INTERVIEW: VITALIA: FUTURE POP ICON
Having previously attended talent Avery Jane's Big Thursdays open mic night once before with one of my best friends, I wanted to go back and make someone else discover the magic. This time around, I brought my mom. I wanted her to experience live music in a cozy and safe environment. Avery Jane's weekly event at Cafe Trouble was the perfect place to do that. Vitalia was the featured artist of the night. Was I familiar with her or her music? Not at all! That's the beauty of open mics: discovering gifted singer-songwriters from all over Montreal (or the world even) with whom I might get to sit and chat. That's what happened after seeing Vitalia perform that night. Her infectious positive energy and incredible vocal abilities made me want to know her story.
You recently filmed your second music video for your latest release Molly” . How did it go? How different and/or similar was it to your first experience? Is there anything you learned during your first video shoot that you were able to apply during this recent video shoot?
My second music video was definitely very different from the first one. I think as an actress I have done a lot of work on my craft. As a singer-songwriter, I also have done a lot of work on my craft. The first time I did a music video, I don't think I knew very much what I was doing. I was like: "I want to do a music video because it's going to be good for my CV. People are going to see me and know that I am a singer-songwriter". I didn't know what I was doing and invested a lot of time, money, and energy and I don't think as many people as I wanted to saw it. I didn't necessarily do much promotion for it. For this music video, not only was the actual experience on set more clear because I hired people that guided me a lot more and knew how to take everything from one step to another. I also hired a PR agency for this particular project so I know my song will get more exposure for the first time. My video will get more visibly to hopefully people who don't even know me as an artist. That's kind of the point. I don't want to say my first music video was a flop. It was a good experience, I learned a lot. I think I have 3K views which is not bad but you know, I have 3.4k followers on Instagram. It would have been nice to know at least some people who don't know of Vitalia as an artist have seen it. I don't know if that is necessarily that much the case. That's the thing with music videos or anything a singer-songwriter does in the first place, you take these little steps, you make mistakes, and learn. It all accumulates and you progressively go from one specific level to upgrading and becoming a lot better at your craft.
Vitalia's first music video for her single "Too Naive"
It was a very different experience. The storyline was very different. I worked with a different team. They enabled me to create a more precise, clear story. I didn't have to do all of the work in regards to hiring and casting people. I just wanted my first music video to be something fun. For "Too Naive", I wanted to have the role of the popular girl who had her two sidekicks like "Mean Girls" and the love interest who kind of fucks me over and cheats on me with one of my friends. I wanted it to be dramatic for no reason. It was very dramatic but I didn't feel like the story was particularly compelling compared to the one in "Molly". In "Molly", I am referring to a person whose love is kind of like a drug and it takes me on these highs and lows. I think the music video really captures that idea well.
Did you still have fun during your first music video shoot?
I did! I had a lot of fun. I think it' just that I had a lot more freedom with the second one because I didn't have any responsibilities. My responsibility was to be an actress. I took a lot of responsibility organizing the first music video. I felt like I had more to manage on set. I wasn't able to concentrate as much on my performance; thus, it wasn't as good. I don't think I had the experience I needed. I have been more acting (more work on camera) since which has led to be a better actress. The type of people I hired for this project really believed in me and I felt it. They really gave me the space to explore circumstances as an actress that I don't think I have ever explored before on camera. I felt extremely comfortable. I have never cried on screen in authentic way. In "Molly", they told me to just improvise and it came out. It just made sense with the circumstances of the story. I was like: "Holy shit! I didn't know that I could go there and get to a point where I am actually acting but it feels very genuine".
Vitalia's second and latest music video for her single "Molly"I know you from your music. However, you also do acting. Can you tell me a little more about how you got into singing, writing, and performing? How did you get into acting? Did you get into music or acting first?
