Visqueen Interview: SXSW 2010

Visqueen's third release, "Message To Garcia," was recently named one of The Top Releases of 2009 by National Public Radio's All Music Considered. It was also featured in Paste Magazine's 2009 Best Of What's Next. Founded by former Halfacat musicians Rachel Flotard and Ben Hooker along with Kim Warnick of the legendary Seattle band Fastbacks, Visqueen released albums in both 2003 and 2004 before going on hiatus so that Flotard could spend time with her ailing father. In addition to her work with Visqueen, Flotard has recently been doing backing vocals for Neko Case. Spinner recently spoke with lead singer Flotard about Visqueen and their upcoming shows at this year's SXSW.

How did you come up with the name of the band?

Well, I didn't. Kim Warnick did. I was coming up with some really stupid names and Kim said, "What about Visqueen?", and we didn't immediately cringe. Nobody's skin fell off and then it was Visqueen. Also, it has the word queen in it and she's a huge Queen fan, and it was apparently a word from her childhood that struck a chord. So, I have to thank Kim for that one.

Speaking of Kim what has become of her?

I talk to her all the time. She is fantastic and marvelous and still the funniest person in Seattle. She is happily retired from music. She's working for a record label right now.Is there any chance the two of you will ever work together again?

If I want to work with Kim again I have to carry all of her gear, so no.

How did the band form?

Ben Hooker is my best buddy and long-time drummer of over 12 years now. He and I were in a band together called Halfacat based out of Bremerton, WA where he was living at the time. After that band broke up, a friend of mine and I were driving and I said, "I don't know where I'm going to find a bass player -- I need someone awesome and radical" and we pulled up to a stop light and this semi-demolished Toyota pulls up next to me practically stalling and it was Kim Warnick. I didn't know her at the time, but my friend did and they waved. After that, I said to my friend, "what about that girl, she looks scary and fun?" After that I dropped off a demo tape, literally a cassette, at her work and we got together and the rest is history.

What are your musical influences?

My first one would be Stevie Wonder. The first musical piece I was ever given was a 45 of Signed, Sealed, Delivered. I played it on a little green record player. Really early Elton John is another. The 1970s really had a thing with me. I remember riding in my dad's Gran Torino and hearing Dream Weaver by Gary Wright and I didn't understand how that was coming out of the speakers. I was mystified and marveled at the harmony. As I got older, living in New Jersey, I heard a lot of hair metal and rap, and the Beastie Boys, and hip hop... and it continues. I bought Pet Sounds 10 years ago and I love The Everly Brothers and being introduced to things I can't believe exist. I take the Statue of Liberty approach. I'll take it all.

Describe your sound in your own words.

That's a hard one. I don't want to say Metal Ronstadt. I see people's names flash in my head when I think about what I want my music to sound like. I see Robin Zander's voice when I think about what I hope it sounds like. I have a rock band I sing over and I want that voice to ride along with the guitars rather than compete with them. I also love Aretha Franklin's voice -- anything with soul and pain and happiness. In the end, I think my sound is a byproduct of whatever happens to me.

There are going to be the inevitable comparisons to Liz Phair, Juliana Hatfield, and Belly.

Oh totally. I bought that Belly record, the one with Feed the Tree on it. I couldn't tell you what Juliana Hatfield sounds like, but I think someone somewhere wrote that I sounded like her. I love Liz Phair. She's a talented broad and her songwriting is killer. It's hard not to be compared to other women. Girls who play guitar can sound like each other. It's really hard to have "that special voice" and I don't know where I fall in that category, but I think my voice just sounds like me and I'm happy I sound like me.

You've played SXSW before. What's in your festival survival kit?

Ear plugs and a bandana for my eyes. I have to elephant tranquilizer dart myself to go to sleep. My mind just does not shut off so I have to sensory deprive myself. There is sensory overload there. That place is Mardis Gras for skinny jeans, but I am ready to go back.

You already have your own label, so what do you hope to accomplish at SXSW?

I want to play fantastic shows. I want to come to the rodeo. It's not a business thing so much whether it's a label or an agent. I'm not looking for someone to lift me out of something, because I think I'm doing better than a lot of bands on major labels... I'm already being championed and picked up by people I know and respect.

What is your biggest vice?

Carbs. I am a bread whore and it sucks, because literally if eat a sandwich it pops out on my ass later in the afternoon. I love food.

How did you and Neko Case hook up?

I opened up a show for The New Pornographers about a decade ago -- back when Visqueen first started. Neko knew Kim Warnick and Kim introduced us and it was like Kermit and Miss Piggy running to each other in a field.


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