Video Premiere: "Stand the Test" by VOLK

VOLK is Nashville indie rock duo Eleot Reich (drums, vocals) and Christopher Lowe (guitar, vocals). Their new EP Stand the Test (out Apr. 28) delves into bluesy retro-futuristic dance punk, synthwave, new wave, and nostalgia-filled roller rink bangers. VOLK have shared bills with The Dead South, Charley Crockett, Electric Six, Supersuckers, Diarrhea Planet & more.

In their travels, VOLK connected with producer/sound engineer John Pedigo (Old 97’s, Joshua Ray Walker). They recorded “Stand the Test” at Modern Electric Sound Recorders in Dallas, and worked with him on the remixes and remasters that make up this EP. They’re currently in the process of completing their next full length album with Pedigo.

Stand the Test is a melancholy break-up song set against soothing indie rock hooks. Its hauntingly beautiful chorus gives you a feeling like you’ve known and loved this song your whole life. Lowe’s rich guitar compliments Christopher Tait’s (Electric Six) synth undertones and Matt Van (Electric Six) provides an infinitely danceable bassline. It has an ‘80s throwback vibe while being thoroughly modern, like it wouldn’t be out of place on a playlist with Cyndi Lauper and Sharon Van Etton.

VOLK is known for making the music they want with little regard for genre, historically landing in cow punk territory with heavy guitars, rock n’ roll drums with a flair for country and western. Their debut album Cashville moves from outlaw country and rockabilly swing, to dancey garage rock.

Their next album with Pedigo is nearly complete and will include Dick Valentine, Chris Tait & Matt Van (all of Electric Six), Joshua Flemming of the Vandoliers and Ray Wylie Hubbard. They’re constantly touring, so keep an eye out for them in a city near you. One thing’s for sure, VOLK wants to bring their brand of badass swagger to your town and they’re going to do it on their terms while showing us all how to have a good time.

Big Takeover Exclusive Quotes:

Eleot Reich:

“‘Stand the Test’ is the break-up song we all need right now; for your grief, your transformation, your perpetually evolving self. As the first single off our upcoming sophomore album, On the Other Hand, You Have Five Fingers, we wanted to lead with a song that is as danceable as it is emotive. Two of our favorite musicians, Christopher Tait and Matt Van from Electric Six, play synth and bass respectively on the track. While we don’t currently have plans to expand beyond our duo set-up live, we felt strongly that the record demanded other elements. This is a tune to crank and dance along to in your kitchen. It’s alright if you actually don’t stand the test. We are so much bigger than our results.”

Patrick Pierson (Director):

“You could say that the inspiration for this is a little bit Flash Gordan, Bill and Ted and the movie, Explorers. As it’s more of a ballad, I wanted to put the focus on the performance and the song itself with a few otherworldly elements thrown in to elevate that. Think of this as an intergalactic cantina floating through a colossal cosmos in the silence of space. Boldly going forever”

Matt Van (Bass):

“I wanted to record with with these two gems because 1. I love them as friends. Chris and I got instantly nerdy the first day of the Electric Six/Volk tour because of his pedalboard. Eleot is near perfection as a drummer. Play for the song, ya know. 2. This song is fucking great. If the song is great, everything will fall into place.

Sonically, I was going for an 80s thing. The golden years of solid state amps and amazing British bass players. New wave, man. I would have loved to get Mick Karn on it but I’m horrible at the fretless bass. So I went for Curt Smith vibe.”

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