Funny enough, I started singing when I was a kid. I'm Ukrainian. The Urkrainian community has a lot of singing. I sang at an Ukrainian school. We had choirs. We had different events where we would sing as a community. I went to different camps where we also sang a lot of tradtional Ukrainian Folk songs. We would harmonize those songs. I feel like from a young age, I was trained to do different harmonies. Apart from that, I think my love for music has always been there. I performed at Ukrainian festivals in Montreal for a little while (since I was kid, from 6 to 12 every year). After a little while, I became too old. You hit that adolescent stage.
In highschool, I discovered theater. In sec 3 (I think), I chose the theater option. I don't even exactly remember where it came from. I just wanted to try it out. Honestly, it shaped a lot of who I am. I was always outgoing. It was a good thing for me to do theater. After high school, I decided to continue that. In my second year of theater, one of my teachers asked if we felt comfortable auditioning for the singing role. Someone had to sing a song at the very end of the performance. I remember that one specific moment that shaped my decision on why I went to music school. At the end of our opening night, I remember people coming backstage and telling how good of a job we did. Acting wise, I wasn't nervous. I did a good job. However, because that performance was the last thing I did in the play, I remember balling my eyes out because I felt like I did a disservice to the play. I sang but it was really not good. I was so critical of myself. "Holy shit, I just ruined this whole performance." People were like: "No, obviously not". The fact that I felt such a deep pain because I felt like I wasn't good at what I was doing made me think: "Why don't I study this to become good at it? So it does not affect me as much and I become good at the thing I love doing." I think those 3 years of theater school helped me a lot in developing and discovering who I am but at the same time, there was this certain trauma that I wasn't good enough to sing. Singing was more of a passion and I didn't have the courage to do it until that specific event happened. I did a year of musical theater singing classes with a friend of the director of that play actually. It was very helpful. After that, I applied to Concordia; got into the program. I did a year in music and realized I wanted to do Jazz. Now, I am doing my last year of Jazz vocal performance degree. I had a songwriting in my first year and I showed some of my new University friends a few of my songs and they were like: "Holy shit, this is good!" They would not tell me this if they didn't actually believe it. "If they believe in me, I should start believing in myself." A lot of seeds were planted. I started my journey as a singer-songwriter in the fall of 2021. I started writing more, especially through that song writing class that I had. Ultimately, I met a few people in music school who helped me start recording that music.
Would you say you're still hard on yourself sometimes?
100%! The thing is I think I have found a good balance between being critical of what could have been better and also knowing at the time that was the best I could do. We are going to have different energy levels every single day. We might have slept badly. We might have gone through an emotional rollercoaster. Somebody in our family had an issue with us that day. Everybody is going through life circumstances and because you were clouded by all of these emotional things or physical things (sometimes, you're just tired or have certain illnesses) you will feel different on a given day. I performed sick at some point. I thought to myself: "I hope people know this is not the best I could do." At the same time, if they're not going to know, you still have to embrace the fact that's the reality and they will see you right now (even if it's their first time seeing you performing) and you kind of have to go with it. Ultimately, I think it gave me a lot of freedom to embrace that feeling of like: "Okay, I am doing the best that I can with what I have in this present moment". I think I found a good balance between being critical of myself in ways that help me push forward but not too critical that it stops me from taking risks or undertaking new projects.
You have released 7 singles so far. Can we expect an EP or a full-length album in the near future? Is that something you are looking to do or do you prefer to keep on releasing singles for now?
