After the rousing response to his recent offering 'Running' earlier this year, London-based artist and producer Verse Vicer is back on the grind once again to deliver his captivating new single 'Pull Me Under'.
Teaming up with Denver-based singer-songwriter Hatori for this new release, 'Pull Me Under' makes for an incredibly broad and immersive listen. With its dreamy vocals set to a wondrous jazz-inspired groove throughout, they continue to shine as two of the more inventive names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and influences over the years.
What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
Hatori: If I had to pick one; Destiny’s Child, but it’s hard not to mention Christina Aguilera, Natasha Bedingfield, Joss Stone, and P!nk.
Verse Vicer: The first band I fell in love with was Radiohead. Their introspective quality of the lyrics and harmonies and the way they layer musical textures drew me in. They have this ability to evoke deep emotions while also pushing the boundaries of what music can be, which was really inspiring for me. Especially the genre bending nature of their sound over the years has been a huge influence on my own approach to melding styles.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
Hatori: I think I was in a band for about a week(?) in year 9 and I did a cover of “fell in love with a girl” very poorly, as I had crippling performance anxiety, and then never did it again.
Verse Vicer: Yeah, I formed a band called Uno Mas when I was younger with school friends. We were an alternative rock band with an odd assortment of influences. We blended heavy rock, jazz, and reggae, which gave us a pretty distinctive sound. It was chaotic and confusing for the listener, but fun to be part of.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
Hatori: Hardship, I guess. I witnessed a lot of wildly different cultures and standards of living across many different countries and the resilience of the human spirit has always been captivating to me. There is so much that people have in common that is just below the surface.
Verse Vicer: My primary inspiration comes from the process of change itself—how life constantly evolves and how we have to adapt to it. That feeling of always being in flux, catching up with yourself emotionally and mentally, is at the core of what I write. I try to reflect that tension in my sound.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
Hatori: Made for Me by Muni Long. But of course, there are so many others as well.
Verse Vicer: Definitely "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead. The complexity of the arrangement and the emotional intensity it carries is unmatched. It’s the kind of song that evolves with you every time you listen to it, which is something I strive for in my own music.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
Hatori: I was being coached by a Grammy-award winning producer while learning production and showed him my song “Playing God.” He told me that he was jealous of my song, and that he wishes he had written and produced it; it was a very surreal moment, and I think I blacked out a little. It is still the greatest compliment I’ve ever received.
Verse Vicer: It would be headlining the O2 Islington with my old psych rock band Raisin Brain, which was made up of my best mates. That experience was surreal—just knowing I was sharing that moment with people who had been on this journey with me since we were teenages.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Hatori: Jacob Collier. Tori Kelly. Jazmine Sullivan. I could go on…
Verse Vicer: I'd love to share a stage with Nai Palm from Hiatus Kaiyote. Her voice and energy are otherworldly, and I feel like we could create something really special in a live setting.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
Hatori: Kimbra has been the most influential artist for me and I have been dreaming of working with her for over a decade now.
Verse Vicer: I’d love to collaborate with Jack Stratton from Vulfpeck. He’s a modern-day musical genius. His ability to fuse groove, simplicity, and complexity to create a discography of catchy hits is something I’d love to explore in a project.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Hatori: I hope to have a self-produced album by then. I have 2 small children and am with them full-time, so unless something changes dramatically, I don’t see myself being able to tour. