VOWWS Fill Their House With an Army of Dark Emotions: Exploring Their Unique Sound

Dive into the captivating journey of VOWWS, the dark pop duo blending shadowy melodies and raw emotion without leaning into goth clichés.

The Dark Pop Duo That Defies the Goth Label

When you first hear VOWWS, you might expect a goth anthem—deep shadows, haunting melodies, and a brooding vibe. But don't be fooled. Matt James and Rizz, the Australian-born duo behind VOWWS, have carved out a niche that's their own. Their new album, I’ll Fill Your House With an Army, swirls through layers of shadow, melody, anguish, and euphoria, capturing a complex emotional landscape.

Yet, as Matt James firmly points out, "We’re not really big goth rock fans. Neither of us are big Depeche Mode fans. I know, like, one Depeche Mode record back to front." So if you’re expecting a goth revival, think again.

Eclectic Influences Shape a Unique Sound

Their journey to this dark pop sound wasn’t a straightforward one. Instead, it grew naturally out of their diverse musical tastes: rock, film soundtracks, and experimental pop. There’s an analog affection that fuels their electronic music, heartfelt lyrics born from their hard-won experiences as Australians navigating the challenging Los Angeles scene.

Rizz shares, “I like a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We grew up in the ’90s, so there’s a lot of grunge in there. But we also love film scores. Matt listens mainly to piano music, like Satie—our number one artist on Spotify. It’s pure notes. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to define what we sound like because it’s such a mix.”

The spectrum of their influences explains why VOWWS defy easy categorization. Their sound is a cocktail of 90s grunge grit, cinematic tension, and electronic textures that meld seamlessly.

Big Names Backing the VOWWS Journey

As their star rises, VOWWS have garnered support from some heavy hitters: Poppy, members of The Cult, Deftones, A Perfect Circle, Korn, and even darkwave pioneer Gary Numan. Their 2026 tour plans include European dates with Kim Dracula, a festival slot in Las Vegas, and a U.S. run with Marilyn Manson.

Theatrical Live Shows and a DIY Ethos

Live, VOWWS are a spectacle wrapped in jet-black clothing. Rizz’s face is often painted in stark white and black, vampiric and striking, while movie footage plays on screens behind them. “We always call ourselves happy, sad,” James says of their music’s emotional range. “There’s a lot of feeling in there that’s not bad. We’re not just depressing.”

Their apartment near the Hollywood Bowl doubles as a creative nest—an intimate space filled with guitar cases, video editing gear, and a TV quietly playing an Andy Warhol documentary. It’s here that much of their magic happens, steeped in DIY spirit.

Pandemic Pause and a Creative Resurgence

The pandemic put their momentum on hold. Midway through their follow-up to 2018’s Under the World, everything stopped. Before COVID-19, they'd toured, performed at fashion shows for Comme des Garçons and Givenchy, and built their presence. But lockdowns and uncertainties froze their progress.

James reflects, “It wasn’t uniquely bad for us, but it was a traumatic thing. And it fucked with us for two years.”

Despite the lull, they released singles like the punchy “Stay Where You Are” and “Impulse Control” in 2020, and later, haunting tracks like “One By One” and “Wait,” a collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe.

Meeting the ‘American Dad’ of Their Sound: Billy Howerdel

A turning point came when they connected with Billy Howerdel of A Perfect Circle. Rizz directed a moody music video for his solo track “Poison Flowers,” using found footage and shots from their apartment, establishing a creative bond.

Their month-long tour together deepened their connection. Sharing a tour bus, they bonded over music like the haunting score of Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Wojciech Kilar. Howerdel then offered to produce their new album in his private studio, lending his meticulous touch.

James affectionately calls him, “our American dad.”

The album features contributions from drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Foo Fighters) and even Korn guitarist Munky on the swirling “SHUDDER.” Rizz’s adolescent love for nu-metal bands like Korn comes full circle with these collaborations. She recalls the sessions as a joyful gathering, with familiar faces like Danny Lohner turning it into a party atmosphere.

Crafting an Intimate and Layered Album

Songs like “Hurt You” showcase a “gothy marching sound,” inspired in part by Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” beat, emphasizing intimacy through a “really small snare drum.”

The album’s title, I’ll Fill Your House With an Army, came from a subconscious place, much like James’s lyrics. “A lot of the time when I’m writing, I sing gibberish to create a melody. Whatever is in your subconscious often comes through in a couple of words, and I’ll just go with it.”

Howerdel’s production style slowed the process but deepened it. James explains, “He doesn’t like to leave any stone unturned… He really stopped us in our tracks and asked questions about everything.”

New Additions and Roots in Australia

Since wrapping the album, the duo expanded their lineup with drummer Adam Pierce and bassist Stu Brooks. But the core remains Matt and Rizz, whose journey from suburban Sydney to the streets of Hollywood has been anything but ordinary.

Born in Costa Rica and raised in Australia, Rizz’s background is as diverse as their music. The pair met in college, uniting their creative energies.

Their early days in L.A. were humble—living in a tiny apartment with just a blow-up mattress and a TV. James remembers it fondly: “That whole thing of leaving your old self behind. You also leave all your shit behind.”

Their families, back home, often worried about the dangers of L.A.—fires, unrest, and more—but the biggest threat was always financial survival.

“Those years are imprinted all over our music,” James says. “It still feels very fragile. I don’t know if that will ever go away, and I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.”

Returning permanently to Australia was never an option for their music. Even short trips home were just pit stops for visa renewals before heading back to the grind.

Rizz recalls a New Year’s Eve show in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district as surreal: “There’s a fight happening over there. People screaming here. A guy overdosing over there… Australia’s very safe. What an adventure.”

Looking Ahead: New Songs and Bright Creative Energy

After years of struggle and reflection, VOWWS are firing up for the future. A week-long retreat in Southern California’s high desert gave them space to write, resulting in five new songs already underway.

James shares, “We’re in a really good creative place at the moment. I think it’s come from this last couple of years of struggle that’s led us here.”

Rizz adds with excitement, “I’m so thrilled I’ll Fill Your House With an Army is out. It’s never going to take that long again. And we’ve been writing the best we feel that we’ve ever written. There’s no rules, there’s no pressure.”

FAQ

• What genres influence VOWWS’ music?
  VOWWS draw from 90s grunge, film scores, electronic music with analog elements, and dark pop, creating a unique, hard-to-define sound.
• Who produced their latest album?
  Billy Howerdel of A Perfect Circle produced I’ll Fill Your House With an Army, bringing a meticulous and curious approach to the album's creation.
• Which notable musicians contributed to the album?
  Drummer Josh Freese and Korn guitarist Munky feature on multiple tracks, adding depth and a rock edge to the album.
• How do VOWWS describe their music emotionally?
  They call their music “happy, sad,” reflecting a mix of feelings that range from melancholy to euphoria, steering clear of simple depression or goth stereotypes.
• What inspired the album’s title?
  The title came from subconscious impulses during the songwriting process, capturing an evocative, emotional intensity present throughout the album.

If this deep dive into VOWWS' dark, emotive pop vibes has you hooked, why not bring their aesthetic into your space? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store here—perfect for filling your walls with your own army of vibes.