Bay Area indie electro artist Violent Vickie just released her album, Monster Alley
I’m not exactly sure how I heard of Violent Vickie, but I’m glad I did. I know it had something to do with Facebook, or SoundCloud, or both. I started following her on Facebook and was intrigued by her frequent posts about the track she was working on or the current genre of music she was obsessed with or inspired by. She was nice enough to do an interview by chat. She recently moved from Oakland to SF, but we still love her 
You need to check out her album. I’m partial to “City for the Rich”.
She’s having a release party for her new album, Monster Alley at the Stork Club on Friday at 9pm (3/15/13). Check her out!
The Stork Club is at 2330 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland.
facebook event page | Violent Vickie on bandcamp | Violent Vickie on facebook
How would you describe your sound?
electro-punk, electro-pop, post riot grrrl electronic music, etc, with hints of industrial influence.
Your music seems to be in a unique niche. I can’t think of any other local techno revivalists out there. On Facebook, you often talk about making “perfect techno music.” Elaborate? What is it about the perfection of techno that you particularly enjoy?
I don’t exactly make “techno” music, but a lot of my beats are influenced by minimal German techno, house & electro. I really enjoy that super precise sound for some strange reason. Maybe it’s all the time I’ve spent with machines.
Who are some of your indi-electro contemporaries?
I was initially super inspired by Julie Ruin, Le Tigre, Miss Kittin, Tracy & The Plastics, Adult., Peaches, Jeans Team, Felix da Housecat etc in the early 2000s when electroclash was big. Those artists all have more of a pop element, but Adult. & Peaches have a bit more of a techno influence. I also love a lot of the artists on Ellen Alien’s label, B Pitch Control, like Paul Kalkbrenner, Modeselektor, and Sascha Funke and I like Kompact & Weird Records artists lots too.
Who are you favorite artists, musically or otherwise?
I love feminist artists like Cindy Sherman, Carolee Schneeman, & Yoko Ono. I was totally blown away by Cindy Sherman’s recent exhibit at the MOMA.
My favorite rock-ish bands are Bikini Kill and L7. I got way into riot grrrl when I went to college. I listened to Heavens to Betsy, Bratmobile, Sleater Kinney, Raouul, etc. I was also way into The Smiths and The Cure and Siouxsie of course, and then I got way into experimental electronic music or “IDM” (Intelligent Dance Music) like Aphex Twin, Autechre, Squarepusher, & Plaid. I will always love Daft Punk, oh yes and Kraftwerk of course!…and I like a lot of goth industrial stuff too like Skinny Puppy, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, etc. Whoah, this is getting extensive. Can you tell I love music?
You’re were at one time based in Oakland. Now you’re in SF. How does this influence your music?
Well, …I suppose it makes me not have much time to work on music because it’s so expensive to live in the bay that you have to work a lot..Also, attempting to find affordable housing in SF inspired me to write the song “City For The Rich”. I actually saw “City For The Rich” stenciled on the sidewalk around town a few years ago, and that’s where I got the song title from. Also, my experience with a lot of creepy, violating men here & all over inspired me to write “The Wolf”. On a more positive note, it’s been super awesome playing the queer/drag circuit in SF & being part of the DIY punk scene in Oakland.
Where can we listen and/or buy your music?
My new album “Monster Alley” is available here by donation:
http://violentvickie.bandcamp.com/
Any live performances coming up?
Yes. I’m having a CD release party March 15 @ Stork Club!!! The lovely Tyler Holmes will be playing with me on synth & Placentaur, Greggawatt, & I.VII.I.IX will play as well. It will be an all Oakland electronic based lineup!
Also, I’m doing a mini tour of The South in late March & I’m planning to tour Europe again in June. Here are the dates for my Southern Tour:
3/15: Oakland @ Stork Club
3/23: New Orleans @ Siberia
3/27: Atlanta @ Dark Horse Tavern
3/28: Atlanta @ The Drunken Unicorn
3/29: Athens, GA @ Little Kings
3/30: Nashville @ The Owl Farm
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Don’t give up. Recognize & resist the ways that capitalism/racism/sexism/homophobia & transphobia make you feel shitty. Take B12 & vitamin D, especially if yr vegan and/or it is winter. Eat yr fruits & veggies, get plenty of sunshine, exercise, Breathe & Let Go!! haha
