Get to Know the Pop-Rock Duo VOILÀ

Meet pop rock duo Luke Eisner & Gus Ross who have opened for musical artists like Kesha, X Ambassadors, and The Fray. The musical duo serves up some insight into their band and sneak peeks on their new album release Glass Half Empty (Part II) this November 22nd.

The musical pop-rock duo VOILÀ is a Los Angeles-based band that has gained recognition through their independent projects which propelled them further into the music scene. The two met about 10 years ago while attending college at USC Thorton School of Music where they bonded on their passion for music and began their journey as musical artists. One of their popular songs “Stand Tall” was featured in the Netflix film Tall Girl and gained immense recognition amongst the film’s viewers and fans of the soundtrack. AfterBuzz TV had the chance to ask the pop-rock duo a few questions in which the duo talked all things VOILÀ and you will not want to miss it!

For those who may not know your band, how would you describe it to new listeners?

Luke: VOILÀ is like a romantic choose-your-own-adventure novel. We have a lot of songs and you can go down the lovesick path or the sick of love path, it’s totally up to you!

Gus: Euphoric pump-up music with a healthy serving of impending tragedy.

If you could describe your music as a flavor, what would it be and why?

Luke: I hope it tastes like water- something you can’t really describe but you know you should have some every day to survive haha!

Gus: Bitter – the goal for us is for you to spit out your drink in pure joy

What was your journey like to form this band?

Luke: Growing up I wanted to be an author! I got really into Dr. Seuss-style rhyming storytelling. I got my love for performing when I was a wedding DJ in high school. When I met Gus, he was a producer who loved melody and I was a writer who DJ’d so the fit was natural. We started as EDM artists, but that evolved into being a band as time went on!

Gus: A lesson in how crucial it is to turn road bumps into inspiration through a positive perspective. The magical thing about being human is that we’re able to choose our experience.

How did you come up with the band name?

Luke: Growing up I always was in love with magic and magicians. Illusions were always my favorite type of performance art. I thought of “abracadabra” at first but “Voilà” felt better because its literal translation is “there you are”. I hope people hear our music and relate to it and say “There I am!”

Gus: Luke spearheaded that one. I changed names every month lol.

What’s the most “VOILÀ” thing that’s happened during a live performance?

Luke: Gus will probably mention the time I was bitten so I’ll pick a different memory haha! We’ve had a couple of people propose on stage to their now fiancés! That is a huge honor and I loved being a part of their special memory.

Gus: Luke got bitten by someone in the front row.

If you could only listen to one song on repeat for the rest of your lives, what would it be?

Luke: “Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith. I pretty much already do that haha!

Gus: “Doomed (live at the Royal Albert Hall)” – BMTH

We hear you have a new album coming. Could you tell us more about the project and what it means to you?

Luke: I really needed to write this album. As oxymoronic as it sounds, I was really overflowing with emptiness and I think it spilled out in the form of this album. Kind of like holding in a sneeze for so long, this one feels good to get out of my system.

Gus: Glass Half Empty is definitely open to interpretation but to me, our glass is full of the most complete-sounding records we’ve ever made. I think this record will bring energy to those who need it most. Fundamentally I love the thought that this collection of songs can be the reason that someone finds the strength that they’ve been searching for.

What’s your favorite part about being on tour? How has it been touring with Chrissy Costanza?

Luke: I get to do this with all my best friends. So much of our crew is made up of my dearest friends I grew up going to concerts with. So to be on the other side of it with them is a dream come true. Chrissy is also one of my best friends so to have the privilege of doing this with her adds to how much love this tour is wrapped in.

Gus: Getting to meet the magicians on the other side of the streaming landscape is truly inspiring. Chrissy is a pro. I’ve learned a lot throughout this co-headline tour and am grateful that we got to share these stages together. I also believe that her album VII will resonate with a lot of people and I’m excited that it will live on and continue to inspire long after we’re all somewhere else.

How do you stay inspired creatively, especially when you’re in between albums or projects?

Luke: I read a lot and fold the corners of pages that are phrased interestingly. I watch movies with subtitles on. I try to write things outside of music too like short stories or poems to see if anything can be transformed into a lyric!

Gus: I take time to download new software and make new instrumentals. I really love to produce for hours on end and just make new ideas that stir up a sense of euphoria.

What’s a song in your catalog that has a particularly special meaning for you, and what’s the story behind it?

Luke: “Conversations with the Dashboard” is a special song for me. I love romantic stories and we don’t have a ton of love songs, so when we do them I feel very fulfilled. I’ve spent the last 10 years stuck in LA traffic talking to the dashboard of my car about the love I’d hoped would find me in the end. There’s a line “It’s kind of romantic what happens to love when you stop trying to plan it”.

Gus: “Glass Half Empty” – this is the first moment in our career that I’ve felt completely in line with a song. I feel as though both Luke and I have a kind nature and that has been trampled all over at times during our journey to get here. This song is the moment that we get to unite with the people who matter (the magicians/listeners) and all the drama becomes background noise. Every moment of this record resonates with the journey that I’ve had. Getting to share that moment with people on stage every night has become one of my favorite things to do. Thanks for your time!

What an amazing interview! If you weren’t familiar with the origin of VOILÀ’s band name, we’re happy you know now! We’re so excited for the release of their upcoming album Glass Half Empty (Part II) on November 22nd, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy listening to it as much as we will!

AfterBuzz TV can’t wait to see what’s next in this musical duo’s journey so be sure to follow along the band’s socials and anywhere you listen to music. A big thank you to VOILÀ and their team!

Don’t forget to follow AfterBuzz TV for more amazing content!