I’ve been a long-time supporter of the Paul Ragsdale and Angie De Alba feature Streets of Vengeance. The ’80s throwback action-revenge film has grown quite the following over the last several years. While the filmmakers have moved on to their next feature, the recently filmed horror film Slashlorette Party, Streets of Vengeance continues to manifest a life of its own. One component that people continue to talk about is the brilliant soundtrack. Composed by Vestron Vulture, it captures the essence of the film, the spirit of the ’80s, and still manages to succeed as a stand-alone release. The soundtrack has only been available digitally, but the opportunity to own a physical release is now a possibility, but it needs help from the fans.
For those who may be unfamiliar, how about we let the artist speak for himself. “ I started ‘Vestron Vulture’ back in 2012, when the whole synthwave movement was actually becoming a thing. I think I got into it because of Drive mostly, and Kavinsky,” he begins. “I think I can name him as one of my influences along with Giorgio Moroder, John Harrison, Fabio Frizzi, and Brad Fiedel. This whole boom helped VV to get on the spot and to be part of the Hotline Miami 2 soundtrack. Back then, I was in several local Hardcore/Metal bands; I used to produce Trance back in 2008/2007, but it never got anywhere.”
For an upcoming artist, meeting the right people to connect with and to help spread your art is imperative. For VV, meeting the masterminds behind Streets of Vengeance was a turning point. VV elaborates, “I first met Paul Ragsdale when he messaged me on Facebook back in 2013. He wanted a main theme for his movie Cinco de Mayo, you know, something really Carpenter-esque. I’ve always been a fan of John Carpenter, so it was really easy. We eventually became really good friends and one night he told me about this idea for SOV, so I got really excited and composed the main theme for it. After that, he sent me the script and the rest is history. It was great I think this was one of my biggest works ever.”
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“I think Paul and Angie De Alba gave me all their trust and we have a really similar background in horror/exploitation films, but I did keep them updated about how I was going to make this really Carpenter-esque and Frizzi-esque, too.” While the final result is quite remarkable, it wasn’t by any means smooth sailing to get there. VV confesses, “I had some troubles back then when I was composing it due to personal reasons. I think I got disconnected from the world for at least 3 weeks, but I’m grateful they never gave up on me and SOV became one hell of a movie.”
So enter Qrates, a unique crowdfunding service catering to musicians and labels. Artists can provide the opportunity for fans to pre-order vinyl, and the musicians can make it available with little risk or capital. Goals are set and if they’re not met, no one is charged. VV explains, “Someone gave me the Qrates idea I was not aware of it but said, ‘What the hell? Lets give it a try.'” As we all know, during this time of quarantine and pandemic, artists are really suffering, and they have to experiment in order to get their art out into the world. Already a couple weeks into the campaign, things started out strong, but there’s still a little way to go. He goes on, “It’s a really nice way to get your stuff on vinyl, but I think that the current situation of the world is not really helping the music industry, and it’s tough. I do have a backup plan, maybe a smaller single LP version with ‘best of’ tracks, but I really hope this one gets funded.”
With our help, this LP can become a reality and I, for one, really want to see this happen. You can go to the project page and hear some samples, see the concept art, and get an idea of what this will look like and hear like once completed. No one wants to see this through more than Vestron Vulture himself. “It’s awesome honestly, I’m very proud of it. I love all my music, but the SOV album is really special to me because it was one of the last albums I composed while I was staying at my grandpa’s house. He’s passed away now, but he had let me use one of his empty rooms as a studio, those were great days,” he remembers fondly.
While trying to reach his goal for this project, Vestron Vulture is hard at work on some new music. “My next album, Lionheart, is coming this year on the German Label Cold Transmission Music. It will have a physical release, too, but I still don’t know which formats will be available.” And if that wasn’t enough, he continues, “After Lionheart I will be working on my Minimal/Darkwave LP and a Country EP. There’s a lot of genres that i still want to explore, so anything can happen!”
There’s less than two weeks left in the campaign, so now is the time to pre-order your copy of the Streets of Vengeance soundtrack in a 2-LP set.
For more Vestron Vulture, visit the campaign page, Bandcamp, and follow on Facebook.
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Very curious about VV. Thanks for answering the question “who are they?” (I’m an old guy)
Personally I hear not-the-usual Concrete Blonde, and if I’m not mistaken they did invade Mexico in the 80s, more fans there than in the US. (I also hear Concrete Blonde in Guerra Fria, also south of the border. Perhaps it’s the tinnitus).
In the end there are 5 woman left for vengeance the Liv is dead and Brian too. Amber’s boyfriend lives. Why showing six women it doesn’t make any sense when they show the ending credits behind them?
Image this movie is based on Cobra, The Warriors, The Slumber Party Massacre, & Rocktober Blood.
Especially other women who are in danger like Natalie Portman, Abbie Cornish, Emily Browning, Emilia Clarke, Gemma Arterton, Rebekah Kochan, Sara Malakul Lane, and Savannah Costello. And some who are being so difficult and complicated are Keira Knightley, Thora Birch, & Amy Jo Johnson in Streets of Vengeance. I’m not sure about Jennifer Lawrence.
Or even Diora Baird kinda in danger
Or even Tara Reid not sure about Lucy Lawless.
Or even Talulah Riley.
Especially Deborah Van Valkenburgh is that kind a complicated.
Even Daborah Van Valkenburgh.
Streets of vengeance movies is based on Cobra and The Warriors.
Men are really such a He-man Woman Hater’s Club even Sucker Punch 2011.