Behind the scenes: Stereoccult
- spiralhtx
- Dec 31
- 8 min read
Spiral had the opportunity to meet the minds behind Stereoccult , Houston's Post Punk maestros. Consisting of Vinn Mörgue ( Lead Vocals) , BR Fate ( Bass Guitar),
Heinous Davis (Drums) and Joseph3 (Synth). The group formed at the cusp of the Covid-19 pandemic a.k.a the great reset. With the uncertainty of what was to come , the band decided now or never , thus bringing Stereoccult to life.
Upon meeting the band , their work ethic and over all passion for music shined.
Each member bringing their own unique experience to the mix. A refreshing air of a brotherhood set in positivity , willingness to work towards their goals stood out. Each giving praise to the other , that can be felt both in their instrumentation on stage and in the studio. Vinn Mörgue and BR Fate sat down with Spiral to take a look behind the veil of Stereoccult.
Q&A with Vinn Mörgue
Born and raised on Houston's East side , Vinn Mörgue shared about his colorful upbringing.
What made you decide to become a musician/artist?
Vinn:Honestly, music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad was really the spark, he used to tell my older sister and me stories about playing in bands back in Mexico, and he'd always have a guitar nearby. That lit something in both of us. She became the singer of the family, and I gravitated toward drums and percussion. I joined the school band and stayed in it all the way through graduation.
Some of my favorite memories are of watching her perform at different events, she even sang at the Houston Rodeo once.
As a kid seeing all that, I just knew this was the world I wanted to be a part of. I never imagined I'd eventually end up fronting a post-punk band, but here we are. I honestly don’t know who I’d be without music.
(I could talk about this forever, so I'll leave it at that haha.)
When did you begin making music and how has your process changed between the start of vs now?
Vinn: That’s a really good question. I think I actually started making music around 2012-2013, when I downloaded FL Studio and started producing beats. As for writing lyrics that goes back a little further, probably toward the end of high school, around 2008-2009. My process back then usually started with a catchy bassline, then building drums around it. With Stereoccult, it’s a little different. Now I usually start by listening to the ideas BR Fate sends over. And honestly, BR is a machine when it comes to writing. His music making speed is insane and he just keeps cranking out bangers. For one of our tracks, “Rachel Blade,” I sent him this super basic demo with the most bare-bones bassline. He took that tiny idea and turned it into an absolute beast of a song. I really can’t say enough good things about BR.
What made you decide to learn your instrument(s)?
Vinn:I’d say what really pulled me into singing were the memories of watching my older sister perform in front of big crowds and seeing how much joy it brought people. That, plus the idea of actually getting to entertain a crowd with stage presence, really stuck with me. I used to watch old VHS concert tapes where the frontman would hype everyone up, and I always thought that was the coolest thing ever.
Though at first, I never imagined I’d have the guts to do it myself. I hated public speaking and would be a nervous wreck whenever I had to speak in front of large crowds, shit I was nervous as hell during our first show lol. But now? Man, I look forward to being front and center, leading the charge. It’s a rush.
I’d be lying if I said I don’t still get a little nervous, but the excitement of sharing our music and putting on a performance completely outweighs that. People go to concerts to see a show, and I’ll make damn sure they get an unforgettable one with us.
What inspired you to write your catalog?
Vinn: Lyrically, I write a lot from personal experiences. Although sometimes I just play out these made up scenarios in my head while listening to the instrumentals that BR sends over. Sometimes BR writes lyrics and all I do is tweak them to match the cadence of the song.
What would you say to other artists or creatives who are wanting to create as well?
Vinn: I would say, go for it! Don't let any negativity from people stop you from doing what you want to do. You'll find that there's WAY more people that will support your form of expression!
How has the process been creating your album?
Vinn: Oh man, it has been a long and very tedious one. We're in the middle of writing our 2nd album and I'm hoping we can have it out early next year. We just have a couple more songs we need to record for, after that comes the mixing process. I'm hoping we don't take too long to get these songs out. We have a lot of really good ones.
What are you looking forward to with your album/track?
Vinn: I'm hoping it's well received and that the songs end up on DJ's playlists! That, and to have it open more doors for us.
Lyrically what has been your favorite tracks in your discography and your most recent releases?
Vinn: Some of these aren't released but we have played them at our shows. My top 3 songs would have to be: Phantoms, Silver Tongue, & Treasure in flesh.
If I had to only choose from songs that are released, then I'd say: Treasure in flesh, Rachel Blade, Everyday is the end of the world, & Everybody's looking for someone tonight.
Special mention: Daga Obsidiana, our collab track con mi camarada de Danza Muerta. This one is a really good track, hopefully someday we could play it with him live. Maybe if we get a show together.
What is one track /lyrics/ piece of art in your catalog that describes your work the best?
Vinn: Phantoms, without a doubt. That song was born in the practice space. One of those rare moments where something just pulls itself together out of the ether. It felt less like we wrote it and more like it revealed itself. Lyrically it’s one of the pieces I’m proudest of, especially the final two lines.