Right now, I am trying to build my audience. I find it easier to release single by single because I have a shot to submit all of those songs for an editorial playlist on Spotify or Amazon Music. It gets more visibility. There is no point in me releasing a whole bunch of songs if only 100 people are going to listen to them. That's why I have been releasing one song at a time; try to create some hype. Unfortunately, when I checked my social media statistics, sometimes it's so discouraging to see. Okay, pre save my single. Listen to my single. I put the link in my story. Sometimes, 2 people max. have clicked on the link. "Wow, I put so much time and energy for 1 or 2 people to click on this". I believe in what I do. There will come a time when my efforts will be rewarded. Releasing an EP or an album won't be worth the time, energy, and financial return without an audience. As a singer-songwriter, and performer, I am kind of like a business owner. It's my business and I'm investing into it. I am paying these producers, these musicians to help me come up with good arrangements for my original songs so that other people like it. I am not going to get a return on my investments unless I am hired to do a show. Shows are not necessarily at the biggest venues right now so I won't get a huge return on my investments. I also won't get a huge return on my investments in regards to the music that I have on platforms. When I do get my little paychecks, it's 50 cents at a time and I sometimes invest thousands of dollars on one specific song (sometimes more depending on if I hire a PR agency, if I did a music video).
I am planning on dropping an EP. Right now, I am doing a waterfall release strategy. I am releasing one single at a time. In the end, I think I am going to trick people; "Hey, it was actually an EP this whole time but you didn't know". That's why I made people listen to the songs individually first. It's going to be my first EP and I am planning on releasing it in the spring of 2025. What a Shame will be the first song featured on there. All of the following songs will probably be on there too.
I discovered you and your music at Avery Jane’s open mic at Cafe Big Trouble. What would you say to any aspiring artists who hesitate to perform at open mic nights? Why is it worth it to show up and/or perform at open mics?
Any circumstance in which you get to talk to other performers or see other performers is good experience because you get to learn how to behave yourself (as a performer). ''Okay, they make a little joke. They explain what their song is about before they play it. They make their audience sing". You can kind of take a few pieces that you feel like you as an individual connect to. Something I connect to a lot is making the audience sing. Networking: If you go to an open mic, you will meet other singers, songwriters who might be able to offer you opportunities like shows. To be honest, I haven't been to a lot of open mics in my life. As I mentioned previously, I am very critical of myself especially when it comes to my guitar playing. Because I am in a Jazz program, I play with professional guitar and piano players. When I come on stage, dabbling, doing some shitty chords, I kind of feel like an imposter. Even though I am a good singer, I am so distracted by trying to be a good piano or guitar player. I feel very insecure in that environment. I think it's good to put yourself outside of your comfort zone which is why I will be attending more open mics as I go.
I remember this performance (the first time I met Avery). The people who hired me for that gig had only seen me perform with a full band where I am at my most comfortable. Therefore, the first time Avery saw me perform I was in a context where I was playing for myself. I kept making mistakes on the piano. My voice sounded weak. I was like: "Holy shit, these people are seeing me for the first time but this is what they're seeing. They don't know what else I can do." It's about accepting your ego. They might see me later and be surprised. What they think of you is out of your control. Avery still saw something in me. Maybe she understood I was nervous.
Open mics are a great opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself in a lot of ways. It's very vulnerable to perform if you don't have experience performing in front of audiences. You will be surrounded by other musicians. It's intimidating because they might be better than you. They might know more about guitar. It's still a way for you to learn; get comfortable with the discomfort.
We talked about you being critical of yourself. After every performance, do you write down what went well and what could be improved? Do you take mental notes?
I am someone who journals quite a bit. Sometimes, I will be writing about certain things that popped up for me. Usually, from one show to another, I just take mental notes and try to apply them as much as I can into my next shows or next rehearsals . If I am performing on stage, I'm like: "Holy shit, people really love this song". I should do this song at my next show. Sometimes, I plan out little points of what I'm going to say. "This song needs a bit more explanation about what it means to me." Because I come from a theater background, I think I am very much used to improvising in life. I have done a lot of theater improv. I sometimes don't remember mental notes. Most of the time, I do remember the important ones because they made an impression on me. If somebody comes to talk to me and is like: "Wow, your song Molly!" People are really connecting with that one. "Okay, how can I promote it? Maybe that's why I should make a video for it." The more I do shows, the more the same kinds of things come up. Thus, I know what to focus on more. It's the repetition of little things that come up that make mental notes stick more for me.
