Valentin Marx is an indie rock band based out of Brooklyn, NY.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
- Andrew Kissel (Vocals, Guitar, & Keys)
- Travis Pinkston (Bass)
- Brian Yurachek (Drums, Percussion)
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Valentin Marx. How long has the band been around?
(Andy) I was in a band out of Lawrence Kansas called the Volunteers from 2004-2009. From 2009-2012 I have been working on iterations of this group, which was first called Milk Toast. It had a totally different line-up. I was also in a couple of bands in NYC from 2009-2014, most notably Into the Sun and a local musician named Todd Baker.
(Travis) I’ve been in a lot of different bands over the years, as everyone needs a bass player lol. I was with the ska/punk band Bulletproof Marshmallows from 2001-2003, and then the funk band St Adonis from 2006-2010. Andy and I began playing together when I moved to NYC in 2012. We’ve been friends since we were kids so it came right together, and Brian’s addition to the group rounded it out.
(Brian) I have a consistently played with a Brooklyn based indie pop rock group called Gillian for the past 6 years. Other than that, I've been playing music with friends since 1997. See below for a band timeline:
Gillian: 2013-Present
Valentin Marx: 2014-Present
Wasabi (Wedding Band): 2010-2011
The Winter Squash Band: 2002-2003
The Red Limit: 1998-1999
Plug 23: 1998-1999
Phly: 1997-1998
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
(Andy) I was putting together a new band to play some songs that I was writing back in 2012. My brother Nate actually came up with the band name. As the story goes, he was having twins and was researching my family genealogy, looking for possible names for his little ones. Valentin and Marx Kissel were some of the first immigrants from Germany to the US with my last name. He said off the cuff that Valentin Marx would make a great band name, and I ran with it.
(Travis) It’s two names from Andy’s family lineage. He can tell you more.
(Brian) That's Andy's bag. I'll let him answer that.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
(Andy) Most of the lyrics are personal stuff; just kinda wrestling with the day to day shit we all go through. The biggest challenge for me is to create fictional narratives so my songs aren't just journal entries. I've always tried to make music that people could inhabit themselves, not just hear my thoughts or opinions.
(Travis) Well, Andy writes the songs and the lyrics are always very personal in nature. I think the songs’ subject matters may evolve and adapt a bit over time but will always retain the same core of just trying to get through life and make sense of it the best we can. He’ll bring us a song and I’ll put my two cents in; add some of my groove and feel to it.
(Brian) Andy writes the songs. I'm just the drummer...
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
(Andy) I can get musical kicks from literally any type of music. As far as current listening, I've been listening to a lot of David Bowie and Animal Collective. I'm not sure how much that informs what I write, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for artists who continued to push the boundaries of music throughout their careers.
(Travis) I can and do get inspiration from all musical styles. As far as bands I’m currently listening to I’d say Fleet Foxes, Esperanza Spalding, The Internet, and Deerhunter are all on heavy rotation to name a few. I’m not sure how much their sound immediately transfers to the music I make, but they still feed into my drive and passion to create.
(Brian) I think we all listen to different things and that makes for a bit of a musical melting pot when we get together and share ideas. If I had to pinpoint a few bands/artists that are currently inspiring my creative process it'd be Broken Social Scene, Rubblebucket, Nate Smith, Childish Gambino, Fela Kuti and The War on Drugs.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
(Andy) My first major musical influence was my brother Nate. He was and still is a MASSIVE Smashing Pumpkins fan. I started as a drummer in his band playing Pumpkins covers, and I have been playing music ever since.
(Travis) I really don’t know. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the inspiration started, but I remember being a little infant hearing “Money For Nothing” my parents’ record player and going crazy. I was a product of the 90s grunge/punk movement so it was always there in the back of my mind. I was pretty wired and had a beat in my head so when I finally did get an instrument it was par for the course.
(Brian) I was very much a drumming product of the 90's alternative/grunge era. There was no particular band that inspired me to start bands because it just seemed like the next logical step after spending hours alone in the basement playing by myself. One day a guy who plays guitar asks you if you want to jam. Then another friend learns an instrument to join you and before you know it, you're in a band and you have to think up a terrible name.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
(Andy) Interesting question. Back when the band was first starting, things were basically wide open for me in terms of standard rock drug/booze clichés. These days I focus mostly on trying to connect with the environment of the gig. One of my favorite things to do is just really focus in on the other bands that are performing. It really gets you excited to play when you can see other great artists connecting with the audience in real time.
(Travis) Not really. I just stay relaxed and centered. Maybe a quick stretch to loosen up before game time. I used to drink a lot in the old days but now I go easy on that. I take the time to get to know my venue’s environment and spend time with the other bands. I also love watching their sets.
(Brian) For the first 20 years, basically everything you shouldn't do to your body in preparation of a strenuous, skilled 'performance.' The past few years - getting to bed early, hydrating, stretching, massaging, taking vitamins, consuming enough salt and potassium, not drinking too much...etc.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
(Andy) I'm really excited about the music we are making right now. The chemistry I have with the other guys and the scope of the new songs I'm writing have me really jazzed about what is coming.
(Travis) The new release has brought this wave of energy to the band that keeps me excited. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
(Brian) I'd have to say I'm very excited about the new release. I'm proud of the work everyone did on this track and I know there are many great things to come with Valentin Marx. So stay tuned for the highlights!
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
(Andy) It's a tough question to answer, but I guess with where we are at right now, it would be really cool to tour with some old fashioned road dogs. I would love to open up for a band that has been touring for years and continues to crush the show every night.
(Travis) I don’t have any specific names at the moment, but would love to tour with some bands that have been around for years and still continue to give it their all every night.
(Brian) I don't know if I can really answer that because it's such a personal thing to go on the road with another band. There are lots of personalities and it's hard to know whether you'd be compatible just by hearing someone's music. You really need to spend time with another band to get to know if there is that type of fit. So, yeah, I can't really answer that.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
(Andy) Rock Chalk
(Travis) F*ing Catalina wine mixer!!!!
(Brian) Knibb High football rules!