Push to Fire: Alternative Music Webzine

Push to Fire Interview: Voltera
Australian contributor, Meghan Player, caught up with the band's vocalist Jess Koch at the end of 2008.

Describing themselves as 'relevant, dark and real', Voltera have proved themselves a force to be reckoned with - continuous touring, captivating live performances and their own signature sound has put them at the forefront of the metal scene in Australia. Although relatively unheard of outside the underground scene, Voltera have managed to create a solid fan-base, both within Australia and further abroad - with the band fortunate enough to play during the 2005-2006 Warped Tour throughout the US.
"We did 15 or so shows along the West Coast, and got to see parts of the US that most tourists don't travel to," tells singer Jess Koch, "[it was] extremely hot, hard and heavy, but very fun." Such an experience has left a positive effect on the band, with hopes to extend their touring back to the US in the future, as well as expanding to areas around the UK and Europe.
Though, despite catching the attention of Warped Tour organisers, the singer maintains the belief that, although there has been a rise in female vocalists fronting metal bands of a similar stature, there is little chance that the future of the metal genre could see a female dominated standing. "I don't think women in metal will ever sell as well as men," the singer reasons, "most record companies avoid signing women who growl. [However] I wish the general public were more open to gender-bending vocalists." However, this has not stopped the band from defying the conventional operatic female fronted bands, creating a sound that is best described as dark, industrial metal - all thanks to each members' eclectic contribution.

Voltera by Psychoballerina Photography

While they have named the likes of NIN, Marilyn Manson, Metallica and Sepultura as some of the definitive influences, it's the different styles the members listen to that drives their signature sound. "Our newer music has been drawn from many different places," the singer describes, "it's hard not to encompass an eclectic sound, but it always ends up dark."
Intriguingly, what lies beneath the bands melodic and enthralling surface, is a new generation of, not only musicians, but a group of people who are concerned with the issues in society and the surrounding earth - a theme that is also present in not just their sound and lyrics, but within the social activities of the band.
Fellow band members are all actively involved in organisations such as the Wilderness Society, Greenpeace, Planet Earth Artist and Earth Hour - with the singer explaining that she is also personally a member of the Church of Euthanasia. "This is where our motto 'Save the Earth, Kill Yourself' is derived from," Jess explains, "Our Volt-terrorists [the band's fans] are also somewhat actively involved in rallying against pro-lifers, and their crusade - which is actually against life, once you analyse the implications of their beliefs."
And with 2008 drawing to a close, it seems that next year will see Voltera further their standing in the underground scene, by kicking off the year with an East Coast tour of Australia, and then, sitting down to record their first, full-length album - an album that will allow the band to further their sound, their signature and their message."[And] about time I say!", the singer enthused.

Photo by Psychoballerina Photography (2008). Thanks to Jess for taking the time to speak to Meghan. Check out voltera.net and myspace.com/volteramusic for more info and tracks from the band.

Push to Fire Interview: Voltera Australian contributor, Meghan Player, caught up with the band's vocalist Jess Koch at the end of 2008.
Describing themselves as 'relevant, dark and real', Voltera have proved themselves a force to be reckoned with - continuous touring, captivating live performances and their own signature sound has put them at the forefront of the metal scene in Australia. Although relatively unheard of outside the underground scene, Voltera have managed to create a solid fan-base, both within Australia and further abroad - with the band fortunate enough to play during the 2005-2006 Warped Tour throughout the US. "We did 15 or so shows along the West Coast, and got to see parts of the US that most tourists don't travel to," tells singer Jess Koch, "[it was] extremely hot, hard and heavy, but very fun." Such an experience has left a positive effect on the band, with hopes to extend their touring back to the US in the future, as well as expanding to areas around the UK and Europe. Though, despite catching the attention of Warped Tour organisers, the singer maintains the belief that, although there has been a rise in female vocalists fronting metal bands of a similar stature, there is little chance that the future of the metal genre could see a female dominated standing. "I don't think women in metal will ever sell as well as men," the singer reasons, "most record companies avoid signing women who growl. [However] I wish the general public were more open to gender-bending vocalists." However, this has not stopped the band from defying the conventional operatic female fronted bands, creating a sound that is best described as dark, industrial metal - all thanks to each members' eclectic contribution.
While they have named the likes of NIN, Marilyn Manson, Metallica and Sepultura as some of the definitive influences, it's the different styles the members listen to that drives their signature sound. "Our newer music has been drawn from many different places," the singer describes, "it's hard not to encompass an eclectic sound, but it always ends up dark." Intriguingly, what lies beneath the bands melodic and enthralling surface, is a new generation of, not only musicians, but a group of people who are concerned with the issues in society and the surrounding earth - a theme that is also present in not just their sound and lyrics, but within the social activities of the band. Fellow band members are all actively involved in organisations such as the Wilderness Society, Greenpeace, Planet Earth Artist and Earth Hour - with the singer explaining that she is also personally a member of the Church of Euthanasia. "This is where our motto 'Save the Earth, Kill Yourself' is derived from," Jess explains, "Our Volt-terrorists [the band's fans] are also somewhat actively involved in rallying against pro-lifers, and their crusade - which is actually against life, once you analyse the implications of their beliefs." And with 2008 drawing to a close, it seems that next year will see Voltera further their standing in the underground scene, by kicking off the year with an East Coast tour of Australia, and then, sitting down to record their first, full-length album - an album that will allow the band to further their sound, their signature and their message."[And] about time I say!", the singer enthused.
Photo by Psychoballerina Photography (2008). Thanks to Jess for taking the time to speak to Meghan. Check out voltera.net and myspace.com/volteramusic for more info and tracks from the band.