Vox Rea

Vox Rea

Vox Rea is a Vancouver-based indie pop group active since 2020. The project centres on sisters Kate Kurdyak and Lauren Kurdyak, who work across vocals, piano, guitar, violin and percussion. Their earlier release history is tied to their former name, The Katherines, under which they put out the debut album To Bring You My Heart on 604 Records in 2017.

Background and formation

After a hiatus during which the pair studied philosophy in the mountains, the band re-emerges in 2020 as Vox Rea. The name is chosen to allow for a broader identity beyond the label of “girl band” and to signal a reclaiming of creative control. The project is based in Vancouver and presents itself as a group rather than a solo act.

Music and themes

The group describes its work as art that is experienced rather than treated as a product. Its songs are shaped by introspective writing and recurring themes including addiction, self-doubt, lust, identity, independence and grief. Vox Rea’s sound is framed as indie pop noir, combining harmonies and string arrangements with a dreamy, dark-edged style.

Debut as Vox Rea

The self-titled debut Vox Rea appears in 2022. The record is written with contributions from fellow Canadian artists Luca Fogale, Begonia and Joël. Production is handled by Connor Seidel, Tim Buron, Derek Hoffman and Joel Stouffer. Hoffman is identified as a JUNO nominee, while the other producers are associated with acts including Charlotte Cardin, Matt Holubowski, Arkells, RALPH, The Elwins, Dragonette and Kayla Diamond.

Creative approach

Every part of the project, including the music, image and message, is created by the band itself. The group presents its work as a meditation on the place of its generation in the human story, with a focus on artistic expression and creative independence.