Getting To Know... Voodoo Bloo

Following on from the release of his much-loved debut album 'JACOBUS' last year, New Zealand-based songwriter and musician Rory McDonald aka Voodoo Bloo is back to showcase one of the record's stand out offerings 'Ha Ha Ok Ok'.

Channeling a fast and ferocious attitude throughout, 'Ha Ha Ok Ok' marks one of the more anthemic entries on the artist's first full-length. Filled with blistering riffs, thunderous production, and some instantly recognisable vocals, expect to want to play this one again and again after first hearing it.

So with the new single doing the rounds right now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has inspired him most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

That would definitely have to be guitar, unless you count just singing, all the music that was played in the early years of my life was indie or punk, so it was kind of inescapable as to how my music taste would turn out from the start.

What was the first song that inspired you to make your own music?

This is hard to put my finger on, but I definitely remember that the newest artist I’d discovered before writing my first ever track was Mr. Bungle, so I guess I have to give it to “Quote Unquote”. Mr. Bungle was my first introduction into a more experimental side of music, and when I’m listening to projects in that vein, it always gets my creativity going.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

I still am a teenager, but I was massively into My Chemical Romance and Marilyn Manson, still super gutted I didn’t get to see My Chem come to New Zealand, but hey, at least when Covid’s in check they’ll be coming back!

What do you find is the best environment to find inspiration for your music?

The ONLY environment I can write in is my bedroom. I don’t think I’ve ever come up with ideas anywhere else but there, I have to be in a safe place when I’m writing purely so I can be open and honest with myself and let any judgement go.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

I recently discovered a band called Metz, who put out my favorite release of last year (Atlas Vending) which I haven’t been able to put down, as well as Shame, of which I’m super excited for their next project after hearing their single “Snow Day” which came out last month. As I said earlier I love to hear more experimental or fresh sides of music whenever I can, and these two projects sound super exciting to me and after what I considered to be a pretty lackluster 2020, it’s given me hope for what could come around this year.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

I’ve pretty much only written songs about people in my life, a lot of it does relate back to me, but often I find something in someone that I want to prod and delve deeper into, or at least understand deeper how I interpret that person and how they act, which actually helps me figure out who my true friends are sometimes and what I value the most in someone.

What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?

It’s way too long a story to completely explain here, but on the first tour I ever went on, or most importantly, the first three shows I ever played on tour, I played with human sh*t stains on my jeans and shoes. Just for the record, it was not my sh*t, or the sh*t of anyone I actually know. I’ll let you make up your own story as to how it got there.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

Oh you really had to do me dirty like this didn’t you? This is such a tough one to answer, but if I could ever play a show with the Arctic Monkeys, I think I would make that kid who idolised them so much proud.

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

I think I would’ve taken the path of myself, who in itself would’ve been someone else.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

Get used to being rejected, but never give up on what you want.

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Voodoo Bloo's new single 'Ha Ha Ok Ok' is available to stream and download now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.