Weekly Journal
Violetta - Nervous Tendencies, the dark side of new wave
Violetta offers a night drive with "Nervous Tendencies"!
"Nervous Tendencies" is an energetic burst of new wave and synth-pop that captures the pulse of the 80s while injecting a fresh, modern twist. The track is driven by pulsating synths, punchy basslines, and a romantic danceable rhythm. Violetta's sound is both nostalgic and innovative, with clever synth layers and catchy melodies that glance to the pillar elements of synth pop. The lead vocals glide so good over the, well-structured, instrumentation, delivering lyrics that explore the tension and anxiety, with a certain cool coldness. "Nervous Tendencies" delivers an infectious energy, making it both radio-friendly and club-ready. Violetta manages to capture the essence of classic new wave while keeping the sound fresh and relevant for today's audience. depicting the band's own identity and offering a blend of retro style and modern line.
Violetta are Wyatt Oberholzer and Michael Walsh, former bandmates in the hardcore-punk groups Chemical Fix and Fixation, experienced a significant shift in their musical preferences over the years. Independently drawn to electronic music, it quickly became evident that they should collaborate to enhance their experimentation in this genre. Developing a mutual appreciation for electronic-based music, they moved away from the guitar-centric sounds of their musical origins. United by a shared passion, they smoothly transitioned from their punk roots to explore the enchanting realms of synthesized beats and melodies, crafting a cathartic assembly that beckons listeners to move.
Wyatt Oberholzer says about "Nervous Tendencies": "The song started as a 20-second loop that I came up with and brought to the band in that raw form. From there, we built upon that idea together in just one night. This was one of the first three songs we wrote for this project, and it didn’t feel right until months later, we decided to speed it up a touch. That led us to simplify the overall structure and completely re-track the vocals, at which point the song finally fell into place."
Musically, Violetta exudes captivating and inherent intensity. Each member shares songwriting duties across multiple instruments, drawing inspiration from various art forms such as films by Nicolas Winding Refn, Darren Aronofsky, Ari Aster — all visually rich. With beats reminiscent of EBM (Electronic Body Music, a term coined by Ralf Hütter of Kraftwerk but a genre popularized by Nitzer Ebb and Front 242) beneath synthpop melodies, a delicate balance between playfulness and subtle intrigue emerges. It’s also important to note that Peter Hook’s work in New Order is a major influence on each Violetta member. Lyrically, the subject matter covers existential explorations: death, anxiety, sexuality, and other notions exorcised from the profound depths of one's subconscious mind.
Their first single, called “Nervous Tendencies,” is out in March on eclectic Los Angeles label Dune Altar. Violetta breaks out with a captivating song that immerses listeners in the atmospheric world of a late-night drive, with a hypnotic beat and dancing melody. It vividly captures the feeling of urban tension, blending new-wave inspiration with a contemporary edge. It resonates universally, offering an emotional outlet for those seeking escape from modern pressures. Despite underlying tension, the song remains danceable, encouraging listeners to confront intrusive thoughts and find solace in a dark club setting.
Info:
https://www.instagram.com/violetta.fm
https://listenvioletta.bandcamp.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@violetta.fm
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2FK0NIgKTMun3tWA1dHZzb
