Premiere: Velvet Ruin Cast A Gothic Glow On “Gemini / Gun”
Despite the sheer volume of musicians in Richmond, some genres remain underrepresented, if not absent, from the city’s broader sonic landscape. At times, these gaps get patched by musicians and bands that approximate the sound, labeling themselves as “adjacent,” “inspired by,” or even just slotting “ish” at the end of a style. Other times, people think the solution is in standalone songs or performances, where the music feels less like a full exploration of a sonic territory and more like a cheeky detour. For that reason, it’s always noteworthy when an act emerges that seems up to the task of genuinely filling a void, and even more exciting when that act transcends a single niche and proves it belongs as part of Richmond’s enduring music story.
That has been the case with goth band Velvet Ruin, who have steadily built a name since their debut in 2024. Concertgoers have noted their striking presence in an already crowded scene, pointing to their crafty talent, live ferocity, and captivating aesthetic. However, this excitement has only existed in the live space to this point, confined to fleeting moments across DIY stages and traditional venues. As strong as word-of-mouth can be, “you had to be there” only goes so far, and while some bands plateau or disband without ever offering more, it’s fortunate that Velvet Ruin is now ready to release their music to a broader audience.
This Friday, Velvet Ruin releases their dual-sided debut single, “Gemini / Gun.” Each song’s representation of the band’s sound differs while tethered by a theme of biting scorn, giving listeners the full scope of their range and reach. Rooted in the hallmarks of classic goth, though clearly shaped by a modern sensibility, this release doesn’t signal Velvet Ruin’s arrival as a vital voice in Richmond music. Instead, it cements them as a driving force that can shape and guide our nebulous future. Today, The Auricular is proud to premiere both songs before their official release, with an exclusive stream below and a deeper descent into each song’s sepulchral allure.
“Gemini” is a brooding confrontation with duality and duplicity that captures the turbulent nature of emotional strife. The song opens with a chugging riff reminiscent of “Barracuda” with momentum punctuated by the title’s invocation, before the band slips fluidly into a sway, twisting the rhythm with cagey grace. From there, the music fades into an hazy passage that’s suspended on the edge of release, bridging each section with a moment of thrilling pause. This tangled framework keeps listeners guessing with each permutation, a sentiment the song’s lyrics echo in bitter discontent.
“Who am I to you? What have you turned me into?” vocalist Chy Richey demands, as guitarist Z. Salsberry slashes through the mix, amplifying the sense of being viscerally attacked by someone’s betrayal. The lyrics trace the outlines of a relationship gone wrong, allowing “Gemini” to convey the turmoil’s full scope with its unsettling tone. The song’s most resonant moments come when Richey strips the lyrics down to their sharp essence, uttering a single “Gemini” to break the tension or letting the ache of a question linger in the air (“Will it ever be enough?“). By the closing verse, the serpentine emotions of “Gemini” fully surface: “And if I ever see you again\ I’ll be sure to look twice \ To see which face you’re wearing.”
“Gun” flips the script of “Gemini,” offering an intricate narrative over a groove stripped down to its mesmerizing core. Here, emotional volatility is no longer embodied by a dual astrological sign but by the imagery of a loaded and dangerously intimate weapon. “She is fighting for control\ She’s overgrown and her fuse is blown,” Richey sings directly over tinny drum taps, noodling guitar strings, and a prowling bass line. The music pulses with hesitant jitters while the vocals convey calm conviction, even as a destructive climax looms. When that moment arrives, the band offers a brilliant interpretation of the figurative bullet, tracking it not as a straight, rapid shot but along a curving trajectory that stalks its target through a careening guitar line.
In the second verse, the lyrics shift perspective with Richey fully stepping into the narrator’s point of view, heightening the song’s sly suspense. This pivot blurs the lines between the weapon as a tangible object and as a repressed manifestation of desire or anger, stoked by words that read as either a cryptic taunt or a fragile comfort (“I feel your grip when you wake up so scared and alone“). It’s left ambiguous whether ire or solace drives the second half, with vocals delivered in a chilling, detached tone that deepens the track’s unsettling atmosphere. When the lyrics conclude, that careening bullet riff returns, ultimately finding its target as the band unleashes a thrilling rise and release, paired with vocalizations that convey either pain or triumph, depending on your own perspective.
Both songs draw from the deep well of goth rock’s legacy. “Gemini” follows the gritty sound of tracks like “Spiritual Cramp” and “Romeo’s Distress” from Christian Death, while “Gun” calls back to the familiar, cavernous intrigue of seminal Bauhaus songs “Spy In The Cab” and “Mask.” Velvet Ruin pushes these stylistic influences into fresh territory, charged by the heightened emotion of a fractured world. The jagged edge of “Gemini” helps expose the instability at the core of all our identities, while “Gun” plays out like a cautionary tale of weaponized intimacy.
The contrast of vocals and guitar is crucial in the two songs, but the rhythm section of Julia Martin (drums) and Adrian Rocek (bass) is equally indispensable, locking in each beat with precision to convey rabid contempt and piercing alarm. “Gun” offers them a moment to shine within the song’s umbral soundscape, yet their presence is just as vital in “Gemini,” where they brace each turn with deliberate command, making the shifts feel intentional rather than capricious.
In writing these songs, the band described a gradual, collaborative process over the past year, emphasizing each member’s contribution to the music’s overall design. “Velvet Ruin has a very decentralized writing system,” Martin said. “We all end up contributing heavily to the creative vision.” Despite the grave tone of the music, the band kept the process engaging and even playful. “We have so much fun together writing and practicing,” Martin continues. “For every one song that we finish writing, there are twenty little side quests or joke songs or random jams that get left behind.”
Recording took place at Spacebomb Studio in Richmond this past June during a five-hour session, with extra guitar lines and vocal takes recorded in Martin’s basement. The final mix balances raw immediacy with careful nuance due to the band’s precise use of tension and texture. The energy of the band’s live sound translates well here, allowing moments of spontaneity to read as calculated risks that pay off big in the end. Timeless and urgent music is the result, akin to the shadowy grandeur of goth rock titans like The Cure and Siouxsie And The Banshees, cementing these songs as essential listening regardless of era.
Thankfully, the time is now for Velvet Ruin. Their music arrives with a clarity of vision and emotional intensity that demands attention, letting the evocative roots of goth rock not just live in modern times, but beautifully thrive. With “Gemini” and “Gun,” the band demonstrates a rare ability to covey desire and unease in a viscerally compelling manner, proving that goth rock’s legacy is truly alive and Velvet Ruin’s reign has just begun.
“Gemini / Gun” is set for release on Friday, October 24th. To celebrate, the band will be playing a special release show at The Camel on the same day alongside Shagg Carpet and Homey (tickets on-sale here).
To make sure you catch the band’s next release or show, make sure to follow them on social media.
