New songs. A band with a lot on their plate. A garden that doubles as a stage. 🌱🎶
We sat down with VJ of Old Knife to talk what’s next, how to juggle it all, and why community matters more than ever.

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 examples, 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!

Many thanks to VJ for a another wonderful conversation.

Be sure to follow Old Knife on Instagram, add all
Old Knife’s songs to all your playlists on all your streaming platforms.

Subscribe to the Live From the Avant Garden
podcast on your favorite podcast machine.

✨🖤✨

Hey fam 💫

I’ve got some super exciting news—I just found out that I’ll be joining forces with the one and only VJ on “Live from the Avant Garden” podcast!! Ahhh! If you’ve been following my journey for a while, you already know how much I love conversations that go deeper than the surface, especially when it comes to music, art, and what it means to create in this world. So getting invited onto a show that celebrates all of that? Truly an honor. And now, I get to share my story and connect with fellow music lovers. I’m beyond thrilled to have VJ, a true original from Northern Virginia and DC punk culture, as my guide through this conversation.

For those who might not know, Live from the Avant Garden is one of those rare gems in the podcast world—it’s soulful, thoughtful, and rooted in real community. VJ doesn’t just ask cookie-cutter questions, he wants to know what moves you, what keeps you grounded, what’s behind the art. As someone who’s always trying to pour a little more intention into everything I do, this feels like the perfect space to open up, reflect, and just vibe. It’s going to be an absolute blast to talk about the creative process, get feedback from someone who understands what it means to put your heart on your sleeve, and dive into what drives my passion for music. But beyond that, I’m also super stoked to learn more about VJ’s own journey as a musician. From his early days in Northern Virginia’s thriving punk scene to his work with Old Knife and now, the “Live from the Avant Garden” podcast – it’s been an incredible ride. And I know he’ll be able to share some amazing insights into the DC music scene, which has always felt like home to me. What really gets me pumped is that this podcast is all about authenticity and embracing our true selves. As an artist, I’ve always sought to create music that’s genuine, heartfelt, and honest – something that resonates with my own experiences and emotions. And with VJ at the helm, I know we’ll be having a conversation that’s just as raw, real, and inspiring.

So stay tuned, y’all—I’ll be sharing the release date and link as soon as it drops. Can’t wait for you to hear it. To my fellow musicians, music lovers, and anyone who’s ever felt like their voice matters – let’s do this! Let’s spread love, kindness, and all things creative through our art. 💗

With love & endless reverb,

Gigi 

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-the-avant-garden
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fQrGZux2lfDi8XM0omhM5
Instagram: @live_from_the_avant_garden

UPDATE:

Hey loves 💫

I just wrapped my episode on “Live from the Avant Garden”—and I’m still floating from the whole experience!! What made it even more special? I got to share the mic with my bandmate and producer, Ryan Parsons. 🙌🏽

Ryan is the brilliant mind behind so much of the sound we’ve built together—he’s been part of every track, every late-night session, every little sonic decision that brings the music to life. So to have both of us on the podcast, talking side by side? Just felt right.

We covered everything from our earliest musical influences, to how our collaboration works in the recording and songwriting process, to the way we challenge each other creatively (and always come out stronger for it). There were a few moments where we both were like, “Wait…we’ve never actually said that out loud before.” Those are the best kinds of convos, honestly.

And something that made this episode extra special? I got to perform a few of my songs acoustically, stripped down and raw. It was such a cool shift from the way we usually play them live—electric, layered, and full. Getting to reconnect with the songs in that intimate way reminded me of how they started: just voice, chords, and feeling. It made the whole experience feel even more personal.

Massive love and gratitude to VJ, the host of Avant Garden, for holding such a thoughtful, open, and grounding space for us. VJ has a real gift for asking the kind of questions that make you pause and dig a little deeper—not just into the music, but into the why behind it. It didn’t feel like an interview—it felt like a creative home for the hour.

If you’ve ever been curious about what happens behind the curtain—how the songs get made, what inspires them, what acoustic Gigi sounds like 😉—and what it’s like to co-create as a team, I think you’re gonna love this one.

So thankful for Ryan, for VJ, and for all of you who keep showing up and showing love.

With love & endless reverb,

Gigi