Interview with Velcara: Finding Strength in Rebirth, Groove, and Vulnerability
In a heavy music landscape that continues to blur genre lines and redefine what “heavy” really means, Velcara are carving out a space that feels both emotionally raw and sonically forward-thinking. Built on groove-driven aggression, melodic tension, and deeply personal expression, the band isn’t interested in chasing trends—they’re focused on building something human, immersive, and lasting.
Formed through shared vision and creative alignment, Velcara’s music balances crushing low-end, atmospheric textures, and emotionally charged vocals in a way that feels intentional without being over-polished. With influences ranging from modern metal staples to nu-metal groove and cinematic emotion, the band embraces contrast—soft and heavy, precise and loose, vulnerable and powerful.
We spoke with Janel (vocals), Nick (guitar), Kenj (bass), and Luka (drums) about the band’s origins, songwriting process, creative philosophy, and where they hope Velcara will be five years from now.
1. How did Velcara come together, and what was the original vision for the band compared to the vision you have now?
Janel:
Nick and I met through mutual friends at a couple parties. We started talking about what we wanted to do for our next step in our music careers and we both were on the same page of wanting to start something new. We shared what visions we had and they aligned with one another’s.
We both wanted melodic melodies, aggressive flowing grooves, and heavy—but not in the traditional “heavy” kind of sound. That’s when the demo process began, and as we kept writing, the more the vision shaped itself with the music that was being written. That’s what you see and hear today.
2. Where did the name Velcara come from, and what does it represent to you now?
Kenj:
Velcara is everything, and Velcara is nothing. Velcara is you, Velcara is me. It is everything around us—we see it, we breathe it, we hear it. The music is just what it sounds like. At least that’s my explanation.
Janel:
Velcara’s meaning differs between us all. I like to see it as a name for a second chance—almost a renewal kind of term. It doesn’t have a direct meaning, but to me Velcara is a word of strength and rebirth, and I hope listeners feel those emotions when they hear our songs.
3. Walk us through your songwriting process — where does a Velcara song usually begin?
Nick:
I don’t necessarily have a set formula. Sometimes it’s a riff, a synth, or a sample—once I have something to latch onto, I build around it. Early on, I was definitely overthinking what we wanted to sound like.
Now, I’ve learned that the best ideas usually come from just writing what I enjoy listening to. Nine times out of ten, those end up being the ideas my bandmates like the most too.
Janel:
Nick usually sends me a breathtaking instrumental. I listen and figure out what it’s trying to say—what emotions it’s giving me and how I connect that to something personal. Once the emotion clicks, the analogies come.
Sometimes lyrics and melody come together first; other times I’ll record a scratch melody and experiment in Logic. It really depends on the moment. The process is very collaborative, which has always been important to me.
4. How does this new material differ from your earlier work with other bands?
Luka:
Velcara is a big change of pace for me. I’ve played everything from pop and funk to prog and technical death metal, but nothing quite like this. Nick’s riffs bring a heavy mid-tempo groove that I haven’t really written to before, and I’m excited for people to hear what we’re creating.
Kenj:
Every band I’ve played in has gone lower and lower in tuning over time, and these are the lowest tunings I’ve ever played in. But that doesn’t necessarily mean heavier—it’s also the most emotionally driven material I’ve been part of. I’m really proud of it.
Janel:
There’s a lot more constant aggression than I’m used to, and I love it. The energy isn’t pristine or overly formulated—it’s emotional, vulnerable, and honest.
5. How do you see Velcara fitting into the current heavy music landscape?
Kenj:
We always struggle to compare ourselves to other bands. Sure, there are influences like Spiritbox or Architects, but no two songs we’ve written sound the same. That diversity is something I really love, and hopefully there’s something for everyone to connect with.
Janel:
The industry is more welcoming to female-fronted bands than ever, and that’s incredibly exciting. There are so many powerhouse women in metal right now, and I’m proud to be part of that movement.
We also went into writing with zero intention of sounding like anyone else, and I hope that uniqueness really comes through.
6. What’s the best advice you’ve received since starting the band?
Janel:
Patience is key. Good things take time, and rushing something you care deeply about will show. Waiting is hard, especially when you’re passionate, but releasing something you’re truly proud of is always worth it.
7. When everything feels overwhelming, what keeps you going?
Luka:
Consistent practice. Staying on top of your craft—no matter the genre—keeps you grounded. There’s no better feeling than locking in and flawlessly playing a set. That discipline can land you the gig that changes everything.
Janel:
The music itself. The meaning behind the words. And honestly, my teenage self—the one who fell in love with being in a band. I want to make her proud.
8. How do you handle creative disagreements within the band?
Kenj:
We’ve honestly never had real disagreements. Different perspectives come up, but we put everything on the table and talk it through. Sometimes we vote, sometimes our manager is the tiebreaker, but most of the time we’re on the same page. It’s very chill.
9. What does the word “home” mean to you as musicians?
Luka:
Home is wherever I feel most creative—a place where I can fully express myself and work productively. Being close to other musicians is always a bonus.
Janel:
Home is where you can take off all the masks. For me, that’s the stage—the venues, the crowd, the shared emotions. The yelling, the crying, the energy flowing back and forth. That’s home.
10. Five years from now, where do you hope Velcara is?
Janel:
I hope we’ve played major festivals in the U.S., toured internationally, headlined in the States, and hit the UK. A dream would be Japan and Australia as well.
Janel – What emotion do you tap into most when performing live?
I become the character of the song—like an actor following a script. Each song dictates the emotion, whether it’s aggression, anger, vulnerability, or pure groove. Sometimes the instrumental just takes over and I’m dancing without thinking.
Kenj – What’s the most underrated part of being a bassist in a heavy band?
The human element. Bassists are becoming rare—bands play live without them, studios use MIDI—but you lose something real when that happens. Live shows are a celebration. Play your ass off, have fun, and the audience will feel it.
Nick – How do you approach writing riffs: feel first or structure first?
Feel, always. I’m a groove-based writer. Growing up in the early 2000s, nu-metal definitely left its mark on me. I want riffs that make you move, bang your head, and remember them.
Luka – How do you balance power and precision?
It’s about relaxing into the groove. Instead of hyper-focusing on technical perfection, I let the music breathe. That balance creates grit, energy, and impact while still staying tight.
Final Thoughts
Velcara aren’t just building songs, they’re building a world rooted in emotion, groove, and authenticity. With a clear artistic identity and a refusal to sacrifice the human element of heavy music, the band feels poised to resonate far beyond their current reach. If their vision continues to evolve at this pace, Velcara may soon feel right at home on some of the world’s biggest stages.