Interview with Voyager

«It’s always the loudest voices you hear, not the most numerous»

Australian progressive metal artists Voyager have been around since 1999. But this year they were especially brightened by their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their single "Promise" managed to reach the 9th place in the final of the contest and get extensive rotation. Also in 2023 the band decided to please fans with a new, eighth full-length album. And just recently released and fresh "quite dark", as it is described by the musicians themselves, the video for the song "Ultraviolet". The band's drummer Ash was kind enough to answer some of our questions about the new record "Fearless in Love", their Eurovision journey and the Australian scene.

Hello, I’m Ash. I play drums!

When I think of rock bands from Australia, the only thing that quickly comes to my mind is AC/DC. By the way, my dad was a fan and it was one of the very first bands I heard. Have you ever had any thoughts of doing a couple of covers of songs by these famous Australians?

Ash: We used to always chuck a little medley of songs from home and pop culture and everything else into our live sets back in the day. A few bars of “Highway from Hell” or “Thunderstruck” would occasionally find their way in.

I think people didn't know much about Australian music at all. Mostly everyone knows some American or German bands. How is the Australian music/scene different from the rest of the world for you?

Ash: I always think of the Australian scene as very eclectic and dedicated. We don’t seem to worry as much about the idea of “genre” here; if something sounds good, chuck it into the song!

If Wikipedia doesn't lie, the band has been around since 1999. A lot has changed in the music in that time. Some styles and tricks have become "fashionable", cool and popular, some have ceased to exist. In your opinion, what was the best time for progressive metal and for heavy music in general? And what band do you regret the end of your career the most?

Ash: Maybe not the most compelling answer, but I think that time is now! In addition to other stalwarts like Cog, Karnivool and Butterfly Effect paving the way throughout the 00’s and 10’s (and still going today), you have a super vibrant scene full of amazing players and bands getting out into the world and showcasing that awesome Aussie Prog sound! I Built the Sky, Caligula’s Horse, The Stranger, Future Static, Sleepmakeswaves, Hemina, Plini, Circles, The Omnific… I could go on.

I miss Twelve Foot Ninja. I loved how groovy and fun their music is and they were great blokes to tour with.

You've been doing a lot of interviews lately. What is the stupidest question journalists have asked you?

Ash: I’d never say I’d had any stupid questions… but I did get asked a lot if I was excited to play the Eurovision stage. I mean, how can I not answer “yes” to that question? :D

This year you are representing Australia at the ESC. This seems to be your second attempt, doesn't it? How does it feel to be a non-pop band at a fairly commercial competition? Do you feel that the cultural and commercial boundaries in society are shifting and more people are willing to accept heavy or unusual music?

Ash: I suppose there’s never been an easier time to hear so much diverse music from all over the world as there is now, and that can only have an influence on all songwriters and artists, commercial or not. Kind of going back to what I said before, if something sounds good, you should listen to it or write it into your songs! I think as well, metal is such a diverse and rich category of music… there’s so much to like about it that even if you’re not into heavier music I still think you’ll find songs or parts of songs from “metal” bands that you’ll enjoy.

If you didn't qualify for this year's contest, would you apply next year?

Ash: That a hard one… we weren’t entirely sure we were going to apply for this one. The song made us do it! I supposed if we missed out, but happened to come up with another three-minute banger, we might have considered it.

The slogan of this year's ESC is "United by music". However, on the Internet there are a lot of hater comments on literally every post with bands and singers. So does music unite or is it just another topic for arguments, gossip and hate speech for most people? And how did the metal community feel about your participation in such a commercial contest as the ESC? 

Ash: Like a lot of things, it’s always the loudest voices you hear, not the most numerous. The people leaving negative comments are the outliers (and are generally almost always just online). Everyone we’ve met, talked to, worked with have been nothing short of welcoming, encouraging, and just plain awesome!

I did expect a little blowback from the metal community if I’m honest, but we didn’t really get it. I think everyone can see that heavy music is just made for that massive Eurovision stage!

There's a rumor that you're going to release a new album this year. Should fans expect any unusual collaborations, style changes or crazy designs?

