CREDIT: Vitalia
Vitalia is shaping her niche in music with singles like “What a Shame” and “Molly,” blending pop and rock elements while delving into the complexities of emotions and relationships.
Vitalia is a dynamic artist who embraces genre versatility, often switching between styles with each release. We discovered her through her compelling pop-rock single, “what a shame,” and she has followed it up with her latest track, “molly,” an upbeat sapphic pop anthem. This song tells the story of a girl who broke her heart and features captivating vocal production, layers of harmonious backing vocals, and a melodious bass line in the chorus that brings the entire track to life.
Rooted in a rich cultural background, she draws inspiration from a wide array of musical influences, crafting a unique sound that resonates with listeners on a personal level. Each release showcases her ability to navigate various genres, seamlessly transitioning from infectious hooks to raw, emotive ballads. Passionate about self-expression and artistic growth, Vitalia is carving out her place as a fresh and authentic voice in today’s music scene.
Singular Culture: To kick things off, could you give us a brief overview of your musical background? How did your journey as a singer-songwriter begin, and what inspired you to start writing and performing your own music?
Vitalia: I grew up in a Ukrainian community in Canada. Although I was born in Canada, both of my parents are Ukrainian, and I was immersed in Ukrainian culture here in Montreal. My childhood was filled with music, thanks to the camps I attended and the Ukrainian school I went to, where singing was a significant part of our activities. Being surrounded by music from a young age exposed me to various harmonies, and I subconsciously developed a better ear for it.
I began singing officially at six years old at the Ukrainian Montreal Festival, performing children’s songs each year. This experience fostered my love for performing and the thrill of being on stage, which motivated me to create my own music. After a brief hiatus, I returned to songwriting at 16, becoming more aware of my musical abilities. At 17, I enrolled in theatre school for three years. During this time, I participated in a play but was dissatisfied with my vocal performance, which drove me to improve my singing. I subsequently applied for a university music course focused on jazz vocal performance, and I am now also pursuing my own music projects on the side.
What made you want to pursue pop and jazz music instead of musical theatre?
When I began taking musical theatre lessons, I quickly realized it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. I enjoyed it and found it fun, but as a performer, I preferred to separate the different crafts. My initial teacher was focused on musical theatre, which is why I started there. I learned a lot, but when I got to music school, I applied for the classical music program. However, I was captivated by the improvisation in jazz music, so I decided to study with a jazz music teacher instead. After a year of private jazz lessons, I fell in love with it, which ultimately led me to switch to the jazz music program.
As an artist, how would you describe your sound, and are there any particular artists or bands that have influenced your music?
I originally wanted to put out a funk EP with songs like “Too Naive,” “Over You,” “Darlin’,” and “Maybe.” But as I worked with different producers and grew as an artist, I realized the songs didn’t really fit together the way I hoped. So, I decided to release them as singles instead. I wrapped up my funk and disco era with “Maybe.”
Right now, my music is shifting towards a pop-rock sound. I’m drawing inspiration from bands and artists like Paramore, Radiohead, Willow, and Florence and the Machine—anything that leans into that rock vibe. Okean Elzy, a Ukrainian rock band, is also a huge influence for me.
“what a shame” was the first release in this pop-rock genre and I’m thrilled to share that my latest song, “molly,” came out on October 25th and continues in this vein. Following “molly,” I’ll be releasing “alone in the crowd,” which will be a dramatic song that captures the vibe of Florence and the Machine.
What inspired you to create “what a shame,” and what does it represent for you personally?
My writing process isn’t linear at all. Sometimes I jot down a lyric on my phone, and a year later, I stumble upon it and think, “I really connect with this phrase now.” That’s how I approached the first verse of “what a shame.” I originally recorded it with a similar melody using a voice memo.
The lines “Now here we are again with the same old friends but without who we were back then. Now here we are again, friends but more than friends, because history can’t erase itself” reflect a situationship I experienced. I found myself still in the same circle as this person, and it felt strange to acknowledge our past while trying to act like it didn’t exist. After a breakup, there’s this urge to pretend you don’t know someone as well as you do, even though you both can’t deny your history. It creates such a weird energy.
A year later, I went through another, more serious breakup. When I revisited that voice memo, it resonated with me in a completely different way. I ended up blending those two experiences into one song, capturing the complexities of those feelings.
Could you share some details on how your collaboration with Housefly began? What was the creative process like?
Working with Housefly was incredible! He’s a producer I really respect, with experience working alongside some well-known artists. Like me, he doesn’t stick to a specific genre, which made it so much fun to work together. No matter what I throw at him, he’s always ready to say, “I got you.” He truly understands what I’m trying to convey and finds ways to bring my vision to life.
I’ve seen Housefly around in Montreal, where he’s also a musician and an amazing piano player. There’s this event every Wednesday at Turbo Haüs, and one day I approached him to chat. To my surprise, he expressed interest in working on something together, and that’s how our collaboration began. Most of the songs on my upcoming EP will be produced by him, and I couldn’t be more excited!
Were there any memorable moments or challenges you faced while working on “what a shame”?
