Visc returns with title track of new album

SYNTH-rock artist Visc has returned from the wilderness with new track Hired Guns.

Dylan Fellows - the Athens, Georgia, musician behind the project - took a step back from Visc last November and put out what was going to be an album out as the seemingly final EP Seasons.

But he confirmed he was back working on the Hired Guns album in April and has delivered the title track.

He told RealSoundsOK: "I try to write about things besides love and anger and other boring emotions. I usually prefer to write about a character, but put a new spin on that character. 

"So for my next album I am writing about hired guns. But instead of writing about the realities of their job, I am writing about the problems that no one would really think about (and ones that probably don't exist). For instance, I have a song planned about being a hired gun who can't recognise faces, or a hired gun that has a fear of blood. 

"Like Original Rebels, I wanted to take an evil character (or a misunderstood character) and really get to know them.

"The title track is more of an anthem for this album, and is the only song that actually talks about what mercenaries actually do. I've begun to focus more on guitar and bass and have been experimenting with recording lots of harmonies. Kind of a new direction for me, while keeping the same simplistic synth-pop base."

You can listen to the track Hired Guns and for more info head to facebook.com/VivaVisc

New album from Visc

THE Original Rebels is the new album from experimental artist Visc.

Dylan Fellows - the mastermind behind the project - told RealSoundsOK about the evolution behind the new album.

He said: "It's is a monster-themed album. Each song is about a specific monster that scared me as a child, which is why I almost named the album 'Frightened Dylan'. 

"Coming from 'Virtual Friends', my wildly successful second album, I was really lost as to what kind of music to make. I wandered around genres for about a year, trying to figure out what kind of sound I wanted to make, and it was in about January of this year that I realized what was wrong. I was focused on the instrumentation of the album, instead of the theme of it. 

"Once I chose my theme, which was actually pretty easy, the instrumentation sort of fell into place."

The Original Rebels is much darker than its predecessor, but Dylan adds: "I think - and hope - that is still maintains the light-hearted 'it's all a joke' vibe, which I think is an important part in any song I write.

"I used much more guitars than on Virtual Friends and placed the synth work in the background, using it as more of an accent than a structure.

"I wrote and recorded everything by myself, but to add a little diversity in the background, I had a few friends, including my sister, come record some back-up. I always recommend having some friends stop by to add a bit to the track, even if it doesn't add a ton to the song. It's always a hilariously good time, and it really takes away some of the stresses of recording."

You can download The Original Rebels - along with Visc's other releases - at visc.bandcamp.com for 'Name Your Price'.

To find out a little more about Dylan, check out the Q&A he did with RealSoundsOK back in March.

Visc Q&A

Your name:

Dylan Fellows

Where are you from?
I am from Athens, Georgia, but grew up in Holland, Michigan, USA.

Name of band:
Visc. 

How would you describe yourself?

I am a 19-year-old who just likes to make music. I like to collaborate with people, and I have been told that if I had a normal metabolism, I would be a monster.   

If I were to describe Visc in one word, it would be eclectic-with-a-taste-of-grit. My tunes range from regular ol' alternative rock, to much more interesting electronic stuff, but I always try to keep a theme going, even if I'm not always successful.  

Who are your main influences musically?

Back in '05-'06 I got into Muse, which really propelled me into music. Since then I have also become a big fan of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Arctic Monkeys. However, my musical influences are not limited to modern music. I also like 60's music and Motown a lot. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

As far a musical goals go, I'd really like to make another symphony, and I'd also like to score a soundtrack for a film someday. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

I think my favorite part of my 'career' so far has been meeting Lars Iversen of The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. It wasn't exactly a career meeting, but I showed him my music, so I'm counting it. I've always modelled certain aspects of my production after his work, so it was really nice to actually meet the guy and find out that he is, in fact, a badass. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

You know, I don't think I have really had moments that I want to forget, other than some old songs that I can't believe I released. There's this one song (that's still actually on my front page) called 'Apollo'. I mixed it when I was just getting into mixing, so it's pretty much a giant wall of sound that just relentlessly pounds into your ears for 3 minutes and 20 seconds. I've been meaning to redo it, but it's just so boring to work on that one. 

If you could choose just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

I think if I were to choose just one song that most accurately represents Visc, it would be 'All the Little Things'. Not only is it my most popular song, but it's just weird and unique sounding. It's in 7/8, has harsh tones throughout, and is held together by a weird drum beat, and a vocal line with some slap-back reverb.

Where can we listen to it?

You can listen to it at http://soundcloud.com/visc/all-the-little-things

Where can we find out more about your music?

Well I can always be found on Facebook, but I've begun to use Twitter more, and I found that I like that a lot more. To listen to my featured songs, you can go to soundcloud. To download all of my released work for free, go to bandcamp. 

Facebook: facebook.com/Viscmusic

Twitter: @ViscMusic

Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/visc

Bandcamp: Visc.bandcamp.com

Anything else you’d like to say about your band that I forgot to ask?

Nothing more about me, but be sure to check out my buddy 'Known to be Lethal' at http://soundcloud.com/known-to-be-lethal