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IF: Tell me about your project(s) and your label, Hexagon.
FV: Vampire Nation and Vampire Nation Gangstar Coven are my main projects at this time. ‘Vampire Nation’ refers to the pillaging of Egypt by the Romans, i.e.: sucking the life out of a nation. VNGC brings the VN concept into modern day America by addressing African-American issues and the plight of the common being. Hexagon Records is a record label based here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to release artists of a revolutionary nature, whether it be in politics, religion or artistry.
IF: So you pride yourself on diversity...but is there any particular style that defines Hexagon or Vampire Nation in particular? How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard you before?
FV: Yes the ‘Coven-Funk’ sound is definitive; it blends Urban music with Ambient, New Age, Classical, World Beat, Middle Eastern percussion, traditional African music and other combinations of Asian and South American sounds.
IF: How do you incorporate electronics into these styles...is it primary or secondary to you to do so?
FV: I wouldn’t consider anything I do secondary. The music itself is not the center piece, the concept behind the music, which is to break free of your shackles is the driving force and the reason I created VN. If there were no other instruments in the world except rocks I could still tell a story of the crimes of the past inflicted on minorities.
IF: Are you trying to educate about the past, or preach to the new age? Do you see a correlation between the present and the past?
FV: Educate and mirror life. Definitely not preach. Preaching would be something that didn’t happen or isn’t happening. The music simply mirrors what’s going on and goes to show what Black people can really do contrary to some people’s beliefs.
IF: So what other projects have you been involved in? Do they all have such a distinct political tone?
FV: A band called July...I sing and write the lyrics. I would say it’s political subconsciously. Perhaps a lot of the album covers centered around tragedies of the world, so I think Human rights was always on my mind. After all, I am a human. I don’t consider my beliefs to be political. We are talking about human rights basically...if the people can’t eat do you feed them or call it civil rights?
IF: Your sound is very different than any other style I’ve encountered. How do you feel VN will progress with such a radical sound and message?
FV: Coming into the new age I think finally people are ready for a change. When you look at the history of change in music there is always a period of stagnation with a radical shift in the climate, or there is a band that is totally different from what is going on...so if history continues along those lines, VN will break through.
IF: How do you feel about other bands such as Delerium and Dead Can Dance that also incorporate eclectic and diverse styles? Do you think they opened doors to a new sound?
FV: I don’t listen to those bands. When it comes to working on the VN concept, if anything I’m influenced by my religion which is based on ancient Egypt, not other music.
IF: Explain your religion...
FV: I’m a Thelemite that is on a path...when others may try to thwart that path, I consider those ordeals...and knowing that you will encounter them in life is half the battle of living your life.
IF: Were you raised with this philosophy, or did you find it yourself? What have been your influences besides religion?
FV: It found me. But revolution has always been in my blood since John Brown was my great-grandfather on my mothers side. Religion, truth, dignity, and revolution are my influences.
IF: Describe John Brown’s influence...
FV: John Brown was a slave revolutionary whose actions some historians attribute to the direct starting of the civil war. He was an abolitionist who wasn’t afraid to kill for the freedom of Blacks in America.
IF: Do you condone the same violence, and does this angst penetrate your music in any way?
FV: I condone violence against anyone who wants to use violence on us or does use it for that matter; not limited to government agencies. The music does have an edge. Being Black in America gives you a different outlook than you would have say if you were a Catholic School teacher or something.
IF: I may not be black, but life is no easier for me... Do you think that discrimination is as oppressive as the general fact that rich feed on the poor? Someone always loses for someone to win...
FV: I don’t know what it’s like for any other individuals other than my community. I can certainly imagine--or from reading--determine the differences but I don’t much care really. I’m more concerned with my own back yard, meaning the nation of youths that may have to deal with even worse conditions that are around now.
IF: Describe some of the sounds and ideas of other bands to come on Hexagon Records.
FV: A lot of the artists on Hexagon will be produced by myself. Yet there is a unique freshness to all of them; Nubian Rebel comes to mind. He’s a young talented rapper with radical ideas about changing the world. There will be a compilation on Hexagon called Double Down that will preview the new artists.
IF: What bands do you listen to currently? What styles of music do you listen to most often?
FV: I don’t listen to music much anymore. When I do it’s bands that are on Hexagon like Nubian Rebel, ?Elsewhere?, W.I.T.C.H. (Woman In This Century Humanized), etc..
IF: (Laughs) ...So basically you’ve disowned music that doesn’t directly involve your vision?
FV: I don’t have the time to listen to music anymore; I am working on my own projects and there are plenty of talented acts that I hear though just from being at a club or flicking through the TV, though I wouldn’t know the names of the bands.
IF: What is the next step in your evolution?
FV: The next logical step would be the book. I’m looking forward to putting it down in print, expressing all the ideas I have will be taking the VN concept to the next level.
IF: Book? What kind of content, fact, fiction?
FV: Fact and fiction...the forward appears in the debut album on St. Thomas Records. It deals with the lost island of Galius which is an Egyptian province and all that goes on in that world/time. It also reflects directly back to urban America and the similarities and difficulties the two cultures face in overcoming worldwide bigotry.
IF: I look forward to this, it has to be interesting... I know you’re a busy guy, so are there any last things you’d like to mention before you go?
FV: Yes I want to thank you and everyone else that is supporting the rise of Vampire Nation, The VNGC and Hexagon Records. Thanks for the interview. The ordeals thou shalt oversee thyself.
Visit Vampire Nation and Hexagon Records at:
http://www.vampire-nation.com
http://www.hexagonrecords.com
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