A Dirty Dozen with THE VINDYS – August 2021

According to a recent press release: “The Vindys, one of the most sought-after bands in Northeast Ohio, blend alt-rock sounds that Cleveland Magazine says, “…reminds us of the Black Keys,” and “…make us want to dance, whether we’re in a grimy dive bar or a field in Lake County.”  Their new album, Bugs, will be out July 31; the title track “Bugs,” mixed by Ryan West (Rihanna, Eminem, Jay-Z), with its mesmerizing and throbbing beat will be released on July 30 across all platforms. The band is led by powerhouse singer / songwriter / guitarist, Jackie Popovec, who Music Connection says has “…a voice that exudes confidence and sex appeal,” her sound reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and Adele. The Canton Repository says Popovec, “…uncannily evokes Amy Winehouse on the more retro songs while going full-tilt rock ‘n’ roll on the harder, moodier numbers.”  WKBN-TV (CBS) calls the band “… one of the hottest acts in the area…The Vindys’ sound comes from Canfield’s Jackie Popovec — her voice is a blend of Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones.”  The Beaver County Times boasts “…Popovec will grab you immediately. She sounds sweet and sultry, vulnerable and persevering.”  Rounding out the band is John Anthony on guitar / harmony vocals, Ed Davis on drums / harmony vocals, Matt Jackson on bass, and Rick Deak on guitar / harmony vocals. All are classically trained musicians who combine their skills, Popovec as the lyricist, the band write the melodies, resulting in a depth and maturity in their music that is intricate, yet relatable.”  We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Ed: I think the album is unique because it’s stylistically diverse yet still sounds like the same group of people made the record. We all have a lot of different influences and I feel like the album is a great confluence of us all coming together.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

John: Growing up, my parents always had music on in the house and when we would drive in the car. My dad is a guitarist, so I was very aware of many of the “guitar heroes” from a young age along with a lot of different styles of music. The first live show I attended was Van Halen in 2004. I was just really getting into playing rock guitar when I went to that show. I think the instant that Eddie Van Halen ran on stage turned a switch that immediately made me realize I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.

Ed: I’m not sure how, but I was obsessed with the Beatles at an early age. Combine that with a drumming father and all I’ve wanted to do since was make music.

Jackie: I always tell people I grew up as a “Radio Kid.”  My parents played the radio a lot and always had VH1 music videos playing on TV.  I mostly listened to what was popular until I found Etta James and she turned my music world upside down.  I wanted to sing just like her.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Ed: Seeing Paul McCartney in concert at 8 years old left a lasting impression. Great band, diverse catalog, and the ability to command a stadium and genuinely make everyone in the room feel better because of what they were a part of.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Ed: I would love to work with David Byrne! His knowledge and use of world music would be a blast as a percussionist.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

John: These last two years I have found a knack for reading rock biographies and autobiographies.

Ed: Being a dad to my 2-year-old daughter!

Jackie: I love hiking and biking.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Ed: One comparison that gets the job done is “Amy Winehouse fronting Led Zeppelin.” Definitely influences we all pull from!

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Ed: We all do a bit of each! Jackie and Rick host the band a lot and always have great food and drink!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Jackie: I played it way too cool the one time I saw Norah Jones play in a tiny bar room with her band The Little Willies in Brooklyn.  I drove 6 hours just to see her play that night. I was outside when she came out looking for her car/driver and all I could muster up was a lame “Great set!”  I was obsessed with her growing up and she influenced me more than anyone probably, but “Great set” was all I got. Haha.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

John: The best part of being a musician is seeing the impact that a song you wrote and recorded had on a person. It’s amazing to see the connection that people have with a piece of your own art and how it correlates with their daily lives.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

John: I think the question we would love to talk more about would be gear. We love to talk about all things guitars and guitar pedals. Especially about EarthQuaker Devices which is a pedal company that we are sponsored by and are in our neighboring town of Akron, Ohio! I think the question we always get tired of answering is “where our band name came from.” It took us a long time to realize that not everyone was familiar with our hometown newspaper, The Vindicator.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Ed: I don’t regret going to music school, but it definitely isn’t necessary to be in a rock band. I certainly wouldn’t mind not having any student loans…

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

John: For me, it would have to be the recording sessions for the first Van Halen record. That record made such an impression on me as a guitarist when I was younger. To see those guys playing those songs and to watch them develop them while in the studio would be incredible.

Ed: Revolver – the combination of songwriting and studio innovation would have been insane to see in person!

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Category: Interviews