INTERVIEW + FEATURE: VIAA - 'ANIMAL STYLE'
“Like a shot of adrenaline” LA Based Artist, VIAA, energizes us to rise up and confront our self-doubt.
By Theresa Campanella 
Following her work with acclaimed artists, Doja Cat, Anderson, and Willow Smith, local LA artist, VIAA, is on the rise in her solo career with the recent release of her single ‘Animal Style’. With a light-hearted melodic vibe and soothing honeyed vocals, VIAA awakens our desire for self-discovery and introspection. Providing a source of optimism, with its uplifting tone it is a tune you want to turn up on your stereo, open your windows, and sing along to conveying relatable sincerity in her lyricism, she expresses her vulnerability whilst still emphasizing importance for self-empowerment. Listening to her honeyed voice and harmonic embellishments, we are inspired to get up out of bed, not compromising our success even in these complicated times.
INTERVIEW WITH VIAA:
We’re loving your recent release ‘Animal Style’ - it’s such an honest and vibey track. Was this song initially intended to spread awareness for mental health? Is that a common theme you write about?
Thank you! It was not originally intended to spread awareness for mental health, and while I’d written songs alluding to mental health before, I’d never expressed myself in as vulnerable a way as “Animal Style”. I go through waves of depression and anxiety, and writing “Animal Style” came from the feeling that I was living a passive life because of it. In the midst of writing it, a dear friend of mine took his own life and that impacted me heavily. Finishing this song became a way for me to actively process my emotions about it and myself. Once it was finished, it became a tribute to him and the song took on a meaning bigger than just my own personal experience. "Animal Style" is a song meant to spread awareness of mental health and encourage people to seek help when they need it; specifically, BIPOC who are disenfranchised and overlooked in regards to mental health.
How has the Midwest to LA move altered your music. In what ways do you think your hometown influenced the music you make now?
My hometown has influenced my music tremendously. There were many genres that were prevalent in my vicinity: pop, R&B, hip hop, emo, screamo, country etc. I also had a very formative emo phase lol. I listened to emo, indie and alternative rock and went to those concerts religiously. That really influences how I write music now: sort of like Ohio emo lyricism blanketed in sunny LA pop/r&b beats.
Have you been feeling inspired throughout the recent months? How do you balance music making, protesting and self care?
To be completely honest, I’ve not been inspired to write or make music over the recent months, although I still try to do it anyway. That’s not an exciting answer, but it’s the truth. The uncertainty of living in the midst of a pandemic and the awakening of the human/civil rights movement has really shook me. I’m inspired in different ways though: to look at life through a different lens than I did before, to educate myself, to learn how to use my voice and platform in service of those who really need to be heard. I haven’t quite mastered a balance of music making, protesting and self care yet, but things that have helped me are to disengage from social media for periods of time to reconnect with myself or go to the park alone and write down my thoughts, goals & things I’ve learned recently. I also go to therapy, which I highly recommend for everyone if possible. Thankfully through this movement, there are a lot of free or discounted offerings of therapists and mental health providers to Black people.
What is your writing process? Do you tend to start on guitar/keys, in sessions - something else?
I typically start writing on keys playing minimal chords then write lyrics to it, or I hear an instrumental beat and write what comes to my head while listening. In general, I try to write down thoughts, phrases or words that pop into my head throughout the day that could potentially become a song, and I revisit them when I’m writing music
What’s your favorite past release? Why?
I really love Retrograde. That was my first release where I truly felt involved in every aspect of the song, including production. I pushed for the song to be finished despite reluctance from others, I wrote/played keys and percussion, co-produced, and for the first time I featured another singer on the song (my good friend Jeshua wrote the second verse and we collabed on harmonies and adlibs throughout). I feel I became a new artist through that song realizing I have more control in my art than I had previously believed I had.
Has not performing live changed your release plans? How have you adapted to our new secluded release world? Are you feeling positive about creating in times of solitude?
I love performing live, so not being able to do it has been hard to reconcile as it was a huge aspect of engaging people with new releases. However, I also feel like performing live was a distraction (for me) from the other parts of my music career that I knew deep down I needed to revisit - consistent songwriting and vulnerability with myself.
In a weird way I feel like this new release structure has been necessary for me to reevaluate what’s important (and I’m privileged to be able to say that). I’m learning to put less emphasis and pressure on streaming numbers, playlists, or online attention in general. It’s reminding me why I started making music in the first place: to express myself and be the source of love and embrace that people need, not to please other people or get good looks online. The people that need my music will find it. If I want to feel more empowered in my art, I have to look within, believe in myself, and learn new independent skills. It’s a lot to take in, but I think learning how to create in times of solitude is a positive journey to be on.
Any other plugs?
I started a Patreon to connect more closely with fans during this time. I share BTS content, early access to songs, special discounts on merch etc: https://www.patreon.com/VIAA
My song “Animal Style” is out along with a lyric video on Youtube, and an official music video will be released soon: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiOxho-w8CTd5kizJQsVf2Q
I’m working on new music currently, but for now you can listen to my music on all streaming platforms as VIAA or buy it on Bandcamp: https://viaa.bandcamp.com/