I initially started working on “what a shame” with a friend of mine, Adrian Buccella, who is a guitarist. This is why the song has a strong guitar-driven sound. Adrian created the guitar riffs, and since we were in the midst of working on several songs together, I asked him to send over the guitar stems. Housefly then layered in the other elements to complete the track.
At first, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted the song to sound like. I just knew I wanted a gritty guitar vibe. I aimed for something reminiscent of Paramore, with a sassy lead vocal. Figuring out the direction for this song was a bit challenging, but it ultimately came together beautifully.
Do you have a favorite song among all the ones you’ve released? If so, what makes it special for you?
It’s hard to choose a favorite song because I’ve experienced so much growth with each release. When I started, I didn’t really know what I was doing; I just wanted to put out music and become a professional musician. I decided to release my music and learn along the way, which has shaped my journey.
Because of this, my path hasn’t been linear. I’ve tried different things, seeing what works and adjusting as needed. My first song was a collaboration with another artist called “Renon,” titled “My Way,” which is a feminist anthem. After that, I took a different direction. When the Ukrainian war began, I wrote a vulnerable and raw song about it. Each song I’ve released is special in its own way.
CREDIT: Vitalia
Would you mind walking us through your songwriting process in general? How do you go from an idea to a finished song?
That’s the weird thing, no song is the same. I might go to the piano and think, “I’m having a shit day; let me just improvise,” then I’ll start recording. Sometimes my mind comes up with little melodies or lyric ideas, and I write them down. Other times, I might have an idea that comes together right away.
Usually, these moments happen across different sessions. I’ll write something at one point, then listen back to it a year later. Sometimes I’ll feel connected to one part but not the other, prompting me to make changes. Melodies come fairly easily to me; the challenge lies in making them fit with the lyrics. It’s mostly about putting the pieces of a puzzle together.
Do you ever struggle with not liking a song enough to finish it or feeling stuck in the process? If so, how do you try to push through it?
I have tons of unfinished songs, probably over 300 voice memos and notes with bits and pieces. It can be a challenge to find how these fragments connect, which is why I don’t force it. I just show up at the piano, and sometimes I’ll think, “Holy shit, this idea is cool,” and start recording.
While I’m at the piano, I subconsciously begin singing whatever comes to mind, making it easier to put the pieces together in that first session. I jot down the chords, melodies, and lyrics as I play and sing. With my busy school schedule, these notes really help me when I need inspiration. So yes, I do struggle to finish songs, but I believe that writing “bad songs” is part of the process. You have to write to practice your craft and eventually create the best of the best.
You’ve collaborated with various producers instead of sticking to familiar ones. How has that experience shaped your music?
Working with different producers has definitely brought a lot of good to my music, especially as I was still learning about myself and my artistic vision. Each producer has their own approach, which helped me realize what ideas I connect with and what doesn’t resonate as much.
Since every song is different and the process isn’t linear, collaborating with various producers has allowed me to understand which ones I work best with in terms of ideas and thought processes. While my songs might seem all over the place when I release them, I feel like I’ve found a certain consistency in my sound and know what I want. Now I’m more confident in what to ask for in the studio.
We’ve heard from many independent artists about the challenges of pursuing music full-time and promoting their work. What are your thoughts on ensuring your music gets heard in such a saturated industry?
I definitely think it’s a saturated industry, but I also believe it’s important to promote yourself, as that’s the only way to be heard. For emerging artists, it’s a matter of finding your audience, which I believe is already out there.
People love listening to music in various genres, but they’re not necessarily going to discover an artist who doesn’t live in the same city as them. Also, If you don’t achieve a certain number of streams, the algorithm won’t push your song to potential listeners, making it tricky to gain visibility at first.
For me, I’ve been developing my social media presence with every release. I try to promote my music as much as I can and share as many videos as possible, and I think it has been working so far.
Many aspiring musicians and actors feel intimidated by job uncertainty and audition rejections. Did you experience similar pressure or disappointment when you started, and how did you handle it?
In both the acting and music industries, you’re going to hear a lot of “no.” I applied to several music festivals this past summer and received only rejections. From an outside perspective, it’s not always clear what an artist is doing in terms of background work. However, at the end of the day, I believe an artist is also a business manager. You are your own business and your own brand.
I’ve been thinking about it this way: like any business, success doesn’t happen immediately. It takes time and steady investment to grow. For me, that means putting more money into music videos and improving the quality of my songs, such as getting better mixes and masters or working with more experienced people. This is why I really appreciate Housefly. Right now, I’m investing everything I earn from my other jobs back into my music.
Before we wrap up this interview, I’d love to hear about your goals for the future of your music and acting career. Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to share?
My new song, “molly,” is out now on all platforms, and the music video will be released on November 13th. I will be releasing more singles next year, starting in January, and my EP will be out at the beginning of April.
As Vitalia forges ahead in her musical journey, her talent for blending genres and sharing personal stories truly sets her apart. Keep an eye on her as she explores new sounds and continues to evolve as an artist. With her authentic approach to music, there’s so much to look forward to. Be sure to check out our favorite single, “what a shame,” along with her intriguing latest release, “molly.” You won’t want to miss what she has in store!