Voxtrot

{{Short description|American band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Voxtrot | image = Voxtrot 2006.jpg | caption = Ramesh Srivastava and Jason Chronis performing with Voxtrot in Chicago, 2006 | image_size = 250px | background = group_or_band | origin = Austin, Texas, U.S. | alias = | years_active = 2003{{en dash}}2010;<ref name="Srivastava">{{Cite web| author=Srivastava, Ramesh | title=VOXTROT | url=http://www.voxtrot.net | access-date=April 21, 2010|work=Voxtrot official site|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501064513/http://www.voxtrot.net/|archive-date=May 1, 2010}}</ref> 2022{{en dash}}present<ref name=rowley/> | genre = {{hlist| Indie pop | indie rock}} | label = {{hlist|Cult Hero Records | Beggars Group }} | current_members = {{plainlist| * Ramesh Srivastava * Jason Chronis * Matt Simon * Mitch Calvert * Jared Van Fleet }} | website = [http://www.voxtrot.net/ www.voxtrot.net] }} '''Voxtrot''' is an American indie pop band formed in Austin, Texas, in 2003. Their first recordings were released in 2003, and their debut EP, ''Raised by Wolves'', was released in 2005 to critical acclaim, garnering attention from music bloggers as well as major publications such as ''Pitchfork'' and ''Spin''.<ref name=pf>{{cite web|work=Pitchfork|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11861-raised-by-wolves-ep-mothers-sisters-daughters-wives-ep/|title=Raised By Wolves EP|author=Howe, Brian|date=March 28, 2006|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref><ref name=amg>{{cite web|work=AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/raised-by-wolves-mw0000768079|title=Raised By Wolves EP - Voxtrot|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> The band gained popularity online during the rise of the early online music blogosphere, particularly among MP3 blogs, leading them to be regarded as a defining act of the blog rock era.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2023-01-04 |title=The Warm Glow of the Blog-Rock Era |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-warm-glow-of-the-blog-rock-era |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104111149/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-warm-glow-of-the-blog-rock-era |archive-date=2023-01-04 |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=The New Yorker |language=en-US}}</ref>

The band released two additional EPs in 2006, ''Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives'', and ''Your Biggest Fan'', before releasing their debut self-titled album in 2007. After releasing their first album, the group continued to perform live and released several singles before announcing their impending disbandment in April 2010. The band performed a short tour of the United States leading up to their dissolution, ending in New York City on June 26, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|work=Stereogum|url=http://stereogum.com/349551/voxtrot-break-up/mp3s/|title=Voxtrot Break Up|access-date=April 25, 2018|date=April 21, 2010}}</ref>

On May 6, 2022, the group announced they were embarking on a reunion tour through the latter part of the year.<ref name=rowley>{{cite web|work=Yahoo!|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/voxtrot-announce-reunion-tour-archival-154442581.html|date=May 6, 2022|access-date=May 6, 2022|title=Voxtrot Announce Reunion Tour and New Archival Releases|last=Rowley|first=Glenn}}</ref>

==History== ===Early work; ''Voxtrot''=== Voxtrot was formed in Austin, Texas by singer-songwriter and Texas native Ramesh Srivastava<ref name=nirali>{{cite web|work=Nirali Magazine|archive-date=January 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110161535/https://niralimagazine.com/2006/10/music-thats-not-a-myspace-blog/|url=https://niralimagazine.com/2006/10/music-thats-not-a-myspace-blog/|date=October 2006|access-date=April 25, 2018|title=Music That's Not a Myspace Blog}}</ref> in the early 2000s. Srivastava had previously studied at the University of Glasgow before dropping out of the Berklee College of Music and returning to Texas.<ref name=lat/> Early incarnations of the group included Jennifer Moore and Brandon Eastes, but by 2005 when the band's self-released debut, a five-song EP entitled ''Raised by Wolves'', was released the lineup had been solidified to include Srivastava, Jason Chronis, Matt Simon, Mitch Calvert, and Jared van Fleet.

