Vassy on Facebook - www.facebook.com/vassy
The last time I spoke with Vassy, she was set to perform at the pre-Grammy party and her debut single ‘We Are Young’ was Number 4 on the Billboard Dance Charts.
Nowadays, along with having the single used in ads for Target, Chevrolet, and Skechers, the Darwin-born songstress has become the first Australian female to ever hit Number 1 on the Billboard Dance Charts. Her song was also chosen to be used as a trailer track for Tina Fey’s newest film, Admission.
With the sounds of Billie Holiday to inspire her and lead her to the U.S. from a small town in Australia, Vassy’s distinctive voice and lyrics have now led her to worldwide recognition. “I'm proud to be Australian - we know the true meaning of hard work! It's definitely the reason why I am where I am today. Australian culture teaches you to work hard and never give up,” says Vassy.
Q: Vassy! You’re definitely living a musician’s dream. How are you feeling about it all right now?
Vassy: It's surreal at times but then I think about all the hard work that has gone into it and I feel blessed to be where I am. I do feel very lucky to be living my dreams and be able to support myself from my art. That’s a good feeling indeed.
Q: What inspired you to create 'We Are Young'?
Vassy: I was feeling rebellious, international, and edgy that day. The lyrics just came. No pre-conceived ideas. It just poured out of me. I loved it immediately and that's when I knew this song has something special.
Q: Fans everywhere are dancing to your music but what are some of your favorite tracks to dance to?
Vassy: ‘Gypsy Woman’ by Crystal Waters - that is my tune of the century! Not only have I heard and danced to that song a zillion times but I had the honor to work with Crystal just yesterday while she was in LA alongside Dave Aude at his studio and I am doing a collaboration with her in the summer. She is wonderful and I love her!!
Q: In such a remote area of Australia, you’ve said you had to think outside of the box to make things happen. So, what were some of the quirky things that you did back home to establish yourself as an artist?
Vassy: I had to get funding from the NT Arts Council and fly up DJ friends from the bigger cities like Sydney to come up and throw hip hop work shops for the local youth. I had to sing at jazz clubs late at night while going to University during the day to get my degree. I had to create a vision that I would one day be living my dreams and build it. I made an album on my own. I wrote my own songs. I explored music at a later age on my own. I had to just go for it!!
Q: I know that you are deeply inspired by Billie Holiday. Let’s say that you were asked to sing only one of her songs. Which song would it be?
Vassy: ‘Lover Man,’ it is my favorite song of hers. The song that inspired me to move to the U.S. was ‘Autumn In New York,’ but ‘Lover Man’ has always struck a chord with me. It’s vulnerable and emotive and I can connect with it with my soul, just as she poured hers into it when she delivered it.