Do you have a favourite song you covered?
I don't know if it's my favourite song but I often do a mash-up of "American Boy" with my song "Too Naive" because it's the same chord progression. I find that medley very fun to do. I have already done that song as a samba mixed with my original funk tune "Too Naive". I really like doing Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape". You get people to sing the woohoo part. I love doing any song that has these hooks that people already know. I did Olivia Rodrigo's "Good 4 you" at some point and everyone knew the lyrics. "Oh my god, I love it. I don't even need to sing." I remember in October of last year, I did a Halloween show. It was basically a Pop covers show.
As someone who is passionate about music and acting, do you have a favourite movie soundtrack? If you had the chance to write a song (or several) for a soundtrack, what kind of movie (a blockbuster such as the Marvel movies, a romantic comedy, an Indie film) would you like to write a song for?
I haven't necessarily considered myself as the type of person who writes songs for movies. I think it takes a specific type of skills, especially compositional skills, to pull off a soundtrack. If one of my songs was used in a tv show, it would be some coming of age story where a teenager is going through a break up or she's going to her first party and "What a Shame" is playing. The main character, who is a girl falls for another girl. She would be like: Oh my god, I'm discovering myself!" "Molly" would be playing in the background. "Molly" is about being in love with a woman basically. I think my songs definitely have the potential of being placed in tv shows and movies.
I really like the work of Hans Zimmer. I remember listening to the "Interstellar" soundtrack and feeling like I was in a movie. That's a special feeling! I have a playlist called "Main Character Moment". I like seeing myself as the main character and I love listening to these soundtracks to feel like I'm the main character. I wouldn't be able to pull something off like Hans Zimmer. That's why I really appreciate and value his work. It always feels so big and grandiose.
One of my inspirations is Florence and the Machine in regards to songwriting. A lot of her songs (from album "Ceremonials" especially) have dark, cinematic music. On my next EP, I am trying to recreate some of those sounds and some of those cinematic aspects. I love Coldplay, especially their earlier albums. I love everything that gives that grandiose feeling of being part of this world that's bigger than you as an individual.
What is your definition of success as a singer and as an actor? Is success a question of numbers (streams, number of people in attendance)? Is it more the impact your art has on people? Is it more about you constantly getting better at creating and performing?
Success to me is being able to live off my craft (touring, movie sets, releasing songs); making enough money to the point of being comfortable purely based on those incomes. Obviously, if I have some extra income from other stuff, great! I want to focus my time on creating music, being on tv and movie sets, and acting. As I grow up, I might try different things. I think human beings inevitably change. I might get into directing. That would be a very fun challenge for me to undertake. If someone offered me an opportunity to compose for a movie, why not give it a shot? Also, as you mentioned, having people connect to your songs. I think that's special. When I write my songs, sometimes, it's just a therapeutic outlet for me. When I release my songs to the world, people can come up with a different definition of what a song means to them. I remember somebody coming up to me after a show being like:" I feel like you wrote this song for me. I went through that exact situation." I really love the feeling of "I wrote something to make myself feel better but you can connect and
make your own story within the story I created." It's a very beautiful thing to be able to kind of create something that speaks to masses. Even if I change one person's life it is success in itself. Any time that I'm on stage getting the chance to share that presence with an audience and them singing back to me, dancing, seeing the happiness on their faces, it makes my day.
Being an actor, does it make it easier and more enjoyable to film content (Tik Tok videos, Instagram reels) to promote your music?
