Showcasing their uniquely explosive brand of soulful rock that incorporates elements of grunge, punk, pop and heavier sounds, The Gitas’ new 13-track album is the follow-up to Garland, a seven-track EP released in 2015.
The group is Sasha Chemerov (originally from the Ukraine) on guitar and vocals, Brittany Macc (a self-taught musician from New York) on drums and Sal Ramazzini (who hails from Guatemala City) on bass.
Beverly Kills explores deeper themes than Garland, with mystical Hindu-inspired undertones on display throughout (first heard on the opening track “Mantra”). The album’s artwork also showcases imagery of Kali, the goddess of material illusion, who then reappears in the title track, a hymn to the Hindu goddess.
Please tell me about your upcoming album, Beverly Kills. Where did the title come from, how does it differ from your previous work, etc.?
Sal: “Beverly Kills is the first LP production of this band, with 12 original tracks. It differs from Garland not only because Garland is an EP recorded by Sasha in collaboration with hired musicians, but this record was actually produced musically by the band and it reflects a moment of our lives.”
How would you define the sound on the album and your music in general?
Sasha: “I think the record sounds like a book of stories or a TV series. We try to make music not depending on the genre but on the moment, feeling, mood – and on spontaneous movements. I would define our music as ‘affective’.”
Sal: “Fuzzy/grungy/catchy.”
What themes do you address on the album?
Sasha: “The main theme is addressed in the first song, ‘Mantra’, which translates as: ‘You have the right to perform your action but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action’ – simply saying: ‘Our duty to act without attachment to the score but enjoy and appreciate a moment of now’ and all that hippy shit…”
Which of the tracks on the record particularly stand out for you?
Sal: “They all have something. ‘Judas’ and ‘The Decadence of Laura Palmer’ have a dark vibe and beauty in the melodies – but also ‘Not Alive’ and ‘Sharks of Disharmony’ are the heaviest ones on the record in my opinion.”
Sasha: “‘4 free’ and ‘Magic’ are pure rock, so it depends on your taste. For the romantic ones there are ‘Femme Fatal’ and ‘That’s All I Do’. It’s a real Johnson this record.”
Please tell me a bit about how you formed, where the band’s name came from, etc.
Sasha: “Well, it’s been about a couple of months after I closed my last band in the middle of the show at CIA in North Hollywood. Then I decided to form a righteous rock ‘n’ roll monster called The Gitas.
“After a year of studio work and searching I found my beloved band members: Brittany on Craigslist and Sal came to The Rattle Room studios with another band but, after hearing the material, left with The Gitas forever. ‘The Gitas’ is from Sanskrit and translates to ‘The Songs’. So we are song-oriented band.”
What are your plans for the rest of 2017 and beyond?
Sal: “Releasing the album on Feb 17, and new content, new merchandise and more energy! As far as touring in 2017, we expect to do some parts of USA, Europe and Latin America. Our goal is to continue to write music true to us and to put on the best live show you’ve seen.”
The Gitas’ new album will be available from February 17. It can be pre-ordered here.
For more information on the band, visit their official Facebook page.
