A new single called “Tomorrow.” An album shaped by loss, love, and the last six years. And a drummer who plays like everything’s on the line. 🥁🔥 We sat down with Christopher Peli of Venray to talk newest releases, emotional weight, DC’s newest sacred stage, and what every drummer (and band) needs to hear.

Gigi.  Hi, Christopher Peli of Sundyr, Kinda Evil, & Venray!! I just listened to the latest Venray single “Tomorrow” off of your soon-to-be-released album Friends and Family. What do you want DC & the world to know about this single? Why release “Tomorrow” first?

Christopher: Venray has been working on these songs for about 6 years now, the oldest ones coming out of a prolonged time of lockdown when we couldn’t tour and play shows. We had a real head of steam going into 2020 and it was really deflated when we couldn’t play shows or record. We put out a 4-song release (20/20 EP) once we could finish it that December but we weren’t able to promote it much and it felt like it didn’t quite tell the full story of what we wanted to say. 

Tyler and I decided we really needed to make a full-length LP–we had a lot of setbacks and a LOT of personal life things that happened over that time that made it difficult to complete. We are also perfectionists to a fault, which leads to Perfectionary Paralysis, where you procrastinate due to imposter syndrome and never being able to achieve the ‘perfect’ thing in your head. Tomorrow is all about that procrastination, but also has a sound that is representative of the rest of the album. As a single, it made sense. I also wanted it to be the exact BPM of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Almost every pop song that becomes a hit is all within a very narrow range of BPM; it’s so formulaic–barf.  

Gigi.  The album artwork for Friends & Family is really powerful; I’ll make sure people can check out your explanation by linking Bandcamp. It is mentioned the album itself is dedicated to two incredible people. How has creating this album helped you through the journey of these past two years? Did anything surprise you – emotionally or otherwise – as the album came together?

Christopher: The recording in Philly took 2 years, but like I said the writing and demo-ing was much longer. There are other songs we have that we probably would have put on this album if it came out in 2022, but in a way taking a long time allowed us to really put only the best ones on there. it was also an attempt to write a timeless album–or something that wasn’t full of references to recent events or technology or something that would date the album. 

There’s a lot of melancholy in the lyrics like a Demotivational Poster. Something you know is saying the opposite but it’s clever and makes you laugh at tough times and dark thoughts. Like, ‘Tomorrow’ is saying “why do today what you can do tomorrow” but obviously done tongue-in-cheek. We are saying “Nobody’s listening, it’s alright if you don’t care, when you think you can you can’t, in the end we disappear…” but it’s like reverse psychology. The album itself is a triumph over ourselves and these demotivational thoughts–to make something that DOESN’T disappear when we die.  

I had the mental image of T1000 from Terminator 2 getting hit with a shotgun and being full of holes. That’s how it feels when you lose someone very close and important to you. So the artwork of a bunch of holes was emotional and metaphorical at the same time. Then you spend time trying to repair these holes, and most of the time–we are filling them with Bad Stuff. 

Gigi:  As a drummer, you attack the set like no one I’ve ever seen before. It is a masterclass of intensity, killer technique, & unabashed attitude. How did this approach develop? What’s one thing drummers should stop doing & one thing they should start doing?

Christopher: Thank you for the kind words–I would never consider myself someone who could put on a masterclass of anything hah; I am self-taught so I wouldn’t say my technique is anything someone should strive for–I call it Ham-Fisted playing. I thought about putting out a drum instructional video called “Playing the Wrong Way”. Before I had a drum set, I used to play along to classic rock radio by drumming on a pillow because I didn’t have a practice pad (I only learned a few years ago that Dave Grohl did the same thing as a kid). That said, my advice is: the way to seem louder or more bombastic is to be able to play quiet really well too. Some drummers only focus on speed volume and forget swing and ghost notes. Something I also use a lot of when recording is very well timed percussion–venray has always had a lot of influence from The Wrecking Crew; thinking about textures when playing is important, which is why I hate Electronic Drum Kits. 