The song dives into the emptiness of trying to find real love in an era where intimacy has been reduced to apps, swipes, and disposable connections. I wanted to capture that hollow feeling where longing and lust bleed into each other, and everyone’s chasing something real in a world built on instant gratification.
The last two lines, “Somos fantasmas en el obsidiano, unos fantasmas en el obsidiano,” tie it together. “Fantasmas” alludes to ghosting, and “obsidiano” is the black void of the smartphone screen . In the end, it paints a simple truth: we’re all just ghosts drifting through obsidian glass.
What is your most recent tour you’d like to share or what has been your favorite so far?
Vinn: Unfortunately we haven't had a tour, yet! But we did go out to San Antonio earlier this year, we played O'death. It's an absolutely awesome venue and we're hoping to go back there soon!
If you could make a dream tour, Who would be your dream tour mates?
Vinn: The Cure, Pink Turns Blue, & The Chameleons!
Coke or Pepsi?
Vinn: Maaan, JARRITOS! Uno de Tamarindo lol Or una Modelo! It's always Modelo time Foo haha
What do you want the listeners to know about your music and your project?
Vinn: I want listeners to know that we pour absolutely everything into these songs. Every track comes from a real place. Real emotion, real experiences, real intention. We write music for the people who need something to hold onto during the hard moments, and for the ones who want a soundtrack to their best memories. If our music can stay with you in those moments, then we’ve done our job.
I, Vinn, have also been working on a more electronic side project called Ultimo Velorio. It leans deeper into the darkwave/electronic side of what I love, and I’m planning to release a few tracks here and there soon. One idea I’m really excited about is a post-punk/darkwave cover of “Desvelado.” I wanted to explore it with the Stereoccult crew, but if it doesn’t end up fitting our roster, I’ll release that remix under Ultimo Velorio instead. Either way, it’s seeing the light of day lol.
Q&A With BR Fate
Houston born , New Orleans raised Stereoccult's own , BR Fate , described by his band mates and brothers in the craft , as a foundational architect of the project that is Stereoccult.
Each member gave phenomenal praise of BR , noting that he brings the pieces of creation together. Though he is seen as the architect of the band , each member's strength is considered and utilized through out the production process.
Not only in writing but in the creation of the sound , instrumentation , BR is highly loved and respected by his peers. The unity amongst members can not only be witnessed in the flesh but felt when the music hits the audience. Th crowd can not help but dance the night away with the decadent vibes of Steroccult. BR gave SPIRAL insight into the process.
What made you decide to become a musician/artist?
BR:I was always into art and music as a kid. So making music was a natural progression for me, and another way to express myself.
When did you begin making music and how has your process changed between the start of vs now?
BR: I started making music in the early 2000’s. At the time all I had was an acoustic guitar, a snare, a tom, and a 4 track tape recorder. Now with computers and modelers I can make music faster. Although I kind of miss the simplicity and limitations of my old 4 track.
What made you decide to learn your instrument(s)?
BR:I started playing guitar to learn how to write songs. I started playing bass after joining a punk band.
What inspired you to write your catalog?
BR:I started writing the first batch of Stereoccult songs in 2017, because I wanted to make post-punk music. As a band I think we’ve found what works for us, and we’ve continued to try to build a body of work that we hope will sit perfectly along side the music we like.
What would you say to other artists or creatives who are wanting to create as well?
BR:I would tell other artists to make music, or any type of art, for yourself first. Don’t worry if other people like it. And for sure don’t worry about an algorithm. Do it for yourself first.
How has the process been creating your album /track?
BR: It’s been kind of a long process due to lineup changes. But the actual recording has been pretty smooth, because we have the songs down.
What are you looking forward to with your album/track?
BR: We’ve been playing some of these songs live for a really long time. So I’m looking forward to getting the music out there for people to listen to.
Lyrically what has been your favorite tracks in your discography and your most recent releases?
BR: Lyrically my favorite song of ours is Everybody’s Looking For Someone Tonight. Me and Julio wrote the lyrics during the covid lockdown. It was directly inspired by the fact the people were isolated and couldn’t see each other. But the story in the song takes place after that. When things opened back up. So it was positive and forward looking at the time.
What is one track /lyrics/ piece of art in your catalog that describes your work the best?
BR: Phantoms is probably the one where the mood, lyrics, vocals, music, and structure are as close to perfect as we could get. Everyone shines in the one.
What is your most recent tour you’d like to share or what has been your favorite so far?
BR:We haven’t toured yet, but we played San Antonio earlier year. It was a great experience. Really fun crowd.
If you could make a dream tour, Who would be your dream tour mates?
It would be cool to put together a tour with other Houston bands like Civic Duties and Death of the Last Beautiful Jaguar.
Coke or Pepsi?
BR:Coke
What do you want the listeners to know about your music and your project?
BR: We appreciate everyone who has listened to our music, or came to shows. And we’re thankful to be apart of this new wave of post-punk bands.
I have a new shoegaze inspired recording project called Torn Apart By Tears that I’m excited about. And me and Harsh will be collaborating on something soon too.
