rockyourlyricsHow do you usually write the lyrics of your songs?
For me, creativity happens when I’m isolated, so usually I write things walking around town at night. Usually I start with the verse, which I consider to be the story of the song. As a storyteller that comes more naturally to me, then I can work on a hook and so on.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing in songwriting?
The most important thing is songwriting is being genuine. You don’t have to be super poetic or worry about complex rhyme schemes or melodies, you just have to be real and people will resonate with that.
Are you ever scared of revealing aspects of your personal life/experience to strangers through your music?
I’m actually so incredibly shameless it’s embarassing. At my heart, I’m an entertainer and a storyteller so it actually comes pretty easy to me.
What is the best lyric that you ever wrote (the most meaningful for you)?
I had this song from an old band I was in, it was about my anxiety and panic disorder that I ended up overcoming. The line that meant the most to me was probably “I see life in hallucinations because real life doesn’t translate” and that’s still true now.
What inspired “Nobody Like You”?
‘Nobody Like You’ was written for another artist who passed on it, but it fit my style at the time so well that I ended up keeping it. It touches on unhealthy relationships, my self esteem, and the use of outside coping mechanisms to help you deal with heartbreak.
Do you remember the day you wrote “feelingdown”?
I do not. I don’t even remember who I wrote it about specifically. It’s about party life and drug addiction, so it could be any number of people I know.
When you will release a album/ep?
It’s a little up in the air right now, but just know if you’re a Vaines fan, you’ll have a packaged batch of songs this year, hopefully soon.
What are your plans for 2019?
Lots of things are planned for this year but I’m trying to play it by ear at the moment. The new single “Medicine” came out on the 8th, and definitely I’ll have more songs out this year.
To conclude the interview a short Q/A session, please answer the first thing that comes to your mind:
- Define in one word your song “Feelingdown”: Dingalinger.
- The best show you ever played: I threw up in my mouth at a show in Chicago on the first word of the first song in the set.
- The one thing that you must have in your backstage: Supportive friends and water.
- The soundtrack of your childhood: Top 40 hits from the years 1999-2005, also Metallica’s Black Album.
- Your favorite song lyrically speaking, but not written by you: ‘Love it if we made it’ by The 1975 is the best lyrical work of the 2010s.
- Last question is “unusual”, we want to know your best relationship advice: Don’t be afraid to break it off. Know when you’ve reached your ceiling with a person, and if your ceiling happens to be higher, don’t feel ashamed to move on. Also don’t leave the toilet seat up, you barbarian.
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