Gigi:  I also saw that you & Venray played the inaugural show at brand new Atlantis, one of the DC music community’s hallowed venues brought to life again in 2023!! What was that experience like for you? What words of wisdom can you give the next DC bands playing that sacred spot? Also, where + where can we see Venray next? 

Christopher: There was some insider trading going on there, since I was the designer/architect of The Atlantis (part of my day job). The people at I.M.P. that I was working with closely during construction said that they were going to have me play the venue first when it was done–and they were true to their word. It was all pretty surreal at the time–I love to give tours of the building and all the historic easter eggs we hid all over–many in plain sight. Bands take selfies in front of the rat-wallpaper and never see the rats. That’s the best; when it’s so subtle that it’s reminiscent without being obvious. We do a lot of that in our songs; drum fills and lyrics and guitar licks that are little nods to music we love but not in a way you would hear and say “oh that is a copy of this or that”. There are little ghosts all around you all the time but everyone is too in their own head to see. Like how Lydia can see the Maitlands in Beetlejuice.

Thank you to Christopher Peli for talking a moment to chat with me.

Be sure to follow venray on Instagram
and also on your preferred music streaming platform(s).

⭐️🖤⭐️

As the year winds down, I’ve been taking a moment to look back at everything that’s happened, especially the music I’ve released over the past twelve months. Each track felt like a little milestone, a snapshot of where I was creatively at that moment, and closing out the year with them all behind me feels both surreal and energizing.

To celebrate the transition into a new year, I reached out to some of my musician and artist friends and asked them to share their New Year’s resolutions. Their responses were inspiring, honest, and sometimes hilarious, exactly the kind of creative spark I love carrying with me into January.

I also had the chance to catch up with VJ Hyde of Old Knife for a great conversation about his band and his podcast. Hearing him dive into the stories, experiments, and chaos behind both projects reminded me why I love talking to other artists in the first place: everyone is building something unique, and there’s always more going on beneath the surface.

Here’s to more music, more conversations, and more creative energy in the year ahead.

New Years Resolutions for 2026

“To keep connections with friends more.”
— Don Zientara (@donzientara_official)
Don Z Scheme & Inner Ear Studios

“Our resolution is to write a full album worth of music that really reflects our sound and values so we can begin recording new material by the end of 2026!”
— Fantazma (@fantazmadc) 

“In the coming year, I resolve to be more self aware. To recognize when my words and actions are guided by my ego and lizard brain. To be more thoughtful, patient and forgiving with friends, family and strangers.”
— Wilfredo Nelson Morales (@billynelsonmorales)
Nayan & Swingamajig

“To stop doomscrolling.”
– Mason (masonscan.ig)
Bassmasters & Cat Scan Boys

“While these days people talk about pixels and sharpness, punk was never about perfection. Resolution is just how clearly the moment hits you. Sometimes the photo is sharp, sometimes it’s messy and full of motion; either way, it’s the truth of what happened.

I’m not chasing clean images. I’m chasing energy. The resolution I care about is the feeling you get when you look at the photo, and you can hear the noise.

Resolution is the line I draw for myself. What do I refuse to compromise on? What truth am I trying to hold onto when everything around me is moving, screaming, shifting? Punk teaches you not to smooth the rough edges. So, I resolve to keep the edges sharp, not in a technical sense, but in a human sense.

I resolve to stay honest. I resolve to stay present. I resolve to let the moment be what it is, even if it’s messy or off-balance. That’s the clarity I believe in.”
— Antonia Tricarico (@antonia.tricarico)
Photographer, Activist, & Author of “Be My Rebel”

“My 2026 resolution is to record and release my solo EP in 2026. I’m also working on 6 more songwriter showcase events to help amplify some local voices in the coming year.”
— Ella G. (@ella.g.music)
Lud Roes & Old Knife

“My resolution is synonymous with the planet’s revolution: it’s ongoing. It’s to Slow Down. To not feed the fire of power. Speed doesn’t always equal efficiency. Eat slower. Drink slower. Feel things slowly. Allow myself to get lost.”
— Jeff Barsky (@barskyjeff)
Shadow Riot, Bedmaker, & Insect Factory Sounds

