An interview with: Unicorn Hard-On

Val Martino is the one-woman noise/beats/electronic/psychedelic act UNICORN HARD-ON. She has also toured as a member of the Laundry Room Squelchers, Gang Wizard, and done collaborative recordings and performances with Leslie Keffer. Though for the most part she's been operating under the radar (so far!), Unicorn Hard-On has had a significant influence on the underground weirdo/noise/experimental scene. If you connect the dots, you start to find that an awfully large number of movers and shakers have seen or played with, and fallen in love with, Unicorn Hard-On. For several years Val has been sticking to her personal style and following her unique vision - and wherever I travel it seems I'm witnessing storms that started with her butterfly wingbeats.

Val was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about her music and share some tracks with all of you. 

When you first started making music as Unicorn Hard-On, what was the intention and what gear did you start out with?

Originally, I was supposed to start a band with a friend, but we had no gear, only ideas. I started saving up my money and walked into a Mars music store that was going out of business. There were two Korg Electribe floor models I wound up messing around with and walked out with both for the price of 1. Got the EA-1 and the ER-1. The original band never happened, and I wound up just putting the Korgs away as I worked on finishing my photography portfolio for school. I started talking with another friend about starting a band and we went for it and played two shows before I graduated. (After that, I continued on with the band solo.) We had no idea what we were doing. We considered ourselves artists and performers, not musicians. (at least I did, I had very little musical training) I used music as my medium and taught myself how to program those synths, and created elaborate stories to tell using the range of sounds I got out of them. 

Has that changed any between that time and now?

I do consider myself a musician. I have learned so much. My intention now is to keep writing and continue to learn different ways to compose my visions and add to my body of work.

You often play in the "noise" scene. How is Unicorn Hard-On received at noise shows?

Well, now there are tons of bands (many former "noise" bands) that have adopted the electronic/dance/beat style so the difference isn't as drastic. But when I started playing gigs 8 years ago, I was generally the only band with that style. For the most part, I was received fairly well, as I think most people understood that I was creating something more complex than just a dance set.

You've moved around a lot and recently returned to Nashville. Is that the best place to live? Why or why not?

Hmmmm... I really don't know. The one thing I do know is that no place is perfect and you have to figure out what is most important. The scene here is small, but it is cheap to live, and for the most part the weather isn't too bad. Also, it is pretty centrally located, so touring out east or west is somewhat more convenient. I have great friends here, and that is really important to me as well.

Most of your stuff has been self-released or put out by friends. (I think) Have any bigger labels been after you to do releases? Would you consider that or are you happy putting things out as you have been?

I would love to put music out on bigger labels. Yo, hit me up!

You've done some collaboration with Leslie Keffer before. Will you be doing any more stuff together?

We haven't played together since I moved back, but I'm sure we will when the time is right. 

I happen to know you like some pop music. Does that influence Unicorn Hard-On? Would you ever try making some straight-up pop music yourself?

Yeah, I like some pop music, haha. I have been known to play some Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, and Britney in my DJ sets, but for real, I'm a huge fan of Madonna, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Sparks, Pixies, The Cure, etc and definitely all of it influences me. As for a straight pop record... you never know.

Where is the strangest place you've played a show?

In the middle of the woods in the middle of nowhere in West Virginia

What is the most rewarding part of making and playing the music you do?

When I first started playing gigs, I was usually the only women on the bill. Over the years, I've gotten a handful of letters from other young women thanking me for giving them the courage to play their own beautifully weird music out live. That's always awesome. There are so many amazing, talented women making music now, we are all in good company. 

Am I right that you started getting involved in music when you lived in Richmond? What is your take on the scene there between then and now?

Unicorn Hard-on started while I was in school in Richmond. My first gig was at a hardcore show in my friend's living room. I scared every single person out of the room except one dude who was like, "Fuck yeah!" At that time there was no experimental scene. That scene really flourished after I left town and I haven't played there in a long time.

What releases and/or shows are coming up next?

I'm playing a show in Nashville on Easter with Captain Ahab, and I got a month-long Europe tour with Container, Laser Poodle, and Fyoelk in May/June. Also got a split 12" coming out on Hot Releases and some other stuff in the works.

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A couple of people shared the following praise for Val and Unicorn Hard-On:

"I discovered Val's work in 2006 and totally fell in love with it. I view Unicorn Hard-On as being one of the first projects in a line of many who started mutating the contemporary noise scene into a more rhythm oriented and club influenced community. Val has definitely always been ahead of the curve."
- Jonathan Coward (SHAMS)

"she makes the best cupcakes and beer coozies."
- Leslie Keffer

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Check out the following MP3s:

Unicorn Hard-On "Your Many Furry Features" (MP3)

Unicorn Hard-On "Major Moon" (MP3)

Unicorn Hard-On "Forever Fantasy" (MP3)

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And you will definitely want to visit Val's blog, which covers not only her own stuff, but also documents lots of other excellent music: http://www.tangledhares.com

Unicorn Hard-On on last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Unicorn+Hard-On 

Comments

[Ryan Martin]

Great to see Unicorn Hard-On on WFMU !
This isn't a huge deal, but I operate the Hot Releases label and we don't really use myspace anymore - our website is www.hot-releases.org if anyone wants more information about the label.

[DaveX]

Very cool. Would love to try to get down there for the Unicorn/Ahab show! Also, that's very good news about the Hot Releases split... who's it with?

[MP Lockwood]

I believe the split will be with Container, which is Ren of God Willing and the I Just Live Here label doing "minimal techno." I updated the link to Hot Releases in this post!

[John]

HEY that Churchill's!!! yes, i spend many nights at that venue....