Music Q&A with Bob Vielma of Fuss
Photo courtesy of Fuss
Today is a great day for Indie punk rock band, Fuss, as they have released their debut album, We're Not Alone! We're Not Alone was recorded and produced by Jeff Rosenstock and is available digitally and on vinyl via Phat 'n' Phunky and on cassette via Lost Sound Tapes! To celebrate, Fuss will be playing a record release show tomorrow, January 15th at Permanent House Records in Los Angeles! Fuss’ vocalist and bassist, Bob Vielma, recently took some time to answer questions about the album, the best advice a musician has given him, his favorite thing about making music, and more!
Congratulations on the release of We're Not Alone! What does the album mean to you?
Most of the songs on the album were written during a period of personal struggle, starting over after a big move to LA, with the backdrop of societal decay looming large in the background. Yet through it all, I’ve found love and support from my friends, family, and the greater punk community, which gives me a glimmer of hope that people are ultimately good and maybe we’ll make it through this all okay. We’re Not Alone is a document of all that for me. Getting to bring these songs to life with my bandmates Chase and Nick has been a real joy.
What is your favorite song off We're Not Alone?
I’m really proud of “But It’s A Dry Heat”. The chord progression and melody came to me after watching a youtube video about J-Pop songwriting tropes, and the lyrics are maybe the realest on the whole record. It’s a bit of an homage to Arizona, cacti, and all my fellow mixed people who exist with their feet in different worlds.
The album cover artwork is awesome! What is it based on?
The cover artwork was drawn by my old friend William Gibbons, who plays in a cool band called Kara’s Walk Home. The art was inspired by the beautiful, hilly landscape of LA’s greater east side, the art of Rumiko Takahashi, and a party where everyone was wearing denim jackets (referenced in the song “Western Wear”).
What is your favorite album of all time?
This question is kind of a nightmare for me, because 10 different albums immediately come to mind as contenders. A safe answer would be 24 Hour Revenge Therapy by Jawbreaker, bay legends and dudes who were making music smarter, realer, and catchier than almost everyone. Another album in the same vein for me is Leatherface’s Mush, but if I’m being completely honest, I probably love Miracle Diving by Judy & Mary more than anything. Sentimental, punky J-Pop that really swerved my musical tastes away from bro punk when I was 16.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
When he first started teaching me about home recording, my older brother wildly encouraged me to perform with more energy, as if “you’re kicking down the door to some WASP’s house, and they’re just sitting there watching Ted Koppel, and you’re like ‘WHAT?!’”
What is your favorite thing about making music?
Every aspect of making music is enjoyable to me, from daydreaming up melodies, to fine tuning the mix of a recording, and even to playing a dive bar show to 25 people, but my favorite part is easily the ritual of regular band practice. It’s nice having a set time once or twice a week where you know you’ll be able to make some noise and chill with your friends.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
Staying productive, perpetual motion. If I have a project of some sort in the works, creatively, in the garden, in the kitchen, whatever it may be, it keeps me from drowning into my couch cushions and feeling like a lethargic blob.
When my mind is really wandering, and the weight of our dystopia starts to get to me, I try to remember that people throughout history (most of whom had it harder than me) have always found ways to be happy and even to thrive. As important as it is to pay attention to everything that’s going on, there’s a certain type of myopia where people focus only on the big picture, and forget to spend time in their own bubble. I try to enjoy my bubble as much as possible!
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
I hope you enjoy our album about friendship, identity, and aliens! Here’s to another year of growth for all of us!