“Stress less, enjoy more, give myself some breaks!”
-– Pamela (@pamela.long.58152
Jackie & the Treehorns

“Remove negativity from my life.”
-– Steven (@stevenrubinmusic)
Jackie & the Treehorns

“Stop going to the bathroom.”
-–  Pete (@the.electric.grandmother)
The Electric Grandmother

“In 2026, I would like to “be there” more? Be there for friends, family and worthy moments that need me. Be present. Be supportive”
-– Mary Alice ( @electricgrandmotherette)
The Electric Grandmother

My Interview with VJ Hyde of Old Knife & Garden Party Host of the Live from the Avant Garden Podcast

Gigi: Hi, VJ! I was recently lucky enough to catch your band Old Knife play The Palisades Community Hub. During your set, I overheard you mention new songs… & then, indeed, I did hear some NEW songs!! What can we look forward to next from Old Knife?

VJ: Thanks for coming out and supporting as always! We did debut a new song at Palisades. Its working title is “Red Lines”. We have a few more in the works as well which will be getting added to our live set list over the next few months. Meanwhile, we are finishing up the last song on our EP that’s being recorded at Inner Ear with Don Z. These 4 songs were recorded with Devin Ocampo on drums. Three of them have been released as singles and we are planning on putting the EP out on most streaming platforms and in physical media in early 2026. Since Ella joined us as our full time drummer we have been refining our other tunes and composing some really new cool songs. We will be putting those tunes together for a full-length in the not-too-distant-future. Pro tip: follow us on BandCamp for early releases and insider information on upcoming shows and more. 

Gigi: It takes a lot of scheduling to make a band work, so, what advice can you give to musicians who work with artists who have a lot on their plate… from family to podcasts, such as your “Live from the Avant Garden” where you interview other musicians in your community garden plot, to other bands… How do you do it?

VJ: Short answer: untreated ADHD and intermittent marriage counseling. Long answer: It takes a lot of prioritization, patience and flexibility. I have recently started to make very conscious efforts to be aware of when my plans and expectations are clearly not alighted with those of the universe. For example, when I find myself hitting wall after wall in booking a bill or finding a time to rehearse or record and I start getting increasingly frustrated, I take a step back and concede a truce. It has been a difficult practice but I have noticed that when I let go and stop pushing and forcing my will, take a breath and wait, the universe sets something in my lap that is invariably better and clicks into place with all the folks I’m working alongside. That said, I still need to improve on balancing my creative impulses with my foundational responsibilities and roles. It’s a delicate dance. 

Gigi: I know that you also have another love which is gardening!! Now that we’re going into the colder months, frozen ground and all, how will you fill your time? What winter gardening activities do you recommend? Also, any winter podcasting opportunities from your garden stage?

VJ: The winter is when I spend my time planning and plotting what I’d like to grow in the coming season, research methods and techniques I might want to try out, and plan out new configurations for the garden. It’s also a good time to give my neglected indoor plants some much needed love and attention. As far as the podcast goes, I’ve got some episodes in the bank that I’ll be producing and releasing into the new year. I may also experiment with some off-season formatting that strays a little from the typical run of show so I can keep things rolling until I start recording the 3rd season. Also, who knows? There could even be some opportunity to have a mid-winter jam session episode if the stars align!

Gigi: And, last but possibly most important: What sage advice would you give to the artists and musicians just starting out in our DMV community? 

VJ:  Go to shows of local bands you like and are similar in sound/ energy/ vibes. Then once you’re there, talk to people! Chat up the bartender; strike up a conversation with the person running sound; buy the band some drinks and learn their names. In short, network!! Most importantly, be kind and grow your community. If you’re doing it for the sake of making music, the efforts will return to you tenfold!

Gigi: I lied about the *last* … Give us a VJ Hyde New Year Resolution! 🙂 🙂 

VJ: Throw your head back whenever you laugh. It’s a fun and easy resolution that also makes you look like an unhinged super villain when practiced in public!