Concert Review: Bogan Villa

By Alex McMann
Rap Music Journalist

A few weeks ago, I was able to see a local San Marcos artist, Bogan Villa, at Wake the Dead Coffee House. The show was set in a smaller room off to the side of the building, providing an interesting setting. Walking in felt like entering into the garage of an old friend’s for a house show full of music and memories to be made.

Throughout the night, the sense of community and love for both music and the band was evident. I spoke to two attendees who also happened to be musicians and close friends of the band. They talked about how artists will attend each other’s shows and even invite fellow musicians on tours. Both of these concert-goers went to the same high school, but had no interaction with each other until they met at a music festival, and began a beautiful friendship centered around the chase of good music around awesome people.

I also asked other attendees about their thoughts from the shows. Audience members talked about the enjoyment seen from the band, and the ability to turn missteps into happy mistakes. A fellow guitarist talked about how the front man for Bogan Villa led the band through seamless transitions between songs. In the interview, Will noted that he would rather “fill the time with music” than disrupt the flow with unnecessary commentary.

I was then able to sit down with this band for an interview.

How did Bogan Villa Start?

Brandon had been busking around San Marcos for a while and met Will during a show at Valentinos. Brandon then met the band at a party and there was an immediate connection. The band has been playing pretty much daily since then.

What separates Bogan Villa from other bands?

“We are not a typical radio band.” Bogan Villa prides itself on making music that separates it from the common pop or trap taking over the radio. The song length of Bogan villas is usually about six minutes and their recordings are done straight through with no breaks. Daily practice and band chemistry make this a possibility.

The band talked about classic rock bands that used to play everyday partly because that’s the only way they would have music at places like the beach, and wanting to copy that love for their craft.

What are your inspirations?

Will: Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Van Halen, Santana, Toad, Tomorrow Blue, Titus Groan, Sweet Smoke and Grannie.

Brandon: Black Sabbath, Jimmy Hendrix, Band of Gypsies, Cream, Jack Bruce and Tool.

Matt: Sting, Steve Gadd, Bonom, Gene Cruppo, Buddy Rich and James Brown. He talked about the idea that less is more with James Brown and how he used “silence as part of the beat.”

Which animal would represent your band?

Brandon: A grizzly bear (ferocious but cuddly).

Will: A black panther.

Matt: A galloping horse.

My favorite part of the show was one song that I felt summed up the atmosphere for this concert. Steady snare hits portrayed the anticipation of walking into this small back room, followed by the addition of the rest of the band to welcome everyone in, and then a final big band solo embodied the excitement of the crowd. If you enjoy blues rock with room for happy mistakes and classic guitar solos look out for their next show March 31 at Tantra with White Dog, Moon Dunes and Lysergic Light War.

Featured image courtesy of Bogan Villa via Facebook.