Chris Moore (Repulsion, Coke Bust, The Rememberables) and Josephine Olivia (Blacksage) started VOSH as a means to explore an amalgam of influences that range from Bauhaus to early Ministry to Sisters of Mercy to Zounds to Killing Joke to latter day titans Nine Inch Nails. And while a wide reaching and generic term such as “synth pop” or “darkwave” could be applied to the effort in broad strokes, the drama, intensity and excellent songwriting evokes something much deeper, more sinister, and darkly beautiful.

Stretching across twelve original tracks, VOSH’s debut album “Vessel” doesn’t just slither, it bangs and bursts with explosive energy, juxtaposing an icy goth cool with red hot heightened drama and muscle. Vocalist, lyricist and front person Josephine Olivia is the musical centerpiece for VOSH, mixing the dreamy and ethereal approach of Hope Sandoval or Alison Shaw (Cranes), the versatility of David Bowie, and the commanding power of greats like Siouxsie, Diamanda Galas or Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance). Olivia’s vocal sails above it all, presenting haunting melody after haunting melody in a dramatic and forceful manner that nods to voices from goth, dream pop, indie and elements of traditional pop music.

Recorded at Moore/Olivia’s shared home in the greater Washington DC area, Moore looped in longtime collaborator/producer/engineer Kevin Bernsten from Developing Nations in Baltimore for an assist on the mix with Magnus Lindberg (Tribulation, Russian Circles, Lucifer, Hellacopters, Frida Hyvönen, etc) mastering the effort.