I don't think filming content requires people to be outgoing but it's easier for outgoing people to get into content creation. Because I have a theater background or because I'm comfortable with myself, I think I've become good at creating content. I still had to force myself. The only way people are going to find out about my music is if I create content. As I was saying: "Music is a business. My artistry is a brand." I have to come up with concepts people will relate to. Some people do it in an improvised manner like: "Let's vlog what I'm doing that day." I might vlog in that way in regards to posting stories if I feel like it. This morning, I woke up and felt like my cat was being weird. "Let's film this because this is so funny!" I felt comfortable at that moment doing that. There might have been a morning where I didn't feel comfortable filming it or wasn't in the mindset because I didn't have any makeup on or I was still in my pajamas. I think there is a certain aspect that I do show on social media that I might not always show. I'm trying to balance being present with myself and being like: "Okay, I feel like doing this right now." I think everybody needs a push to get into that in the first place because the reality is in this day and age, you have to be a content creator. Some people will make it without being one but it requires a lot of luck. I rather put more chances on my side and put a lot of work, time, and energy into doing this. The more I have done content creation, the more I have discovered the fun of it. I don't have to think of it as a chore. There are days where I'm more willing or happy to do it. There are days where I'm like: "This is part of my routine, got to do this video."
It's not something that's impossible for anybody else. I think if someone wants to do content creation they should start and practice. My videos used to be ass. Sometimes, I get people whom I haven't seen in a little while randomly bump into me: "Hey, I have been seeing your stuff!" That's only because I have been posting content and that's the only reason why they know I'm a singer-songwriter. People who haven't seen me in three years are like: "Oh you've changed. You do more singing now."
Do you plan ahead of time the content you film?
It depends. For example, I know I'm releasing "Moly" on the 25th of October which is why I'm starting to film and edit videos (example: When I'm the metro doing nothing.). In that case, I started filming during my last trip in anticipation for the release in October even though I didn't know when it would be released. I try to come up with concepts that people would be interested in or that are related to the song or even trends sometimes. "Why don't I try starting a trend?" I was shooting my new music video and at some point, I was like: '"Why don't we do a choreography?" I was with three actors playing my friends. We already had the friend dynamic. Because I am not necessarily a great dancer, I am like: '"Okay, maybe a bunch of people will think this is a great song." I kind of want to do that trend. Maybe, it will pick up. I am excited to put it out there and see how it does especially with the PR agency.
Content creation is weird. Some things or concepts I planned in advance that I think will do super well don't do super well. Then, the most improvised content does work well. "Okay, people like it when I am quirky and more unhinged than planned out." It's kind of like analyzing people's psychology based on statistics you get from the algorithm. It's a science to a certain extent.
On a musical level and on an acting level, what would you say are some of your wildest dreams?
I keep saying I'm the next Dua Lipa. I really love her music. I remember being a 6-year old and thinking: "I'm going to be a Pop star, a Rock star someday". I do think I have always wanted to have a certain influence. I do think I can teach younger generations, set an example, and be a role model to a certain extent. There are a lot of famous people who don't do great with their fame. There are people who do amazing things. We need more artists who spread good energy, set the example. You can be a kid, have this dream, and accomplish it if you believe in yourself.
"I have been saying Dua Lipa but at same time, I'm like: No, I am the first Vitalia."
Hayley Williams, Florence and the Machine are such big inspirations to me. ABBA as well. ABBA's music spreads such a positive message. We all find comfort in listening to music. We have such a good time attending concerts, screaming lyrics that we know and connect to. I remember being at Florence and the Machine's concert in 2018 at Osheaga and there was this one specific moment where she was like: "Put your phones away". It was the first time I felt people looking around and at each other. The whole show, she was contemporary dancing. She looked wild but so free. She had that energy about her. We were witnessing this present moment together and super happy to be in each other's presence. We were grateful to be in that moment.
I feel like we need more artists who are aware of their impact but also try to spread a positive message. You know this world is already so fucked up, so many bad things happening. Let's be in tune with our feelings. If we do the inner work, inner healing we'll realize that a lot of the things we think are problems in our lives are actually a reflection of something you're feeling interiorly. I think a lot of people don't take the time to witness their own feelings. I want to be a role model and spread that message: "The world is a beautiful place but we have the power to make it more beautiful by tuning in with ourselves first".
Who was your role model growing up?
