“Who is Nervous Vulpis?” - the Noisy Cavern interview

Noisy Cavern caught up with Nervous Vulpis, the alternative rock quartet based out of Fountain Valley, California. The four piece outfit, comprised of members Alex Nobles, Eder Villagran, Kristen Michael, and Matt Kilgore, have a nostalgic sound that resembles the music once heard over the college radio airwaves of the 90's.

It is interesting to note that Nervous Vulpis is still in its infancy as a group, yet they have a demo EP with well structured songs akin to those produced by groups with years under their belts. The tracks showcase the direction the group is swiftly navigating toward. Nervous Vulpis appears to have the right chemistry, and it will be interesting to hear what a fully polished album can make of their sound. The potential and energy is there - whether they can harness it and guide it in the right direction to grow into something special is entirely up to them.

Enjoy the Q&A below.

NC: Name and location of band?

NV: Nervous Vulpis, based out of Fountain Valley

NC: How long have you guys been performing as an outfit?

NV: We met up in September, and started rehearsing in October

NC: How would you categorize your style, and where do you draw your influences from?

NV: We pull a lot of our band’s style from each individual’s various backgrounds. Some of us have been bands that have played metal, blues, classic rock, indie and all kinds of others.

Mainly, we’d categorize us as a modern rock sound that we do what we want with.

NC: Is the project currently at the stage you hoped it would be in, and if not what are the future aspirations?

NV: For how long we’ve been working together, we’re doing more than we thought we’d get done in this amount of time. As far as aspirations, we’re just always writing, and trying to grow to see how much we can do.

NC: List a memorable moment the band experienced this last year?

NV: It’s hard to narrow one specific thing, but we were really proud of when we pulled off hardcore tracking and mixing sessions to finish the demos of the songs for our EP. After lots of working until the early morning, getting to listen to the songs in succession was really satisfying.

NC: Do you believe social media has overtaken any other platform in terms of exposure for bands?

NV: Social media is a useful tool for bands wanting to communicate with their audience, and for getting in touch with others to work with, but once you listen to the songs or come to a show, it’s still important to make that human connection.

Where social media can help someone hear about a band, it’s an interaction with someone working a venue, sound, or your audience, that makes a lasting impression.

NC: Are you guys loyal to any brand lines?

NV: We’re ultimately loyal to what makes the sounds we want to hear. There are companies that make things we’d love to use, but can’t afford, though we don’t look to any specific brands.

NC: What are you currently playing on?

NV: Eastwood Airline with a Jekyll & Hyde distortion into a marshall cab (Alex, vocals/guitar)

Custom modded Stratocaster into a spaceship, running into a vintage Fender twin amp (Matt, lead guitar)

Sterling Ray 34 running into a Fender Rumble 150 with various pedals (Eder, bass)

DW kit & Zildjian cymbals (Kristen, drums)

NC: What projects are your currently working on?

NV: We’re playing shows regularly, and recording an EP in February. After that, we’re already planning shows for March onward.

NC: Is there a routine to the creative process?

NV: Not so much a routine, but we’ve found a way to make our songwriting consistent. For the most part, Alex writes up the skeleton, and then we flesh it out.

After our first practice, he disappeared, and we weren’t sure if the band was happening. About a week and a half later, we got a call for another rehearsal with more songs.

NC: Is there a venue you enjoy playing at?

NV: Backyard shows (Alex, vocals/guitar)

The Glass House (Kristen, drums)

The Doll Hut (Eder, bass)

Outdoor festival stages (Matt, guitar)

House of Blues is also a favorite of ours

NC: Can you describe how to get over stage fright?

NV: The quiet moments onstage can be scary, but once you start playing, it all goes away. Also, taking off your glasses doesn’t hurt. If you don’t wear prescription glasses, try sunglasses.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Soundcloud @NervousVulpis