Q & A with Ecca Vandal

Melbourne’s genre-defying and electrifying force in music, Ecca Vandal, today reveals the release date of her self-titled, debut album alongside her new single and official video ‘Future Heroine.’

Wielding a dark and primal industrial beat ‘Future Heroine’ is painted with Ecca’s incredible vocal dexterity, while harnessing her explosive energy and commanding aggression. “‘Future Heroine’ is about the death of a relationship,” says Vandal, “where addictions win and take priority over love, health and happiness. In the video, I play the role of the persistent voice in my lover’s head, from two very opposing perspectives.”

Ecca Vandal is touring her album nationally, and is stopping by Solbar to play there on November 17th with Midas.Gold, and locals Muules.  We were lucky enough to sneak in a Q & A with Ecca...

Hi Ecca! Firstly, nicely done with debut full length album. It’s been getting killer reviews. Did you expect such a reaction to this release?  

Thank you. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I just hoped that people would like it, but you never know with these things! I’m just stoked that it’s been received well.

The album’s a lot more diverse in sound than some may have expected…
When you first ‘burst’ on to the scene with ‘White Flag’, you had sort of early No Doubt meets Rage Against The Machine sound happening (which I thought I was refreshing and really fucking cool), but with the album, you’re stretching over a multitude of genres, and blending all together. Were you worried that fans were going to be a lost with all the different directions?

When I set out to write my album, I didn’t really have much planned out other than wanting it to accurately represent who I am, right now. In order for me to do that, it meant that I needed to incorporate all the tiny pieces that make me, me, musically speaking. I’ve been raised on a broad diet of music, anywhere from traditional South African and Sri Lankan music to Jazz, Punk Rock and Hip hop. So I’ve soaked up all of these styles along the way and this is what has come out. I guess I wasn’t worried that people would get lost, I just hoped that it would be accepted and embraced, and that people would be open and up for coming on that listening journey.

One of the tracks, ‘Price of Living’ features Dennis Lyxzén (he of the legendary Refused).  How did this collaboration come about?

Dennis has been a hero of mine ever since I discovered the amazing record by Refused, ‘The Shape of Punk to come’ - that was a groundbreaking album that crossed through many genres and I was very inspired by that band. I also think Dennis has an amazingly powerful political voice. Since Price of Living is about the humanitarian crisis regarding asylum seekers on Manus Island, I thought his voice would be perfect for it - and of course I wanted to work with one of my personal heroes. I thought it would be a long shot but we literally just sent him the track over email and asked him. He was totally up for it. I was blown away by how amazing it was for him to want to do it simply for community and art sake, rather than the main incentive being money or profile - there was hardly any talk of that actually, which is hugely refreshing.

Your national tour crams 10 dates three weeks, and right now you’re half-way through. How has the tour treated you so far?

It’s been incredible. These past few shows have been my favourite live shows, ever! The crowds have been awesome and they have had so much energy. I really feed off that! I’ve been blown away by the support, and to see them singing the words to the songs is everything. Can’t wait to take the tour to QLD this weekend!

You’re a staunch supporter of the DIY ethic when it comes to marketing your music (with the clips, artwork etc).  Do you think it’s something that musicians looking to break it into the industry should really adhere to?  By that, I mean, broaden their skills and have faith in their ability, rather than rely on a team of outsiders creating for them instead…

I don’t think every musician looking to release music must do it this way, it’s just want I’ve found works well for me. I do think it’s important to trust your own vision and know that if you want something done a particular way, sometimes you’re the best person for that job. If it means you need to learn a little more about a particular side of art (videos, artwork) or even on the business side, that’s great because in the long run, as you said, you’ll only broaden and strengthen your skills set. It’s only a positive thing!

Without sounding like an Insta-stalker (swear I’m not), but I find your Instagram profile interesting.  You’re one of the few musicians that effortlessly combines unique fashion/style and your music.  I’ve said for a long time that the relationship between fashion and music is an important one.  Would you agree?

Haha! Thank you - yeah I definitely think there is a relationship between fashion and musicl. Fashion is expressive, just like music is. Fashion also has a crazy way of changing moods with colours and shapes! Same with music. I really love experimenting in general, I think that’s why I love music and fashion so much. You can experient and play with both!

Thanks Ecca!  We’ll be seeing you on November 17th at Solbar with Midas.Gold, and Muules.

Tickets for Ecca Vandal's show at Solbar are available through oztix.com.au, and the debut full length album is available on iTunes, and streaming through Spotify and Soundcloud now.