Nearly three years in the making, the debut disc from Milwaukee trio The Vitrolum Republic arrives quietly, but packs a punch.
The band -- comprising brothers Nick and Jordan Waraska and Chuck Lawton -- describes its music as "Gypsy noir," and while that slippery definition actually feels pretty accurate, it doesn't quite explain the subtle and supple mix of country, folk and other elements that create the band's organic, yet cosmopolitan, sound.
The self-released "For Highbrow Sideshows and Row Boat Serenades" was launched at a release party last month with great success and the The Vitrolum Republic continues to introduce audiences to the 14-song CD with gigs throughout southeastern Wisconsin and in Chicago.
The record, just out, has already gotten some great press, including lengthy feature on Wired.com.
See them at 7 p.m., March 5 at the Steaming Cup Cafe in Waukesha and 9 p.m., March 19 at Clear in the InterContinental Hotel Downtown.
We talked to Nick Waraska -- and Lawton chimed in, too -- about the band and its recorded debut.
OnMilwaukee.com: Tell us about how the band got together. Were you guys in other bands previously?
Chuck Lawton: I had played in previous bands around Milwaukee covering a variety of style, but none that had any staying power.
Nick Waraska: As brothers, we've grown up playing music together. Mostly classical. Eventually we developed complimentary interests in writing, performing, and musical influences. The two of us created a band called KSA in which we played for several years around Milwaukee before meeting Chuck and eventually creating the "sound culture" of our album and the band, "The Vitrolum Republic."
OMC: I hear it took more than two years to make the record.
NW: It took over two years to create the album, partly due to our uncompromising approach to recording. Having our own recording studio, care of Chuck originally, and later expanding in to Blend Studios halfway through the process meant that we could experiment more in the studio. This resulted in more complex arrangements with overdubbing than would have been possible in a traditional setting.
Also, we took time off as Chuck became a father again with the birth if his daughter. Balancing the needs of his family with the needs of our band and day job meant a lot of juggling and allowed us to take our time. Jordan and I also have creative endeavors in the visual arts that require a lot of attention. I am a partner at a video and animation company and Jordan is a professional sculptor.
OMC: What is "Gypsy noir"?
NW: We've been honored and humbled with media already quoting that we are "defining our own genre." Prior to and during these reactions we were calling our sound "Gypsy noir." Though we are not necessarily using any verbal descriptions to pin us down yet -- as there is much exploration to be done, musically -- we have found this phrase to sum up some things.
There are classical and eastern European influences used as a strong undertone, yet they are the darker and on the more thoughtful side, crossing into true folk music. Also eclectic, like a side show, where nothing might be considered to be related, yet all flows into one big idea and experience. So Gypsy noir sticks for now, we're excited to see where the development of our vernacular will go from here!
OMC: How did the record release party go? Was the record well-received?
NW: The album release was fantastic. We got some great press leading up to the event and were pleased with the turn out. The album has actually been available on iTunes and Bandcamp since November 2010, so there has been plenty of opportunity to pick up a copy in advance of the album release event.
The energy of the crowd and the feedback we've receive have all been extremely positive. When we made this album, it was kind of in a vacuum. We made music that we would respond to, but had no idea how it would be received. So earning "Album of the Week" status on the indie review site, QRO Magazine, is both exciting and humbling as coupled with the in-person feedback we've received, other people are responding to it as well and that's really why we're making music.
OMC: Are you expecting to spend nearly three years on the follow-up?
NW: We're not expecting to take another three years for a follow-up. Likely this summer we'll enter our studio again and begin to record new material. But this process has taught us a lot about what it takes for each of us to record.
With Chuck producing and engineering again, he's learned a lot about how we all work together and learned a lot about the process itself that I'm sure we can streamline our time in the studio. But we're also looking at remastering 'Highbrow Sideshows' to do a vinyl pressing and we will likely follow up that album with an EP or two as we explore new ideas.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