After the release of ''Raised by Wolves'' in July 2005, the band began touring nationally<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.voxtrot.net/history/|work=Voxtrot Official Site|title=VOXTROT: history|access-date=April 25, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and received accolades from various online and print publications such as ''Spin'' and ''Pitchfork''.<ref name=pf/><ref name=miami>{{cite web|work=Miami New Times|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/the-crash-of-crush-6334237|title=The Crash of Crush: Austin's Voxtrot Makes Mopery Magical|last=Hood|first=John|date=June 21, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2018}} {{free access}}</ref> ''Spin'' noted that ''Raised by Wolves'' was "...a stunning mini-collection of John Hughes-heyday paeans, twitchy pop, and surging, Strokes-y dancefloor fillers."<ref>{{Cite web| title=Voxtrot: Artist of the Day | work=Spin | date=December 5, 2005 | url=http://www.spin.com/features/band_of_the_day/2005/12/051214_voxtrot/ | access-date=September 27, 2006}}</ref> A second five-song EP, ''Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives'', arrived in stores on April 4, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|work=iTunes|publisher=Apple Music|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/mothers-sisters-daughters-wives/203330001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427184104/https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/mothers-sisters-daughters-wives/203330001|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2018|title=Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives by Voxtrot|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> The three-song EP ''Your Biggest Fan'' followed on November 17 of the same year.<ref>{{cite web|work=AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/your-biggest-fan-mw0000444810|title=Your Biggest Fan - Voxtrot|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Voxtrot 215 (871582132).jpg |thumb|right|upright=.9|Voxtrot performing at Coney Island, New York, 2007]] On October 26, 2006, the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that the group was entering the studio to record their debut album.<ref name=lat>{{cite web|work=Los Angeles Times|title=Buzz Bands|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-26-wk-bands26-story.html|author1=Wappler, Margaret|author2=Brown, August|date=October 26, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref> Initially, the group had sought Stephen Street, who had previously worked with The Smiths and Blur, to produce the album, but Street was unable to due to scheduling conflicts.<ref name=lat/> The band's first full-length self-titled debut album was released on May 22, 2007, by Beggars Group.<ref name=exc>{{cite web|work=Exclaim!|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/voxtrot-voxtrot|title=Voxtrot - ''Voxtrot''|date=May 22, 2007|access-date=April 21, 2018|author=Rajagopalan, Pras}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/voxtrot-voxtrot-2496240740.html|work=PopMatters|title=Voxtrot: ''Voxtrot''|access-date=April 28, 2018|author=Heaton, Dave|date=May 22, 2007}}</ref> The album peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.<ref name=charts/> Eric Harvey of ''Pitchfork'' awarded the album a 5.9 out of 10 rating, writing: "''Voxtrot'' shows a young band eagerly trying to have it all: attempting to establish a mature musical identity while aiming for a wide audience. Voxtrot may very well have a great pop record within them, yet their first effort stumbles from the band's enthusiastic, ambitious attempt to produce it immediately."<ref>{{cite web|work=Pitchfork|author=Harvey, Eric|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10249-voxtrot/|date=May 24, 2007|title=Voxtrot - ''Voxtrot''|access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref> The album's first single, "Blood Red Blood", was released as a 7" limited to 1,000 copies June 4, 2007, by Playlouder Recordings.<ref>{{cite web|work=Amazon|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Red-7-VINYL/dp/B000PITY1I/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1524877576&sr=1-6&refinements=p_32%3AVoxtrot|title=Voxtrot - Blood Red Blood [7" VINYL]|access-date=April 28, 2018|asin= B000PITY1I}}</ref> To promote the album, the band toured with Au Revoir Simone and Favourite Sons in the summer of 2007.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403085200/http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/interviews/byt-interview-voxtrot/|archive-date=April 3, 2012|url-status=dead|url=http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/interviews/byt-interview-voxtrot/|work=Brightest Young Things|title=BYT Interview: Voxtrot|date=June 12, 2007|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref>

===Later singles and dissolution=== In March 2009, Voxtrot released the single "Trepanation Party", which received significant airplay on the Sirius/XM's influential Sirius XMU channel. The track was recorded and mixed with Jim Eno of the band Spoon.<ref name="Trepanation Party">{{Cite web| title=New Voxtrot – "Trepanation Party" | work=Stereogum | date=March 16, 2009 | url=http://stereogum.com/58911/new_voxtrot_trepanation_party/mp3s/ | access-date=September 25, 2011}}</ref> The sound of "Trepanation Party" is a significant departure from their indie sound, towards a more synth-pop feel.<ref name="Trepanation Party" />

Voxtrot released a limited edition 7" single "Berlin, Without Return..." on August 3, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Voxtrot: Berlin, Without Return... |date=July 23, 2009 |publisher=Pitchfork.com |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/36010-new-release-voxtrot-berlin-without-return/ |access-date=August 26, 2009}}</ref> The single contained the song "The Dream Lives of Ordinary People" as a B-side and was initially released in a limited pressing of 400 copies.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Voxtrot Shop | url=http://www.voxtrot.net/shop.htm | access-date=August 3, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621040902/http://www.voxtrot.net/shop.htm | archive-date=June 21, 2011 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The single was self-released by the band's own Cult Hero Records.

