Hailing from Chicago, Vanda is a singer-songwriter-producer who made the bold move to Los Angeles in 2018 to attend the prestigious Musicians Institute.
That same year, she made a significant contribution to rapper Lucidious’ album “Enough” co-writing “Right Reasons”.
Fast forward to 2023, and Vanda’s music has been streamed by over 1.5 million people. Her popularity continues to soar as she experiments with new sounds and genres, drawing inspiration from artists like Charlie XCX, Audrey Nuna, Remi Wolf, and Julia Wolf, as well as songwriters like Sasha Sloan and Jessie Reyes.
Vanda’s unique blend of talent and dedication has earned her a devoted fan base and caught the attention of major players in the music industry. With her enchanting, sweeping voice and serene yet ecstatic production, Vanda has firmly established herself as a bona fide hitmaker on the rise.
Anticipation is building for the release of Vanda’s latest album, “Sober in Another Life,” set to drop in July. The first single, “Indigo,” showcases her undeniable prowess as a triple threat, having written, produced, and sung the track herself.
The song delves into the beginnings of a long-distance romance, further demonstrating Vanda’s ability to connect with listeners through relatable storytelling.
As Vanda’s star continues to rise, fans can expect even more captivating music that pushes the boundaries of genre and showcases her extraordinary talents as a singer, songwriter, and producer. With her finger on the pulse of contemporary music and an unwavering commitment to her craft, Vanda is well on her way to becoming one of the most influential artists of her generation.
What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist?
I would say my ability to navigate different genres of music while staying consistent and accurate to my voice is something I’m proud of and have developed over the past couple of years.
What is your creative process when making music?
I have a few different creative processes – one more free form when I’m creating with my main collaborator, Joel Woods, where we get to experiment with sounds and ideas on the spot and come up with ideas on the mic, so to speak, which is always so much fun & then I have a more thought out approach to creating which is usually me alone in my studio coming up with different song concepts and melodies.
How long have you been making music and what attracted you to it?
I started writing music at age 12. I come from a family of musicians, so growing up around music definitely played a huge role in developing my love and passion for it! I performed in my first musical at 3 years old and caught the performing bug very early on but once I learned about the concept of songwriting, I was completely hooked on it & decided to dedicate my life to music right then and there.
What is the biggest challenge you have had to overcome as a band/artist so far?
I think being an independent artist comes with many challenges. As a female, I have dealt with my fair share of misogyny in the industry. Because of those experiences, it was essential for me to claim autonomy over my sound which is what initially prompted me to get into producing. Once I was able to have more confidence in my ability to communicate my ideas, a lot of the challenges I faced in the past started to dissipate and clear up more room for the art I wanted to make!
What streaming sites do you think offer the most value to a band?
Although I wish Spotify paid their artists more, I do think they’ve developed a great tool for music discovery and listener experience. As an artist, I’ve been able to reach new fans through user-generated Spotify playlisting and tools such as Radio, Discovery etc. And as a listener, I love the ease of the Spotify experience – but, I do think there need to be big changes made to support the artists who make it possible for them to exist!
How do you think social media or the internet has affected the music scene in your country?
Tiktok & IG reels are huge in the U.S. & such powerful connective tools. I am a big fan of both personally and professionally!
What are your friends and parents thoughts on your career?
I have a great support system. All of my family and friends are behind my career & are always very encouraging, even at times when I suffer from self-doubt. I feel extremely blessed, because I know for some families, pursuing art is frowned upon but I think because I come from a family of artists, pursuing my passion was celebrated instead of frowned upon.
What does your current song mean to you?
“Indigo” will always be special to me because it’s the first track I’ve released as the executive producer. It came together very quickly at home where I was sort of writing it and creating the atmosphere at the same time. I wanted the soundscape to feel like a dream state, grounded with lyrics from real-life experiences. It was important for me to keep it pretty lo-fi while making sure to keep the shimmer & sparkle in there, which is what I think makes it pretty unique!
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Just a big thank you to everyone who has streamed my music over the past couple of years. Feeling like I am, even in a small way, contributing to someone’s day with music is something I hold super close to my heart and am grateful for every day. It motivates me to keep going and creating – I just hope to continue connecting and making people feel something through music.
Keep an eye on this remarkable artist as she continues to make waves in the music world and get ready to be swept away by the irresistible allure of her upcoming album, “Sober in Another Life.”
Vanda’s journey is just beginning, and there’s no telling what heights she’ll reach as she continues to captivate audiences with her undeniable talent and infectious sound.
