We had the good fortune of connecting with Vail Kuntz and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Vail, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking helps guide me in everything I do in making music. When searching for inspiration I specifically listen for things in music that catch my ear that I haven’t heard before, which is where I find ideas to build around. Two years ago, I began my home recording journey after discovering artists that record from home straight onto cassette tape. I decided to get a tape recorder myself and part of me definitely felt like, “what am I doing?” The concept of recording to a cassette tape felt very antiquated, but there was something about it that spoke to me and I chose to follow that. And it totally unlocked my creative flow! I think there’s something about using a computer to record music that scares me–having a sea of options can be very overwhelming. Using a tape recorder forced me to go back to basics and I was able to create without as much hesitation. Now I’ve completed my first album!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Music has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been a rock drummer since 5th grade and I’ve always had a passion for creating art and performing music. Towards the end of high school, I became really depressed and music became a source of light for me in a dark time. I was a big prog rock and grunge fan and as I explored further into new types of music I found myself drawn to more weird and obscure music. Eventually I came out to Colorado to study music at the University of Colorado Denver and here I found other musicians and artists who helped inspire me to develop my passion into creating strange music of my own. I currently play drums in four bands based here in Denver and I just completed my first experiment of an album, TV Dreams & Radio Screams for my solo project, VITAL ZUNK. It’s one big hazy audio collage of ambient music, found sounds, and recorded conversations that was all originally recorded to cassette tape. I think it has yet to find it’s audience, but I’m proud to say it’s a complete vision and I’m glad it’s out there on the web.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Denver has some of my favorite record shops ever! Wax Trax is amazing for it’s large selection of new and used music (one store for each!) and Twist and Shout has so many records I can’t find anywhere else. Both are also great for finding local music and other small artists on cassette tape. Mutiny Info Cafe is awesome too! They have tons of comics, zines, books, music, videos, coffee, you name it! And they have some killer live music! Cheesman park is super cool for it’s unique history of being extremely haunted and being a great place to eat a big ol’ sandwich on a sunny day. As for food, Tacos Los Compas has my favorite meal in all of Denver: huevos rancheros with a large horchata. And they’re open 24/7–life can’t get much better than that. I also just love walking or roller-blading around downtown. Denver has some beautiful architecture that’s worth taking a day to check out. Get some boba tea and just walk around!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my bands! I am currently performing with Wombat and the Monkey Man (@wombatandthemonkeyman), a mind-blowing cosmic indie rock machine that has several shows coming in the next few months around the Denver metro area. I also play in Kush, a Rush tribute band with a mile high twist (@kushtheband) and for Finn O’Sullivan, the fantastic singer-songwriter (@finnosullivanmusic)! I find myself inspired everyday by my fellow friends and musicians, and I wouldn’t have been able to get to where I am today without their support and encouragement.
Website: https://vitalzunk.bandcamp.com/album/tv-dreams-radio-screams
Instagram: @vail.snail
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lhT65OcFjk