"I'm definitely thankful to have found a way to share my thoughts and feelings with people. We live in a world where there's plenty to say. I talk about it all; the greed of society, the paradox of what people believe in and the way they act, etc. People can easily identify with those songs or it can just open their minds and explore different ways of thinking."

Ghalia Volt: Shout Sister Shout!

New Orleans-via-Belgium garage-blues artist/rock and roller Ghalia Volt made a pilgrimage to Joshua Tree, CA to make new album Shout Sister Shout! (2023, Ruf Records). Producer and Queens of the Stone Age collaborator David Catching welcomed her to Rancho De La Luna, also the site of recordings by Iggy Pop, Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, and PJ Harvey. Volt brought her own vibe and impressive credentials to Joshua Tree—and a batch of great songs that she wrote on her eighteen-state One Woman Band tour, done via Amtrak, for which she carried guitars, amps, and foot-drums herself. Her sound on Shout Sister Shout! has been likened to those of garage-rockers and psych-rockers such as Deap Vally, Mr. Airplane Man, Larkin Poe, Holly Golightly, and early music by The Kills. She has taped a video session with tastemaker series Jam In the Van. American Songwriter praised her “skill and savvy” and Guitar World agreed, saying that her music comes from a “scrappy background in punk, garage rock and psychobilly.”

(Ghalia Volt / Photo by Kaylie McCarthy)

The sounds of Shout Sister Shout! are bolstered by Lou Reed’s long-serving drummer Danny Frankel, who has also recorded with She & Him, Marianne Faithfull, Joan Jett, Social Distortion, Jim White, and Fiona Apple; Dr. John keys man Ben Alleman; and Catching himself grabbing a guitar on some tracks. It's a journey that started in Brussels, Belgium, where she began her career as a street performer before moving to the States without a drivers license, traveling by train, bus, and even hitchhiking at times, ultimately settling in New Orleans some six years ago. Shout Sister Shout! released via Ruf Records, home to albums by Spin Doctors, Luther Allison, his son Bernard Allison, Samantha Fish, Bette Smith, and Canned Heat.

Interview by Michael Limnios                    Special Thanks: Nick Loss-Eaton Media

How has the Rock n’ Roll Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Just like when it was created. When you feel like you don't fit somewhere, you find in music a power that gets you through the days. Channel your emotions and frustrations then express them through art.

How do you describe your music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

It comes from literally everywhere. This mind never stops. I usually tend to write comfort songs more than lamentation songs. The day you lay down some lyrics, you gotta be conscious that you're about to sing this song almost every day for months or years. I wanna lift people's spirits. And mine.

Writing music is like listening to music, it goes with how you feel. But it's also relieving to write a sad song when you're sad, and a fun song when you're amused.  But then the opposite works too. If you're down and discouraged, it feels good to write a song that comforts you and brings back your will and determination.

What touched you from Joshua Tree, CA.? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of “Shout Sister Shout!”?

I often say that the atmosphere at a studio makes the whole record. You soak the vibe around you; which can involve anything. Yes, the energy, the complicity between the musicians, but also, the moon, the stars, the noise of the wind in the desert once a session is over, the coyotes howling. David Catching was very easy to work with and very laid-back. Great producer, great sound engineer and an amazing cast of musicians including Danny Frankel and Ben Allman.                (Ghalia Volt / Photo by Kaylie McCarthy)

"There shouldn't be a "chick & blues" festival like there are no "boys and guitars" festival... We shouldn't be "hired" or "not hired" because we're women. But we do. But that's the society in which we live in. The humanity judges. And we forgive him. I'm still waiting for the First Woman President!"

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Everything! I don't really listen to many contemporary bands. I should, so I would know what's out there. But there's so many amazing bands that catch my attention.... from the 20's to the 80's.... It's literally endless.

I think nowadays songs are missing interesting lyrics. It's easy to be shopping out there, and hearing a song that repeats the exact same sentence for about 4 minutes. The other thing is "good hooks" which for me, always make the great musicality of a song.

What's the balance in music between technique and soul? How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

I'm not so much a technician regarding music. I like it pretty raw and organic. I don't mess with pedals too much. I just like a good ole amp that I can crank. I'm not really a nerd. I know what I like, for sound and just dig deep into it. That's regarding the sound,... Regarding music itself, I play what feels good. I hate shredding. It's not musical to me... and it entertains only the person who's playing... Nobody wants to hear that. Ten thousand times one note, with a nice grip and a tremolo, then 300 notes played in one bar. But I like to get creatives= and bring some exotic scales where you wouldn't expect it.

There's only two types of music, the good and the bad. So much to explore. It's all there.

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

In music or in life in general it's the same. The simple fact that this question is here in a Q&A is a statement. There shouldn't be a "chick & blues" festival like there are no "boys and guitars" festival... We shouldn't be "hired" or "not hired" because we're women. But we do. But that's the society in which we live in. The humanity judges. And we forgive him. I'm still waiting for the First Woman President!

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in music paths?

Discipline and a constant will is the best skill to have. Determination and hard work will do the rest. It's hard to be patient sometimes but it's part of the game.

"Writing music is like listening to music, it goes with how you feel. But it's also relieving to write a sad song when you're sad, and a fun song when you're amused.  But then the opposite works too. If you're down and discouraged, it feels good to write a song that comforts you and brings back your will and determination."

(Ghalia Volt / Photo by Kaylie McCarthy)

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want it to affect people?

I'm definitely thankful to have found a way to share my thoughts and feelings with people. We live in a world where there's plenty to say. I talk about it all; the greed of society, the paradox of what people believe in and the way they act, etc. People can easily identify with those songs or it can just open their minds and explore different ways of thinking.

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