CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS 150: VASSY ON RETURNING TO SOME OF HER ORIGINAL MUSICAL ROots

Interview by Brooke Gibbs.

Dance Music Icon and Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter VASSY has a big year ahead. From releasing new music, to getting an award from APRA for reaching the one billion list for streaming numbers, she is once again proving she is indeed, ‘Supreme.’

We caught up with VASSY to talk about the latest release as well as her return to Australia in May for Darwin’s Bass in the Grass music festival.

FMM: Congrats on the release of your LP, Supreme. What’s the reaction been like? 

VASSY: Amazing! People have really been embracing this one. I think because it's got happy vibes, people are really feeling the energy, so it makes me happy to see that reaction from people. I'm surprised, to be honest, but I love all the positive feedback.

FMM: You’ve mentioned that Supreme was a chance for you to go back to some of your original music roots. What are some things you learned about yourself as a songwriter by going back to what started the journey for you?

VASSY: Yes, working on this album gave me the opportunity to go back to some of my original musical roots. Freedom in the studio is so exhilarating with no pressure to have to deliver anything specific, but just really create and have fun. It was very liberating and honestly, it came at a good time in my life. There's so much pressure to write records that will work on radio and now to just have the freedom to create music that feels good and is fun was amazing. I learnt a lot of things through this process. I think the most important thing is that I embraced being myself and remained authentically true to who I am. That's a very important part of being an artist as well, and something I value thoroughly. Ultimately, being true to myself is what led me to my success. It may take a little longer, but it's so worth it at the end.

FMM: I love this album because while there’s a fusion of all genres, the overall theme of the songs comes across as happiness and confidence. Can you tell us more about what inspired this album and why you chose the path of different genres?

 VASSY: I am in a supreme state of mind and in a supreme part of my life. I say this because I feel supreme. I am supreme in the sense that I feel at peace with myself and who I am and what I do and who I have become. It is a supreme state of mine, an inner peace. It sets the tone for the album and where I am at in my life is a very supreme chapter. I think because I was genuinely happy at the time, or I pretended to be, but fake it till you make it. Just kidding, but also not. You know if the body leads, the mind will follow . What I mean by that is, if you believe in the laws of attraction philosophy in that if you say things in a positive way, you attract positive energy. It is you who manifests your dreams and future. As Kevin Costner once said in the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.” In my mentoring, I have always encouraged kids to dream out loud and not be afraid to speak out their dreams and goals of who they want to be and what they want, or want to become. I try to also practice what I preach. Plus honestly, it was so much bloody fun making this LP! Playing with all the genres of music and the freedom to be me with no pressure, was invigorating. 

FMM: You recently collected your first platinum plaque from the National Music Publishers’ Association. Congratulations! What does this recognition mean for you as a creative?

VASSY: It's a huge honour. I's a very rare plaque. It's like the gems of all plaques. The National Music Publishers’ Association are the only people that can give out this award. It happens when your song goes platinum in America and is RIAA certified. The recognition is huge. It really is such an honour. It's a very difficult thing to accomplish. Not many people in the business get to have an award like this. I just feel proud and honoured to be recognised by the industry for my songwriting abilities and artistry. 

FMM: You earned this award from your single, Bad, which you wrote and recorded with David Guetta and Showtek. What do you think it was about this particular track that did so well?

VASSY: This song has now had almost 2,000,000,000 streams. In April, I'm actually going to be in Sydney to get an award from APRA for reaching the one billion list, which is basically a stream milestone. To reach one billion is so difficult and to almost be at two billion is surreal. Honestly, I don't know if I knew that when I wrote the song. Oh, my goodness, I would have done things differently but I'm so glad it connected with people all over the world. I think also at the time, my unique voice with the EDM production really created a sound. My song, Bad, created a movement in the EDM space. We really started a signature style that from there on, many EDM records tried to imitate. We influenced the EDM sound for quite a few years. It's crazy to think I was part of being responsible for that on a global level.

FMM: What a surreal moment that an earthquake shook L.A just as the plaque changed hands. What happened there?

VASSY: Ha, yeah! it literally shook my world. Literally, as soon as the plaque was handed over to me and my hands got on it, in that very moment the earthquake happened. It was the craziest thing. I don't remember the last time we had an earthquake; probably last year sometime. In that very moment, I think it was a sign from the universe or my Dad up in heaven, saying bravo to his daughter.

FMM: How did you celebrate this incredible achievement?

VASSY: I actually had to go to the studio after receiving my plaque. I ended up recording some vocals on a new song I'm working on and then I went to some friends’ house for dinner and had a nice glass of red wine. It was a good way to end the day 

FMM: I’m excited to see you’re going to be back in Darwin for Bass in the Grass 2024! You were in Darwin last year for Darwin Pride and you attracted a great crowd. What are you most looking forward to about Bass in the Grass?

VASSY: I'm really looking forward to performing for the festival because it's one of the best festivals not only in Darwin, but in Australia. It attracts a very eclectic group of people and I'm just proud to be up there with a whole bunch of locals and other musicians from around the world, to be entertaining our youth and local community. I'm very happy to share the stage with local musicians and give them an opportunity and a platform to share their talent. 

FMM: There’s some amazing artists on the lineup. Other than yourself, I’m really looking forward to seeing Middle Kids and Macklemore. Are there any artists from Bass you’re keen to see perform live or connect with?

VASSY: Oh, yes. It's a very nice mix of people. I'm just happy to see everyone perform.

FMM: I’ve seen you share on your Instagram story that you’ve heard your single, Krazy, playing while you’ve been at the gym. Does it take some time to get used to? Or how does it feel hearing your songs in public? Has anyone ever recognised you during these moments?

VASSY: I don't think it ever gets tiring. It's always great to hear your music randomly whether I'm at the gym or going shopping at the grocery store. It's playing in Coles. Sometimes, people go to their local, fresh market and my song is playing while they're shopping. It's really funny. Sometimes you get in the car and it's playing on the radio or you're at a shopping mall or something like that. I've definitely been recognised in the most random situations, which has really caught me off guard. For example, being recognised at the gym. I was recognised once when I went to do a blood test. The guy drawing my blood knew who I was. That was weird! I was also recognised at the orthopaedic centre when I went for my ankle. A lot of the medical staff that work with the surgeons are young and listen to a lot of my sound of music. 

 FMM: What’s your current favourite artist, song and album?

VASSY: It's so difficult to answer, because there's so many different songs I like right now from different artists and the songs that I like that came out a long time ago that I'm listening to. It's always tough to answer that one 

FMM: What do you have in store for the rest of 2024?

VASSY: This year is busy at the moment. My single, Krazy, is #3 across the US on dance radio. We are hoping for a number one. Fingers crossed that happens this week. After that, I moved onto my next single at radio. Meanwhile, the LP dropped a week ago. I’m hooting my music video next month for my new single that comes out in May. I also have a remix of one of the songs off the LP that comes out next month. I'm going to Miami next month to perform at the EDMA Awards. After that, I have a couple shows back in California at the House Of Blues for Live Nation. Then I'm getting ready to head to Australia to receive my Billions Award from APRA and then come to Darwin for Bass in the Grass.