Today we’d like to introduce you to Vox Nostra
Hi Vox, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Vox Nostra began in 2022 when Nathan Buckhoff (our vocalist) teamed up with Jahaziel Ramirez, our former bassist. They found each other on a Facebook group and were united by a shared passion for creating music. Eager to bring their vision to life, they set out to build a band and soon found Steven Pedini (drummer), Juan Diaz (guitarist), and Kevin Neiman (guitarist) in the fall of that year.
Together, we spent the next year writing, culminating in the release of two singles in October 2023. However, like many bands early in their journey, we faced some challenges. Creative and personal differences led us to part ways with Kevin, and we redefined our direction as a group. Our live debut came in December 2023, where we had the incredible honor of supporting Texas Deathcore legends, Upon A Burning Body. This performance cemented our presence in the Houston music scene. In spring 2024, after Jay’s departure, we welcomed Andrew Dahdouh (guitarist), who brought a fresh perspective to the band.
Now, we’re gearing up for the release of our first EP, which represents two years of hard work and a new direction for Vox Nostra. Working with producer John Douglas and album artist Justin Si-Set Abraham, we have taken our musical and artistic vision to new heights.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every band faces challenges, and Vox Nostra is no exception. One of the earliest obstacles we encountered was navigating creative differences within the group. While it’s natural to have varying perspectives, it became clear that our vision and commitment for the band wasn’t aligning with one of our members. Parting ways with Kevin, our former guitarist, was a tough but necessary decision for the band’s growth and cohesion.
Another significant hurdle was the lineup change in spring 2024, when we parted ways with our bass player, Jahaziel Ramirez. Finding the right person to fill that gap felt daunting, but Andrew joined us and brought an energy that immediately felt like the missing piece
Beyond lineup changes, writing and performing a very niche and technically demanding style of music has been a unique challenge. Technical death metal isn’t the most accessible genre, and it requires us to constantly push our creative and technical limits. Breaking into the music scene as a new band was also no small feat. Our debut show in December 2023 was a major milestone. Stepping into the live music world after months in the studio writing, was intimidating.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets Vox Nostra apart is our relentless drive to challenge ourselves musically and artistically. We love technical music—the kind that pushes boundaries and requires us to grow as musicians. For us, it’s not enough to create a song that’s just “heavy.” Every track we write is a piece of a larger mosaic, contributing to a cohesive story or message across an entire album.
Our goal is to create more than just songs; we want to build experiences. Each riff, rhythm, and lyric is part of something bigger, connecting to themes and ideas that give the music depth and purpose. Whether it’s exploring emotional struggles, philosophical questions, or abstract concepts, we aim to craft music that resonates on multiple levels.
This approach is paired with a commitment to precision and technicality. We thrive on complexity—not just for its own sake but as a way to express something profound. It’s about finding the balance between the cerebral and the emotional.
What truly sets us apart, though, is our refusal to settle. We’re constantly pushing ourselves to go deeper, write smarter, and play better. That dedication, paired with a love for storytelling through music, is what defines Vox Nostra.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking is at the core of what we do as a band. Choosing to pursue music is a risk in itself—it’s a path filled with uncertainty, where the odds often feel stacked against you. But for us, it’s not about avoiding risk; it’s about embracing it as a necessary part of growth and creativity.
Every step of this journey has involved risk. Playing in front of strangers for the first time was nerve-wracking. Investing in rehearsal rooms, gear, merch, and promotions without any guarantees of success required both faith and commitment. Even the act of writing and performing such a niche and technically challenging style of music feels like a gamble at times.
To us, risk isn’t something to fear; it’s a gateway to opportunity. Without risk, there’s no reward. Every time we’ve stepped out of our comfort zone—whether it was playing our first live show or making tough lineup changes—we’ve grown stronger as a band. Taking those leaps has taught us resilience, creativity, and how to adapt to whatever comes our way.
We believe that risks are worth taking when they’re rooted in passion and purpose. The uncertainties are outweighed by the possibility of creating something meaningful and connecting with others through our music. If anything, it’s the risks that make this journey so rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.voxnostratx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxnostratx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voxnostraofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VoxNostraTX
- Other: https://voxnostra.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits
Photos were taken by Madison Rojas (@wilogallery) and Jesse Guzman (@thrashpanda.htx)
