[Editor’s note: On Thursday, November 14, Los Angeles based band Nico Vega will release its latest EP titled Make It Out Alive. It’s the band’s first new release since 2018’s Wars EP and first featuring founding member Michael Peña, who had left early in the band’s existence in 2007 to focus on his acting career that includes films such as End Of Watch, Narcos: Mexico, Crash, and Ant-Man. In the meantime, the band released two full-length albums, the self-titled debut, Nico Vega in 2009 and Lead to Light in 2014, and the Fury Oh Fury EP in 2013. The band also features singer Aja Volkman, guitarist Rich Koehler, and drummer Dan Epand. Peña (who started playing drums and later switched to playing bass for the group) and Koehler were so impressed by Volkman’s singing during an open mic that they asked her to form a band with them, forming Nico Vega in 2005. The band plans to follow up the EP with an album. Below Volkman penned an exclusive essay for Scummy Water Tower about the power of singing.]
Throughout my life, I’ve had many conversations about whether anyone can learn to sing—and whether everyone should sing. It’s an interesting topic because the answer varies depending on whether you’re considering it from the listener’s or the singer’s perspective. I’ve known many people who can’t hold a tune, and it’s difficult to learn if you can’t recognize or differentiate notes. I don’t know the science behind that, but as a spiritual person, I have a specific perspective.
Throughout history, humans have gathered together to commune and celebrate with music. This isn’t unique to any one culture; it’s a thread woven through all cultures. I believe it’s one of the most natural parts of being human to express through rhythmic movement and sound. There was a time when such expressions weren’t reserved solely for performers—a time when rhythmic movement and sound were part of daily life for everyone. However, in the Western world, we’ve entered a cultural space where we keep ourselves quite buttoned up and reserved, leaving rhythmic movement and sound to a select few who carry the titles of artist, singer, musician, or performer.
We also frequently debate whether someone has “earned” that title, losing touch with just how important it is for everyone to express themselves in this way—unabashedly, simply for the sake of release. Just as we often only rage or cry behind closed doors, we hide these other cathartic forms of expression, sometimes even feeling too embarrassed to do them alone. I truly believe our healing lies in undoing cultural domestication, unclipping the harness, and allowing our emotions to flow in whatever form they need. What better way to do this than through music, with voice and movement?
It could be that the reason we’re afraid to express ourselves this way is because we’ve limited our avenues for communication. Imagine a world where we could release anger, sadness, desire, and all the emotions we’re hesitant to express through song and dance. It feels as though we’d be far more balanced. Perhaps releasing through our own body and voice is key to healing, leaving behind the question of whether it “sounds” or “looks” good.
Someone recently asked me if rock was dead. I’ve been asked this question many times. They suggested that the current vibe is more about easy listening and chill, positive tunes. My response was, “Do you think happiness is the only emotion?” I truly believe it takes all kinds of music to express all kinds of emotions, and I hope we can use music to express the full array of who we are—without judgment. It’s our birthright.
You can follow Nico Vega on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and listen to their music via their YouTube page. Make sure to check out Josh’s interview with Michael for the Chicago Sun-Times about the band from earlier this year.
Aja Volkman
Contributor
