Exclusive Interview with 'ROXX REVOLT & THE VELVETS'

They have become a mainstay of the Florida music scene with their glamorously eclectic brand of power-driven rock ‘n’ roll. They made notable appearances at the Gasparilla Music Festival, Black Market Fest Miami, and as an opener for Puddle of Mudd and Local H after the release of their debut EP, “7,” in 2021. Reputable UK producer Chris Sheldon remixed their hit song “Supersonica Girl” for release. The band is currently getting ready to release a full-length album by the end of 2022 after releasing their brand-new EP, “UNO.” The members of Roxx Revolt and the Velvets are Chris Campo (drums), Dan Heath (bass), Jake Shockley (guitar), and Roxx Revolt (vocals, guitar) (drums).
On May 11, 2022, Florida-based rock group Roxx Revolt and the Velvets released their sophomore EP, “Uno,” following a month-long East Coast tour and well-received new singles. The album “Uno,” which includes three brand-new singles and two music videos, is a hedonistic celebration of the rock and roll way of life and a modern twist on the evocative sounds of classic rock. The EP’s songs each add something new to the diverse collection of rock music. On March 14, the first single, “Run For Cover,” was released to rousing acclaim in the neighborhood music scene. The song, a gritty headbanger, describes a power struggle between an abuser and their victim in which the victim seizes the initiative and resists injustice. In the upcoming weeks, a cinematic music video for “Run for Cover” with vampires, real-life concert footage, and more is expected to be released. The band’s second single, “Get High,” which has amassed over 100,000 Spotify streams alone, is accompanied by a joyous music video that depicts the band’s recent tour of the East Coast of the United States. We only have one chance to make our lives count, and this song lyrically confronts that fact. But the song encourages listeners to live life on their terms by unwinding, relishing, and embracing all the things that make our lives beautiful. It does this with the help of fresh, warm vocals and power-driven piano and guitar blends with a nostalgic 70s vibe.

The EP also includes “Carolina,” a storm-force rock song with storytelling that is as intense as the music itself: With the alluring Carolina, a night on the town and a lust for life turn into a whirlwind. The song “Carolina” transports listeners to the wild side of the rock n’ roll life with its hard-edged riffs and layered harmonies. Check out the EP ‘Uno’ and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you all come from and how it all got started?

Roxx: I come from Venezuela, moved to USA around 7 years ago, used to play music over there and started going to open mics here trying to find musicians for an original project and that’s how the band came to be.

Jake: Born and raised in Naples, FL. weird town for music, a lot of cover bands. Was in and out of original and cover bands throughout high school and past it, one of which Chris and I used to be in together. Eventually Roxx found me at a local open mic and asked me to join the band.

Dan: Grew up in Chicago area, moved to Florida and met Roxx through a cover band project. After that tan it’s course she asked if I wanted to do originals and I obliged.

Chris: Also born and raised in the hot n’ soupy town Naples, FL. I had small jam bands through high school but nothing really clicked. Jake texted before the end of high school and asked if I’d like to audition for the band.

2. Did you guys have any formal training or are you self-taught?

Roxx: i studied classical piano and music theory for a long time

Jake: took lessons for a month but eventually started teaching myself

Dan: self taught

Chris: Took one lesson when I was kid but other than that, self taught

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name?

Collectively: we all have different music taste so we cant mention one band in particular

Individually. Roxx: hole, t rex, guns and roses, the doors . The name Roxx Revolt is kind of self explanatory, main motive was me being bored of dead rock shows with lazy artist that did not inspire anything but sadness, i wanted to revolt against that lack of intensity in live rock shows/ music.

Jake: English Blues and Rock was the first thing that made me want to pick up a guitar. Cream, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rory Gallagher, Queen. Eventually found modern garage rock and punk .

Dan: pretty much all thrash metal

Chris: Dad got me started on thrash as a kid. Later got influenced by classic rock, hip hop, pop and jazz. John Bonham, Buddy Rich, Wu Tang, Kevin Parker

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

Roxx: it is raw, it is energetic, its honest and it is fun. Ill let the guys describe it

Dan: like roxx said, raw. Liberate yourself. That’s what we do.

Jake: exciting, electric, in your face

Chris: Raw, bombastic, authentic

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?
Roxx:
I started pretty young, didnt feel like emulating anybody but I loved to write melodies on the piano and thats how i started, i still write the same way ofc now i have way more knowledge but i try to keep that process as organic and simple as possible. Get an idea and translate it to the instruments and thats it.
Dan:
My first Aerosmith Cd made me want to play rock music. Then I found Metallica and tried to emulate them. But once you’re on stage, I feel like the real ME takes over, ME as in the 13 year old me.
Jake:
my mom showed me a lot of the bands i still love from a young age. Queen and Guns ‘n Roses were her favs. ever since hearing those bands and those songs, i knew i wanted to make music
Chris: As soon as my dad showed me a live Metallica show and school of rock, I knew i couldn’t do anything else. I grew up playing along to records and trying to emulate what i heard.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

Roxx: I feel like music can be anything but it is undoubtedly attached to the reality of the times so i dont necessarily push my music to talk about any particular narrative but it can definitely show some signs of the times we are living whether it is a protest or just making a reality visible through it, inspiration comes from many places one of those is the environment so i feel theres no way of avoiding its inffluence on the music

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

Roxx: is definitely giving some satisfaction but theres many goals to attain, one of those is playing big festivals for huge crowds.

Dan: The “now” is fun and real, but there’s always more to be desired. That’s why we press hard.

Jake: always moving forward trying to reach the next goal

Chris: We have a degree of fulfillment but we’re always trying to get to the next level. We want to feel satisfied with where we are at, but not comfortabl at the same time.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

Roxx: usually i get a melody idea wheter is vocal or instrumental, i just follow the ideas i have , could be just me or with the band

Dan: when there are 4 different personalities working together in a creative process, things happen man.

Jake: similar to Roxx, having a melody or a riff/idea and sketching it out on guitar first for the most part. and in a band setting, bouncing ideas off each other and letting it flow naturally

Chris: An idea usually starts with one person presenting it, or the whole band creating the idea together. Normally i’ll hear an idea in my head and just work out a demo.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

Roxx: being far away from my parents due to immigration laws

Dan: we once drank a bar out of whiskey

Jake: breaking my big toe on tour the day of the New York show

Chris: Finally finding a solid group of musicians after the short lived jam bands.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

Roxx: Recently we have been playing bigger and better shows we have been wanting to play for a while, that amongst the release of our music videos and eps is something we are proud of

Dan: when someone comes up after a show and the look in their eyes that we just tugged a heart string is pretty cool. I’m still that fan too so it’s fun to be on the artist side of it.

Jake: seeing and meeting all the people that we’ve somehow impacted is insane. the fact that we have started to become part of peoples lives and they seek us out when we have shows near their area is super rewarding.

Chris: The feeling of knowing people came out to see our show is indescribable, no matter the number. Playing in New York City was a very impactful show for me.