Pohgoh: “Nostalgia is powerful”

After reuniting last year, vocalist Susie Ulrey talks us through the past, present, and future of the beloved band

Pohgoh: “Nostalgia is powerful”

By Glen Bushell

Sep 22, 2016 16:00

Throughout the golden era of 90s emo, indie, alt-rock, or whatever you want to call it, there were many hidden gems buried in the scene. We all know the bigger names, the ones who are still going today, and those who came back to perform acclaimed reunion shows. But down in the fertile Florida music community there was a little band named Pohgoh. Their initial existence was brief, but their impact and inspiration can still be felt today.

“Long story short – we were flattered and humbled,” explains vocalist/guitarist, Susie Ulrey, when asked how it feels to have people still care about her band after all this time. “To know that a band that was only together three years, put out one album and handful of singles and only toured the US east coast three times has had this kind of reach even now… blows my mind.” The reach she is referring to in particular is the adoration that Pohgoh still received from around the world. “It’s kind of insane to see that after 20 years there have been recent covers popping up from Russia, Brazil, an entire set of our songs from a band in Japan which gave me goose bumps while watching the video, and a YA author in Brazil whose protagonist listens to Pohgoh!”

It’s not bad going really, but when you listen back to the glorious harmonies, spine-tingling lyrical narrative, and driving, punchy rhythms of Pohgoh’s music, you can see why people still retain their love for them. The demand for the band has sparked a handful of one-off reunion shows over the years, but in 2015, the band decided to do a little more with their time. “The last go around was so awesome we decided to make it more permanent,” enthuses Ulrey. “No expectations, no pressure. The original idea was to get together once a month, maybe write, play a show here and there – do it for the sheer enjoyment. So far, we’re right on track!”

It hasn’t been limited to just playing show’s either. Pohgoh released a surprise new track earlier this year, in the form of ‘Try Harder’, their first music together in 17 years. “It was like magic. We all fell into our old cues and idiosyncrasies,” says Ulrey, looking back at how the song came together. “We were practicing and Matt (guitarist) mentioned he was working on something. About an hour later we had a song arranged. And just like I used to, I had a crappy recording to take home and write a melody and lyrics to.”

The track sounded exactly like vintage Pohgoh, but with a very current, and absolutely relevant urgency to it. Ulrey tells us that there may even be some further recordings from the band sooner than you think. “It comes very easy and we’re kind of rolling with it,” she continues. “As far as shows are concerned, we’re all adults and have adult responsibilities: kids, jobs, mortgages. So we have a limited amount of time to devote to doing this. If something comes up that we’re interested in, we try to make it work.”

As well as Pohgoh, Ulrey also takes care of New Granada Records along with her husband, and Pohgoh drummer, Keith. They may not have been out of the loop completely in their time away, but that doesn’t mean to say they haven’t noticed the vast changes in the scene since 1997. “So many changes I’m not sure where to start,” laughs Ulrey. “Social media is obviously the biggest change. When we were actively playing, we used zines and networked with other touring bands. We booked tours via phone and written correspondence. As far as Pohgoh is concerned, it’s been a great way to network and find people who are into the band that we wouldn’t have known about otherwise.”

This leads us to talking about the stigma that can often be attached to being labelled “emo”. While Pohgoh had ties to that scene, there is something a little different to them, falling more into an indie rock category as opposed to emo. “You know, it’s funny you say that. I’ve always felt that way, too,” she explains. “Our biggest influences were Superchunk, Velocity Girl and Versus and honestly, I think it was just timing. We released a split with Braid and we had a song on the very first (Deep Elm Records) Emo Diaries comp. I wrote a song about someone who hurt me. I write about my feelings. I guess that makes me emotional or “emo” but it was never intentional or insisted that we be labelled as such. I don’t mind it; in fact, I take zero issues with it. It’s only brought good things to us and it seems there is one song in particular that resonates with listeners. It was an honest expression of an experience I had, so that makes me happy.”

“We embrace the punk rock DIY ethic and all of the ethos that comes with it,” continues Ulrey. “The emo movement came out of that. I’ll try not to heyday too much but in the 90s we played with all kinds of different genres and I think that universality leant itself to an indie rock band like Pohgoh winding up on a split 7-inch with a band like Braid.”

Of course, there has been the “emo revival” over the last few years. Whether you like the term or not, it has given way to new artists looking back to pioneering bands, and also seen a rejuvenated interest in many of them; including Pohgoh. “What’s the saying: everything that is old becomes new again?” says Ulrey, when asked what her take on it is. “Nostalgia is powerful. I do think there have been different waves of emo: Revolution Summer in the 80s in DC, Midwest emo from the mid to late 90s, third wave is what I consider more mainstream and accessible and finally I think this 4th wave is cycling back to the original aesthetic that got everyone here in the first place.”

But the story of Pohgoh is unfortunately not one that consists solely of high points. Ulrey was sadly struck with Multiple Sclerosis at the turn of the century. However, in spite of the challenge that it brings, Ulrey’s will and determination to not be held back is wonderful. “MS invaded my body 16 years ago so it’s a part of who I am,” she says, openly. “I choose not to let it define me. I don’t consider myself more extraordinary than anyone that deals with adversity, and everyone has challenges- all relative to their specific situation. Music is second only to breathing as far as I’m concerned, so it was never a situation I had to “get back into”’, per se. It was more about how to keep doing it with what I had to work with. It’s taken a lot of adapting, a lot of support from my husband and friends and a lot of frustration to get to where I am today. And the challenge is never singular; it’s constantly morphing. It keeps me on my toes. It forces me to be a little more resilient than I ever thought I’d have to or wanted to be, if I’m honest. I don’t take for granted the fact that I’m still able to do this.”

“It’s… complicated these days, but it does make for excellent lyric fodder. I’m stubborn, and whether or not that’s an admirable quality, it’s what is pushing me forward. I’ll keep doing it until I can’t do it anymore – and even then I’ll still try and find a way to do be musical in some form or another. Hopefully it never gets to that point. I’ll go ahead and declare right now that it never will. Problem solved!”

The high spirits that Ulrey remains in despite living with MS, and more importantly, her enthusiasm when it comes to creating music with Pohgoh, is nothing short of inspirational. Her attitude can hopefully inspire others in a similar situation to not be held back from pursuing what they love. “It is so crucial to be passionate about something. It keeps your mind sharp and focused,” she explains. “Being a songwriter is a therapeutic function for me. There’s no way I would be as “ok” as I am if I didn’t have that outlet to balance out the litany of physical challenges I face. So yes – go and create something.“

Aside from a forthcoming slot at Fest 15 in Florida, the future of Pohgoh is still unwritten, but there definitely is a future for this very special band it would seem. “Maybe some recording, maybe some more shows… We shall see,” says Ulrey, not giving too much away. “The plan is to not have a plan. That’s the key.”


Pohgoh will play at Fest 15 on the weekend of October 28th – 30th in Florida, and further information about the band can be found over at their Facebook page.

Photo by: Michael Lothrop