I would probably say ABBA for the positive vibe they have. Their music is so groovy but so poetic, sad, and honest depending on the song. I feel like people know "Dancing Queen", "Voulez-vous", those good vibes songs. Everytime I am out dancing with my friends and hear those songs, I'm like: Holy shit! Yes! That's exactly what I want to hear right now!" They also have those very introspective songs; "Slipping through my Fingers". They talk about having a little girl (or child) growing up and not knowing where all of the time went and thinking about how they should have spent more time with that child. These are very sad lyrics about realizing your child is growing up. "Thank you for the Music" is so wholesome; let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that we have this talent for music and we get to share it with the world. I recommend people to listen to ABBA more in dept. There is also this very famous Ukrainian band, Okean Elzy I really appreciate and value. It's Rock. It's Pop. They gave me a Radiohead vibes; the Alternative side of it all. Their lyrics are so special and poetic. I am going to see them for 4th time soon.
Would you like to share more of your wildest dreams?
I do plan to be at all of the big music festivals in the world (including Osheaga). I want to have an impact in different places, different cultures. I want to get to know about different cultures through traveling. I know tours take so much time and energy that you don't have time to visit the countries. I am an independent artist and if I'm in charge of hiring a tour manager, I'll tell them: "Hey, I want to be in every city for at least two days. One where I perform and the second one, I get to explore."
In regards to acting, part of me thinks I will make it as a singer first and that is what will lead me to get roles. Funny enough, Dua Lipa started acting recently. The Montreal acting industry has been a little dry for me personally because of my type cast. My brand as a singer-songwriter is me. I think it's going to reflect in the characters that I can play. So my dreams are playing big festivals, being on big screens, big movie premieres, and hopefully having a good impact on the world.
Can you share one of your favourite musical performance memories?
I do think the most special memories that I have are from the Florence and the Machine show I mentioned. I saw Dua Lipa at Osheaga in 2022. I remember thinking: "She has such a presence, is an amazing dancer, an amazing singer". I think that's the first time that I thought of dancing as being part of who I am as a singer-songwriter. If I want to get to that level, I need to be able to learn choreographies. It takes a lot of time for me to learn choreos. I need to train that muscle. I'm going to a dance class after this. I have been taking it seriously because I do want to be a well-rounded performer and be good in all aspects. Not only do I need to be a good singer but I need the cardio to sustain me throughout an hour and a half performing and being able to change from one costume to another. I live for the adrenaline.
Recently, I have been enjoying a lot of local artists. I do inspire myself from a lot of my colleagues in the music industry. There is beauty in realizing we're such different artists, we have different ways of writing, performing, different voices and tones, genres. There is no right or wrong way to be a performer. I inspire myself a lot from people like Yzabo, Avery Jane, Manella.
What about favourite memories from your performances?
Every full band show I do gets better and better. I remember that show on July 17th. I was told: "I have been with you since the start and you have come a long way." It feels good to be surrounded by people I really value as musicians but also as friends. The more we'll be performing, the more we'll be touring together, it's going to be like a family for me. That bond is already there and it will only grow from here. These people believe in me enough to make my music better by being amazing at what they do. I remember my piano player Sam Fortin telling me it was the best show we played together. Words of affirmation are really nice to hear especially in a career where you don't see the benefits right away. It's a slowburn.
Whether it was your first time reading an interview/article of mine or you are a happy repeat customer, thank you so much! I will forever be grateful for any friend or stranger who takes the time to read my carefully chosen words. Thank you to Vitalia for being so kind and generous! As usual, with any article or interview, I hope this latest blog post (and last of 2024) has made you curious about the featured artist. If you are an aspiring singer-songwriter yourself, I hope the content of this interview has provided you with insightful information and even some motivation. Aren’t we all trying to leave our mark on the world one way or another?
Happy and safe holidays, everyone! See you all in 2025!
Your favourite interviewer/blogger forever,
Ariane
Comments
Post a Comment