On April 21, 2010, lead singer Srivastava announced on the band's website that they would be breaking up following a short tour, entitled the 'Goodbye, Cruel World..." tour, which consisted of a total of seven dates.<ref name="Srivastava"/><ref>{{Cite web| author=Breihan, Tom | title=Voxtrot Call It Quits | work=Pitchfork |access-date=April 23, 2018 | url=http://pitchfork.com/news/38565-voxtrot-call-it-quits/ | date=April 21, 2010}}</ref> In the letter addressed to fans, Srivastava noted that "The career path of Voxtrot was truly one of long, simmering build, explosion, and almost instantaneous decay. Slowly, I am learning to replace any feelings of regret with positive memories of how amazing the whole thing was, and how it has, in an unexpected way, fortified my character."<ref name=Srivastava/> The band performed their last show on June 26, 2010{{em dash}}incidentally Srivastava's 27th birthday{{em dash}}at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/06/25/voxtrot-plays-last-show-singer-ramesh-srivastava-looks-back/|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=Voxtrot Singer Ramesh Srivastava Looks Back Before Last Show|author=''Wall Street Journal'' Staff|access-date=January 10, 2017|date=June 25, 2010}} {{closed access}}</ref>

Lead singer Srivastava released his first solo album, ''The King'', in 2014 after releasing several tracks and an EP.<ref>{{cite web|work=Pitchfork|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19044-ramesh-the-king/|title=Ramesh: The King|date=February 25, 2014|author=Howe, Brian|access-date=April 26, 2018}}</ref>

===2022 Reunion=== On May 6, 2022, the group announced they were embarking on a reunion tour through the latter part of the year, along with the release of archival recordings.<ref name=rowley/> Srivastava discussed the upcoming reunion with Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian on the Talkhouse podcast.<ref>{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.talkhouse.com/stuart-murdoch-belle-and-sebastian-talks-with-ramesh-srivastava-voxtrot-on-the-talkhouse-podcast/ | publisher=Talkhouse | date=June 23, 2022 | title=Stuart Murdoch (Belle and Sebastian) with Ramesh Srivastava (Voxtrot)}}</ref>

===2023 Reformation=== On April 17, 2023, it was announced on Voxtrot's Instagram account that the band had started writing and demoing new material.<ref>{{Cite instagram |user=voxtrot_atx |postid=CrJguB6JwFZ|date=17 April 2023 |title= Last week was a big one at Voxtrot HQ!}}</ref>

On September 5, 2023, Voxtrot announced via their Instagram that "Another Fire", their first new single in fourteen years, would be released on September 22, 2023.<ref>{{Cite instagram |user=voxtrot_atx |postid=Cw0IYIqu3bX|date=5 September 2023 |title= On September 22nd we will release ANOTHER FIRE...}}</ref>

On October 25, 2023, Voxtrot announced via their Instagram that yet another single, "New World Romance", would be released on November 10, 2023.<ref>{{Cite instagram |user=voxtrot_atx |postid=Cy3cQpQuudU|date=25 October 2023 |title= NEW WORLD ROMANCE will be released November 10th...}}</ref>

==Discography== === Albums === * ''Voxtrot'' (2007) Playlouderecordings / The Beggars Group<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2007-05-18/475814/|work=Austin Chronicle|title=The New Rage: Voxtrot finally spins a long-player|date=May 18, 2007|access-date=April 26, 2018|author=Stevens, Darcie}}</ref> * ''Early Music'' (2022), a remastered release of the band's first two EPs Cult Hero Records<ref name="Deville, Chris">{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2185952/voxtrot-announce-reunion-tour/news/|work=Stereogum|title=Voxtrot Announce Reunion Tour|date=May 6, 2022|access-date=September 28, 2022|author=Deville, Chris}}</ref> * ''Cut from the Stone: Rarities & B-Sides'' (2022) Cult Hero Records<ref name="Deville, Chris"/> * ''Dreamers In Exile'' (2026) Cult Hero Records

=== EPs === * ''Raised by Wolves'' (2005, Cult Hero Records) * ''Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives'' (2006, Cult Hero Records) * ''Your Biggest Fan'' (2006, Beggars Group/Playlouderecordings)

===US singles=== * ''The Start of Something'' 7" b/w "Dirty Version" (2004) Cult Hero Records / The Bus Stop Label * ''Raised by Wolves'' 7" b/w "They Never Mean What They Say" (2005) Magic Marker Records * ''Trepanation Party'' digital single (2009) Cult Hero Records * ''Berlin, Without Return...'' 7" b/w "The Dream Lives Of Ordinary People" (2009) Cult Hero Records

