Gothic tones: VOSH brings its darkwave sound to Launchpad

Darkwave. Brooding vampire. A blend of pop and goth.

These are all the words that Washington, D.C.-based band, VOSH, use to describe its unique sound, and that sound will be coming to Albuquerque, just in time for Halloween season.

The three-piece band led by vocalist Josephine Olivia are currently on the beginning leg of their five-week tour, ready to share their haunting sounds with fans.

Gothic tones: VOSH brings its darkwave sound to Launchpad

“We love spooky season,” Olivia said. “We always have a long U.S. tour around this time. I think we have like 10 Halloween shows on this tour. So I just love being able to go to each city and see how everyone kind of does their Halloween thing.”

Started by Olivia and guitarist Chris Moore, the band was originally created as a one woman show for Olivia in 2019. Eventually, more band members joined, making it what it is today.

The band’s name was coined by Olivia. At the time, VOSH had no meaning. The name was simply a feeling, something that Olivia thought just fit. Later, she learned VOSH had a meaning, just in a different language.

“We played a show in Boston and this Russian dude came up to me and was like, ‘Do you know what that word means?’ and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to get canceled,’ ” Olivia said. “And he told me the word meant parasite, like a vampire, which I thought was sick. The word ended up working out and I think it was meant to be.”

In previous years, VOSH released songs that were softer and don’t reflect its style today. The band is excited to get its new sound out and let people know who they are.

“I feel like you could put us into a darkwave, industrial, goth rock style,” Olivia said. “It kind of spans a lot of different genres that we fit in. I would sum it up as dark.”

On theme with the dark and edgy music, Olivia said many of the songs reflect classic punk rock themes.

“I think a lot of it comes from just like the feminine experience, and also just classic goth tones like heartbreak, love, longing and morbid curiosities,” she said. “I think at the root of all of it is love, and then it sort of stems out into these other channels.”

Santa Fe residents might recognize the gothic tones of VOSH. In previous years, the band has performed in the City Different and is excited to get another taste of the Land of Enchantment, especially Moore and Olivia, who are married and visited Santa Fe during a motorcycle ride.

“We had a big motorcycle ride and drove through there and it was amazing,” Olivia said. “It’s just something about the landscapes, the colors, and everyone I met was incredibly kind and inviting and the energy of the place, you could just feel as good,” she said.

Olivia said fans have been incredibly receptive to VOSH in the past and she’s excited to bring the energy back.

“Sometimes people get rowdy if they’re feeling it,” she said. “There’s headbanging, we’ve had mosh pits before. I do kind of more heavy vocals that shows the mix of everything and we’re insane people so we bring our own sub and PA system on top of the venue’s system so it’s loud and crazy. I like to describe it as a horny haunted house.”

The band programs their light systems and bring in fog machines to create a unique all-encompassing experience.

“Every show is going to sound and look different,” Olivia said. “So if you’ve seen us before, seeing us again is going to be a completely different experience. I think each time we’ve carved out a new niche and vibe to keep it interesting and exciting for everyone.”