At the start of 2020, musician Andy McGurk was ready for a change.
Having spent the better part of the past decade working on a variety of different projects, including hollowtechnic and as of late BlackHawkDown, McGurk felt it was time to work on an experimental new project. Something that stood out from his past works and also allowed for a new form of creative expression. Thus creating Vulgarithm- a genre bending collection of music that does not stick to any one formula or rule book.
But after planning out a year of releases and potential live events, Vulgarithm’s plans for exposure were put on the back burner as the COVID-19 pandemic put the music world on lockdown.
Choosing to instead spend this newfound time at home honing in on his craft and goals for Vulgarithm, McGurk has spent the last year recording and releasing a plethora of new music- avidly expanding the band’s reach and preparing for the return to live music.
We had the chance to chat with McGurk about the formation of Vulgarithm, how he is holding up in 2021, and what he hopes to come out of the new year. You can read our full interview below, and be sure to stream Vulgarithm’s latest EP, Share If You Disagree, out now.
Second Society Report: How are you holding up during this insane year that is 2020? Hopefully your friends and families are staying safe and healthy!
Andy McGurk: I have been mainly looking at my laptop as I teach guitar to a variety of different students, privately and from schools. Thankfully that has kept from going mad with boredom. Also starting this new musical venture has also given me some fresh excitement for the next year.
Second Society Report: Did you have any big releases or tours that were put on hold because of the pandemic? How has that affected the band? (could be personally, financially, morale wise, etc.)
Andy McGurk: As Vulgarithm was born a mere month or so before lockdown, I have not been able to perform live AT ALL. Thankfully though, releasing 2 EPs and putting on some online shows has helped me get my name out there. When I eventually get to perform live for the first time, some people may actually know the songs beforehand.
Second Society Report: How have you been spending your newfound “downtime” while the world has been essentially shut down?
Andy McGurk: Building my Vulgarithm brand essentially. Writing music, making videos, designing merch etc. Besides that it’s probably the same as everyone else. Binge watching netflix, walks, gaming and attempting house and garden work.
Second Society Report: Have you picked up any new hobbies while quarantining that you’d like to share?
Andy McGurk: If by hobbies you mean creating online quizzes for friends and getting drunk with them, then yes. If not, then no. Ha! Although I did redecorate my teaching room which now has better acoustics for recording.
Second Society Report: Have you worked on any new releases during this time? Any that are already out or that we can get a sneak peak of?
Andy McGurk: I have released a large amount of music, including the 2 EPs Share If You Agree and Share If You Disagree, both available via my bandcamp page and all streaming services. I have also released a number of covers of club classics, including prodigy, chemical brothers, fatboy slim, faithless etc on my youtube channel. This is something I’d like to do live, start off with my own music and then finish late into the evening with club classics in a Vulgarithm style that keep people partying.
Not only that but work has gone underway for my final EP in the trilogy “Share in the 3rd Degree,” but there is no release date for that yet.
Second Society Report: If already out- what was the inspiration for the release? Have you written any songs specifically about the state of the world right now?
Andy McGurk: Some songs are mainly nonsensical, such as “I’m a rapper”, “The Vulgar Rhythm” and from the first EP “Sex Riff”. Some songs have a political satirical edge pre-lockdown such as “Fake”, “One Character Left” and “I cannot take this country seriously”. However one song was written during the pandemic and that was “2nd wave rave”. Sometimes a spark hits you when you’ve been struggling for melody and inspiration over an instrumental, and then lyrics just start flowing like a waterfall.
Second Society Report: How has it been being an artist in a time when you cannot tour? How have you been working to promote your music and expand your reach?
Andy McGurk: I’ve never really been suave at social media, and don’t post for the sake of posting, so getting attention has been difficult when my music has all the interesting points. All I can do in this busy online musical world is keep reminding people that I am different to anything else you have ever heard before.
Second Society Report: Do you have any words of advice for fans that are feeling particularly bummed out about the live music world coming to a halt?
Andy McGurk:Now is more important than ever to buy merch and physical copies of music from your local artists. The new up and coming artist had already been struggling in this instant access world we live in, but touring gave them security and a living. Now that has gone, it’s up to us as fans of music to help each other out.
Second Society Report: When the world returns to a safer spot and we are able to (hopefully) attend live shows again- say in 2021- what do you hope to achieve?
Andy McGurk: An Actual live show! The aim for Vulgarithm LIVE is to be a very visual show with projections, costumes and lights. Something totally different from the generic toilet circuit band experience. I wanted to stand out from the crowd, and once the new vaccines get rolled out, by the time summer comes, maybe people will get to see it.
Second Society Report: Is there anything you wish your fans would know about you or about the current state of the music world?
Andy McGurk: Music on the surface has lost a lot of its soul due to the fast food entertainment society that we live in. There is a lot of music out there which is an acquired taste, but they deserve a much longer time to fully appreciate what these artists are doing. We are stuck in a world where the playlist is supreme, and people can choose to listen to whatever they want for almost no money. So to be new, you have to have a hook! All the time!
What I’m trying to say is, have patience with songs and albums, don’t dismiss something outright because you aren’t enjoying it to the max after 30 seconds. In the current climate “Bohemian Rhapsody” would never be heard, let alone a hit.
Basically, listen to my music all the way through, both EPs. Got it? Good 🙂 then go buy stuff off me!
You can listen to Vulgarithm’s latest release Share If You Disagree, out now wherever you stream music.
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