=== UK/Europe singles === * ''Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives'' 7" b/w "Rise Up in the Dirt" (2006) Full Time Hobby Records * ''Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives'' EP & 2x7" (2006) Re-Issue / Beggars Group/Playlouderecordings * ''Trouble'' 7" (limited to 1000 copies) and digital single, from the ''Your Biggest Fan'' EP (2007) Beggars Group/Playlouderecordings * ''Blood Red Blood'' 7" (limited to 1000 copies) and digital single, from ''Voxtrot'' (2007) Beggars Group/Playlouderecordings * ''Firecracker'' 7" (limited to 1000 copies), CD and digital single, from ''Voxtrot'' (2007) No. 19 UK Indie Beggars Group/Playlouderecordings

=== Compilations === * "The Start of Something" featured on ''Bang Crash Boom'', Little Teddy Recordings, 2005 (Germany) * "Warmest Part of the Winter" featured on ''Little Darla Has a Treat for You, vol. 24'' · Darla Records, 2006 (US) * "The Start of Something" featured on ''The Kids at the Club'', How Does It Feel To Be Loved, 2006 (UK) * "The Start of Something" featured on the feature film ''The Ex'' 2007 (US) * "Whiskey & Water" featured on ''P.E.A.C.E.'', Buffet Libre/Amnesty International, 2010 (Spain)

=== Digital singles === * ''Another Fire'' (2023) Cult Hero Records * ''New World Romance'' (2023) Cult Hero Records * ''My Peace'' (2024) Cult Hero Records * ''They Never Mean What They Say'' - originally released as ''Raised By Wolves'' 7" b-side (2024) Cult Hero Records * ''Esprit de Cœur'' (2024) Cult Hero Records

=== Videos === * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqf81S939-0 Esprit de Cœur] (2024) on YouTube.com * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wkxSoRQT0Y Another Fire] (2023) on YouTube.com * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVrSXeRXSWE The Start of Something] (2022) on YouTube.com * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ZBGxyNXQ4 Firecracker] (2007) on YouTube.com * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL4yGtj6N5w Steven] (2007) on YouTube.com

==Chart positions== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Chart ! Work ! Peak position ! class=unsortable| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | Billboard Independent Albums || ''Voxtrot'' (2007) || align=center|42 || align=center|<ref name=charts>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/voxtrot|title=Voxtrot: Chart history|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> |- |Billboard Heatseekers |''Voxtrot'' (2007)|| align=center|14 |align=center|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 9, 2007 |title=Billboard Heatseekers |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-06-09.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=81}}</ref> |- |Hot Singles Sales |''Your Biggest Fan'' (2006)|| align=center|4 |align=center|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 25, 2006 |title=Billboard Hot Singles Sales |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2006/BB-2006-11-25.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=58}}</ref> |}

==Members== *Ramesh Srivastava{{spaced en dash}}vocals, rhythm guitar {{small|(2003–Present)}} *Mitch Calvert{{spaced en dash}}lead guitar {{small|(2003–Present)}} *Jason Chronis{{spaced en dash}}bass {{small|(2003–Present)}} *Jared van Fleet{{spaced en dash}}keyboards, guitar, strings {{small|(2003–Present)}} *Matt Simon{{spaced en dash}}drums {{small|(2003–Present)}}

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|Voxtrot}} * [http://www.voxtrot.net/ Official site] * [http://www.facebook.com/voxtrot Official Facebook page] * [http://thevoxtrotkid.blogspot.com The Voxtrot Kid], Srivastava's personal blog dating from 2005 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070707045221/http://reaching4lasers.com/ ''Voxtrot'' (2010) LP] promotional site * [https://web.archive.org/web/20140218235320/http://soundcrank.com/Interview.aspx?interviewid=1018 Podcast interview] with Soundcrank, June 11, 2006 {{small|([https://web.archive.org/web/20071024195126/http://soundcrank.com/files/podcasts/voxtrot_podcast.mp3 Archived .mp3 file])}} * [http://www.scheduletwo.com/video/index.php?vid=10 Live footage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211184917/http://www.scheduletwo.com/video/index.php?vid=10 |date=February 11, 2012 }}, Minneapolis, February 27, 2006

Category:Musical groups established in 2003 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2010 Category:Indie rock musical groups from Texas Category:Musical groups from Austin, Texas Category:2003 establishments in Texas Category:Darla Records artists