Band of the Day: VAYA

What’s Ameridian rock? Read on…

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

Raphaël: I was born in Chile and grew up in Switzerland.

Philipe: I am Swiss.

Victoria: We are basically all from Switzerland but we have all different origins.

How did you meet?

Raphaël: I met Victoria VAYA through a music store in Gland, 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

Philippe: I received an email from someone telling me a band was looking for musicians.

Victoria: Through the spirit of music. It’s why music is magic because without it we would never know each other.

How long have you been playing as a band?

Raphaël: Almost two years as a band, and 14 months on stage

Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?

Victoria: Too late, you killed me! VAYA is the legend of the white wolf. It just arrived simply with the song called by the same name. “Come in my kingdom, the groove of rainbows, you. Just follow my howl, surrender control, you! Tear of fire…” Her legend is blowing now on the stage for making dance and sing people around the sacred fire.

What are your influences?

Raphaël: My personal influence is mostly rock music: Jack White (The Dead Weather), RHCP, The Who, Twenty One Pilots.

Philippe: Rock, blues, hard rock, heavy metal, jazz-funk, fusion, country.

Victoria: All of nature and its powerful vibrations.

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

Raphaël: The strong voices, the loud rhythms, the music comes from guts.

Philippe: The songs, the rhythm and the voices.

Victoria: Each person can pretend to be unique, this is the law of the world. Now each one has a different way to express it. We are combining our unique way of being through loud and strong drums, crystal and wild voices and psyche and mystical melodies

Do you have any particular lyrical themes?

Victoria: Yes, Life experiences and human condition.

What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?

Victoria: Completely animal, rock and authentic. How many? I really don’t remember.

Raphaël: A live show that you will remember. The voice is so powerful, and without any light shows. I am still surprised that the audience is thankful and go back home with the smile. Almost 40 live shows in 8 countries around Europe and North America.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?

Raphaël: A crazy audience in Canada who was screaming “Don’t go back to Switzerland!”

Philippe: It was at The Dukes Bar in Switzerland, the audience was so enthusiastic, so full of joy and happiness, it was a blast!

Victoria: Being on stage two weeks before giving birth and then polishing the VAYA double album ten days after giving birth.

What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?

Victoria: Wow. I do not know the material of my friends. I am on the Goliath drum, Prophet keyboard, two microphones and as the tiger, go to a place to another one on the stage.

Raphaël: A three-piece Fusion drums, DW snare drum, Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Cymbals, and my Roland SPD-SX.

Philippe: I play the electric guitar, a Fender Stratocaster, custom shop but in Canada, I played on a Gibson and it was fun too!

What are your plans for 2018?

Philippe: For the rest of the year, nothing special but I’ll keep composing and looking forward for the tours next year! We had a wonderful time in 2018; so many opportunities!

Victoria: Uh, isn’t it finished yet? Composing again.

Raphaël: The same thing we do overnight, Pinky… Trying to take over the world! To be serious, US/Canada tour in Spring 2019, Europe tour in Summer 2019, and recording the second album.

If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!

Raphaël: I would choose my friends FIXIT.

Philippe: It would be Killiradio, they’re good friends of mine and I like the music they play!

Victoria: Same as Raphaël.

VAYA: official | facebook | twitterinstagram | youtube

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