INTERVIEW: Vân Scott gets personal with first solo album ‘Almost Gone’
Photo: Vân Scott’s new album is called Almost Gone. Photo courtesy of Adam Griffin / Provided by 37-media with permission.
Vân Scott, the alt-pop singer-songwriter, will release his first-ever solo album, Almost Gone, Friday, July 23. The recording effort has been in the works for a long time, and each tune is inspired by something or someone in the performer’s life. This new project comes as a bit of a departure for Vân Scott, who is an accomplished session singer, having appeared on the soundtracks of several high-profile films, including La La Land.
“Tough Love,” one of his new songs, is a candid appeal for a true friend, according to press notes. Another song, “Poster Boy,” deals with his former job at a local church where he oversaw the music ministry. The most recent single is “Don’t Know the Words,” a tune that pays tribute to Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and John Lennon and Paul McCartney, two of the most successful songwriting teams in history who have been great influences in Vân Scott’s life and career.
The horizon looks bright for the singer as well. In addition to playing two gigs this summer — July 27 at Writer’s Block at Hotel Café in Los Angeles and Aug. 17 at the Breaking Sound showcase at Adults Only in Los Angeles — he’ll soon move to New York City and enter the Berklee College of Music’s master’s program in creative media and technology.
Recently Vân Scott exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about his solo album. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
When did you first get the idea for your first solo album?
Well, originally I was only planning to record a five or six-song EP. It wasn’t until last year, when quarantine brought life to a crawl, that I took a listen back through my catalog and realized I had a lot more songs that touched on the same themes. Releasing an album on your own seems to go against what a lot of artists are doing now: releasing single after single, building momentum until they sign with a label, culminating in a glorious album debut. But I was basically like, “Screw it! I want to make an album.” So I did.
How challenging was the project?
Oh, I found this project to be incredibly challenging! I definitely underestimated exactly what an undertaking it would be. I crowdfunded the album on Kickstarter, which I’ve done once before on a smaller scale. The first time was for a four-song EP with my now-defunct duo, Lord & Lady, and so the responsibilities were split. To executive produce a 10-song album on my own proved to be a much bigger task. The writing and recording were the easy parts, but getting all the productions, mixes and masters all the way across the finish line, complete with artwork, press photos and music videos was a lot for just one person to handle. Here’s hoping I gain enough momentum with this record to be able to hire a team for the next one!
How personal are these songs?
I’d say that these songs are very personal. There aren’t many that I write that aren’t. They’re honest and vulnerable and express a lot of my insecurities. I don’t know that I would want to sing them if they didn’t come from a real place. I think that’s what a lot of my listeners appreciate about my music to this point. Brutal honesty makes it all the more relatable.
What’s the message behind the song ‘Tough Love’?
“Tough Love” is an earnest plea for a true friend. At the time I wrote it, I felt like I didn’t have anyone who really had my back. I’m always seeking to be the best version of myself, but there are bound to be flaws that I’m blind to. So this song is about the desire to have people in my life that won’t gloss over stuff. Instead, I’m looking for someone who is willing to tell me the hard truths I need to hear.
Is this the musical direction you want to move in? Will you continue as a session singer?
Session singing has taught me so much about being a music professional. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of walking into a studio and sight-reading a piece of music you’ve never seen before and recording it on the spot. I still have to pinch myself when I think of the amazing projects I’ve been able to be a part of over the last decade plus. However, writing and performing songs is, I think, the deeper passion of mine. If I can actually make my solo career as Vân Scott the main thing, that would be amazing! I have a lot more that I want to accomplish as an artist, songwriter and producer, and so I have a strong desire to see that through.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Vân Scott’s new album Almost Gone will be released July 23. Click here for more information.
