how to use my voice and maintain my instrument.

Street Voice: If I sent over some European beer could I have Deanna sent over in exchange?

VB: Yes. Some Chimay would be nice. What is the exchange rate these days?

Deanna: Ha! The one thing I could be traded for – beer!

Street Voice: Your album is self financed so do you feel like you're pissing in the wind at times when a quality band like yourselves are ignored for some manufactured crap?

Jason: I sometimes have to shake my head….it can be very frustrating. But our way of thinking is that if we keep working hard, keep making quality music, and just stay focused on what WE can control, good things will happen. We really have something worth listening to—something that has passion and emotion. That's more important than someone paying the studio bill. My goal is to make albums that can stand the test of time---not like all these flavor of the week shit bands.

Deanna: I totally agree, but I do like that we have complete control over what we're doing. The evolution of the industry is empowering artists with new tools that allow us to manage ourselves in a more effective way. The internet has opened up global exposure so that the average musician can reach the people that want to hear them. We're no longer limited to gaining fans through live shows. The industry will always produce gutless music specifically for 11 and 12 year olds – you can't take it personally. If kids could spend their money on beer and cigarettes like everyone else, they wouldn't have any left to buy pop music.





Street Voice When you bringing the joys of Velvet Brick to Europe?

VB: The first chance we get! We've been grounded to the states for a couple of years while Deanna cleared up her troubles with the law. Now that she's legal we can leave the continent – but we'll have to keep her on a leash.

Street Voice: What are you guys up to for the rest of 2006?

VB: Touring regionally---then we'll take a break after the new year before we get back out on the road.

Street Voice: Hey were you happy with the election results back home then?

VB: We don't talk politics – Big Brother is watching.

Street Voice: Anything you'd like to add?

VB: Come see us live if you have any doubts.

Thanks to Deanna, Jason and the rest of the band for doing the interview. As I said these are a band well worth checking out so I hope you readers give them a listen.