The Voidz

The Voidz
Aurelien Guichard · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	The Voidz
Origin	New York City, New York (state)
Years active	2013–present
Label	Cult Records, RCA Records
Associated acts	Julian Casablancas, The Strokes, Albert Hammond Jr., Daft Punk, Kanye West

The Voidz are an American rock band formed in New York City by vocalist Julian Casablancas and musicians from diverse backgrounds. Known for experimental approaches that blend rock, electronic, punk, and avant-garde elements, they released multiple albums and toured internationally, collaborating with artists and appearing at major festivals such as Glastonbury Festival and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The group’s lineup has included members with ties to acts like The Strokes, Crocodiles, Albert Hammond Jr., and solo projects by members who worked with Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Daft Punk.

History

The band formed after Julian Casablancas’ work with The Strokes and his solo album Phrazes for the Young led him to collaborate with multi-instrumentalists from scenes in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and San Francisco. Early shows occurred in Manhattan venues and they made notable appearances supporting acts like Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age. Their debut studio album was released on Cult Records, a label founded by Julian Casablancas that later partnered with RCA Records for distribution. Over successive tours they performed at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival, and SXSW, and engaged in collaborations with producers linked to Trent Reznor and Nigel Godrich. Personnel changes and side projects have tied members to bands including The Strokes, Crocodiles, Sparks, and producers who worked on records by Arctic Monkeys and LCD Soundsystem.

Musical style and influences

The band's sound incorporates elements of punk rock, experimental rock, electronic music, noise rock, and avant-garde textures, drawing comparisons to artists such as Captain Beefheart, David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Kraftwerk, and Public Enemy. Critics and listeners have linked their production choices to engineers and producers associated with Brian Eno, Phil Spector, Steve Albini, and Mark Ronson. Song structures sometimes echo work by Television, Can, and Sonic Youth, while vocals and aesthetic references recall Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and Patti Smith. The incorporation of electronic beats and sampling reflects influences from Aphex Twin, Daft Punk, and Kendrick Lamar collaborators, and lyrical themes have been compared to writers and artists associated with Beat Generation figures and the New York art scenes around Andy Warhol and Basquiat.

Band members

Core and touring members have included Julian Casablancas (vocals) and musicians who previously worked with acts such as The Strokes, Crocodiles, Albert Hammond Jr., and producers affiliated with Danger Mouse and Mark Ronson. Other contributors have joined from projects involving TV on the Radio, Sparks, The Rapture, and session work connected to Adele and Rihanna. Collaborators and touring personnel have included multi-instrumentalists who released solo material on labels like XL Recordings and Domino Recording Company, and guest performers have modeled partnerships seen in recordings by Eddie Vedder, Thom Yorke, and St. Vincent.

Discography

Studio albums and singles were released on Cult Records with distribution through RCA Records and retailers used by labels such as Warner Music Group. Their catalogue includes a debut that merged analog recording techniques popularized by Motown-era studios and modern digital production styles found in work by Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails. Singles received airplay on stations associated with BBC Radio 1, KEXP, and Sirius XM, and tracks were licensed for placements alongside music by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar.

Live performances and tours

They have headlined and supported tours across North America, Europe, and Asia, performing at venues ranging from clubs in Greenwich Village to arenas that previously hosted acts like Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire. Festival appearances include Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Lollapalooza, and Roskilde Festival, and they have played curated nights affiliated with promoters such as LIVE NATION and AEG Presents. Live collaborations saw members sharing stages with artists including The Strokes, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, and guest appearances by musicians from Daft Punk and Kanye West sessions.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception mixed praise from publications like Rolling Stone (magazine), Pitchfork, and NME, while cultural commentators connected the band to movements in New York City art and music scenes that involved figures such as Andy Warhol and Basquiat. Their experimental approach influenced emerging bands on labels such as Sub Pop and 4AD, and members' solo work continued to impact releases by artists on XL Recordings and Columbia Records. Retrospectives in outlets associated with The New York Times and The Guardian have framed their output within a lineage that includes The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, and other avant-garde rock innovators.

Category:American rock music groups