If you stepped into Viki's basement you'd think a bomb went off in a Radio Shack and took out the music aisle at the Toys 'R' Us store next door. Strewn about are soldering guns, cables, electronic parts, hot-wired toy keyboards, synths and absurd custom made electronic music instruments — all cast-off gizmos and toys Viki has used to create her own instruments and unique sound for almost a decade now.
Viki (formerly Lindsay Karty) started out as part of the nascent Detroit noise scene, playing her first shows right around the time Wolf Eyes came into existence as a two-piece. But there's always been a strong dance element to Viki's music too — kind of a hybrid of Adult.'s dystopian groove and the sonic assault of Wolf Eyes. Her one-woman live show is as aurally intense as an Adult. or Wolf Eyes show.
Lindsay shares her midtown Detroit apartment with boyfriend and fellow noise musician Gary Beauvais and their cat Cooper Whoolio. The remarkably chill Cooper was gift from noise godheads Lightning Bolt — perhaps explaining why Cooper is more than happy to nap in the basement while Lindsay's creating a din that'd drive most cats insane. Gary uses the upstairs as a studio for his noise alter-ego Mammal.
Out their back door is a bucolic slice of Detroit — a verdant back yard lovingly maintained by their landlady (and former lounge singer) Davida. "We love her," Gary says.
Adds Lindsay, "she's an amazing gardener and she drives a Crown Victoria. She'll call us up and ask, 'Are you practicing over there? I wasn't sure if my washer and dryer were acting up but if you're practicing that's cool.'"