Ash: I wouldn’t call it too unusual, but the amazing Sean Harmanis from Make Them Suffer joined us on a new track called “Ultraviolet”, and I supposed we haven’t had vocals as dirty as that on a Voyager record for some time… it goes hard!

I think anyone who listened to our previous album Colours in the Sun can expect to hear a progression of that sound – but the songs are tighter, a bit more polished, and yet, somehow darker and/or more emotive that what we’ve done before. In some ways it might be one of the most intimate records we’ve made.

From time to time in music circles a philosophical question arises: which is more important cool lyrics or proper, technical music? Do you have an answer to this question? Is it the technicality or the emotional aspect that's paramount for you?

Ash: I’m not sure I’d say either… I think the song is most important. As a musician, is what I’m doing serving the song in the best way? Am I crafting this tune to be the best it can be. It’s maybe a weird thing to think about, but a lot of the time it feels like the song is there, waiting to be unearthed, and as a band you are discovering that song, unearthing it, bringing it to life. You can feel what the song wants to be, and sometimes it takes a while to figure that out! Sometimes adding technical, proggy stuff does that, sometimes it’s leaning into a fat, juicy groove. Sometimes it’s shutting up and letting they lyrics carry that part of the song. But yeah, I always come back to leaning on whatever serves the song best.

The main question is: Who is the "daddy" of the band and whose voice is decisive in all disputes, commercial and creative matters?

Ash: We try to be fairly democratic and go with what most of us want, but we’re all usually on the same page. If there are any creative differences we generally try all options, listen back, and make the call from there. In a five-piece band, you can always have a majority vote 😉

Usually metal and rock musicians get into some scandalous stories, hate religion, get hype on sex topic in videos and interviews... you seem like a nice, unproblematic and positive guys and girls.... I couldn't even find any scandals related to you... Very interesting, how is that possible? Maybe you have some song about hate and anger or about religion that I don't know about?

Ash: I think it’s because we’re all about the music and having a good time! We want everyone to have a blast at our live shows, and we want to enjoy ourselves on stage. And we’re all about our music! All the kind of stuff that causes scandals distracts from the music.. who has time for that?

You live in Australia and you have a lot of different unusual things there. Have you ever had any ideas to record a couple of songs with some national motifs or instruments?

Ash: We have sampled Crocodile Dundee in our live version of Colours, and I wouldn’t be opposed to chucking a Lagerphone (A generally homemade percussion instrument consisting of crown cap beer bottle tops loosely nailed to a pole (often a broom handle) and a board mounted cross-ways on the pole (the head of the broom), and played by striking the pole on the ground or with a stick, by drawing the serrated stick across the pole, or by shaking the instrument) on future tracks!

From which band or singer would you like to hear a cover of your song?

Ash: Ohhhh… I always thought The Presets could do a banging dance cover of some of our songs. And we covered their track This Boy’s in Love, so really they owe us now.

The most unusual experience you've had with music?

Ash: Very early in my music career I was thrown into a green wheelie-bin after a show. I’m not sure if it was a compliment or criticism.

Have you had any thoughts of moving away from Australia for a better development of your musical career?

Ash: The cost of getting to a lot of the bigger touring markets from Australia is a difficult pill to swallow sometimes, but Australia is a wonderful place to live and we still manage to make it work. We’re getting a bit older now and have some pretty deep roots here that it would be hard to dig out. But sometimes I think about it… it would definitely be a wild ride!

And, please, tell us the secret of how to withstand the nervous tension, stress and lack of sleep while touring and interacting with so many people and remain polite and positive? 

Ash: All you need to do is be in a band with four of your best friends and play music you love. If you have that, anything negative really doesn’t make a dent in how rewarding and fun the process of touring is. I also think Voyager fans are just incredible, wonderful people and it’s a pleasure to meet them all around the world. (it also helps if, like me, you really don’t need much sleep)

And a few words for our readers and your fans...

Ash: Thank you everyone for all of your support and kind words and messages and everything! Can’t wait to get to a city near you soon and perform! Check out our new album, Fearless in Love, out July 14th… it’s an absolute banger!! Thank youuuuuu - Ash

Jenet Bonishi