VOIR DIRE

WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/voirdireband
COUNTRY: South Africa STYLE: Metal

IN ORIGIN VOIR DIRE REFERS TO AN OATH TO TELL THE TRUTH AND EVERYBODY HAS BEEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THEY SHOULD TELL THE TRUTH OR LIE. SO WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SOMEONE IF THEY ASK YOU “DO I LOOK FAT IN THIS”?

Well, depends on whether the person looks fat…

YOU GUYS ARE ALMOST DONE WITH YOUR EP AND IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING IT MIXED AND MASTERED AND YOU ALSO SAY ON MYSPACE THAT YOU PLAN TO ADD TWO INSTRUMENTAL TRACKS TO THE EP. HOW MANY TRACKS WILL BE ON THE EP THEN WHEN IT’S DONE?

We will include 3 studio recording as well as 2 instrumental tracks. We are also looking to add 2 demo songs if we can clean them up nicely. The EP will also contain some enhanced content like our music video, wallpapers and some photos.

IN YOUR OPINION HOW HAVE YOU GUYS GROWN AS SONGWRITERS DURING THE RECORDING OF THE EP?

Some of the songs sound fine live or during practise, but when we hit the studio and put all of this together some bits then tend to clash a bit. This forces us to think on our feet and alter some of the parts in mid recording to get the desired sound and feel.

One of the songs that we recorded recently is very new and required us to get it tight in a very short time-span. But that’s how you keep growing as a band and as musicians.

DID YOU GO INTO THE STUDIO WITH “FULLY FINISHED” SONGS OR DID THE WRITING PROCESS CONTINUE WHILE RECORDING THE EP?

Although the songs were finished prior to the recording, we had to alter some minor things here and there like timing for the lyrics, etc. to make the songs flow a bit better.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN “DRIVING FORCES /FUEL” BEHIND YOUR LYRICS AND MUSIC?

To try and keep it short (which is difficult) – We have a deep routed passion to point people to Jesus Christ and to undo the distorted ideas people have regarding Him and the way of life He expects from us.

IS THE SONG “NOT AFRAID” BASICALLY AN EXAMPLE OF THE PRODUCTION STYLE USED FOR THE REST OF YOUR EP AND DO YOU SEE THE BAND’S MUSIC MOVING IN A MORE MELODIC OR HEAVIER DIRECTION IN THE FUTURE?

We recorded the 2 new songs at the same studio as “Not Afraid”, so the production should be pretty much the same. We experimented with some different guitar amps, so on that level you may notice a slight difference.

Regarding the direction of our music, it’s difficult to say which direction we’re heading since we start the writing process of each song without planning exactly what we want it to sound like; it just takes its own directions and at times ends up sounding heavier or more melodic…

We like to keep others and ourselves on our toes!

THE VIDEO FOR THE SONG “NOT AFRAID” DEBUTED ON MK ON THE 11TH OF MARCH. TELL US MORE ABOUT THE SONG AND THE CONCEPT FOR THE MUSIC VIDEO?

The foundation of the song is that as long as you have got Christ on your side, you can rest in knowing you don’t have to fear anything, not in this world, not in the next, since death is not the end. The concept of the video is Little Red Riding Hood (humans) being chased by wolves (fear). Charlene who symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the video guides Little Red Riding Hood to the lumberjack who symbolizes Christ, who then sorts them out.

HOW DID YOU GUYS GET THE DOUBLE BASE FOR THAT SONG TO SOUND SO DEEP AND THUNDEROUS?

That you will have to ask Dylan Ellis from Inner Flame Studios – he’s the master!

HOW MANY SONGS DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE IN YOUR SET LIST AND DOES PLAYING LIVE ON A REGULAR BASIS HELP YOU TO DECIDE WHAT SONGS TO KEEP AND WHAT SONGS TO WORK ON FURTHER BASED ON A CROWD’S REACTION?

At the moment we have eight songs that we rotate depending on the venue and the set length. Different crowds have different reactions, so it's difficult to use that as a measure of which songs to alter, etc. Usually as we write new songs and keep developing our style we will make some changes to older songs so that they will fit better into the set.

WHAT ASPECT OF A LIVE PERFORMANCE DO YOU GUYS ENJOY THE MOST AND HOW MUCH REHEARSAL TIME DO YOU PUT IN BEFORE A SHOW?

Seeing people enjoy our music or even just intently listening to the lyrics is a huge enjoyment. We try to practice for at least 3-5 hours per week, depending on our schedules.

WHAT EXCITES YOU AND ALSO SCARES YOU THE MOST ABOUT THE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE AT THE MOMENT?

The fact that the local music scene, especially the heavy side of it, is growing, getting more professional and serious is very exciting. The scary thing is that the competition is getting very tight to get into bigger events and gigs, but I think that is good since bands are forced to become a lot better and professional than what they would be alternatively.

IF YOU WERE THE LAST FOUR PEOPLE LEFT ON THE ISLAND; WHO WOULD GET VOTED OF FIRST?

RIAAN: Pick me! Pick me! (Lol)

ANY LAST COMMENTS / ADVICE OR PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK?

Thanks for the interview – also to the reader, thanks for taking some time out and reading all this.

If you are curious to see what’s going on in Voir Dire, be sure to check us out on http://www.myspace.com/voirdireband.

You can also find us on Facebook and get regular update on what’s happening in the band on there. Or just drop us an email at – voirdireband@gmail.com. Anyone is welcome to contact us.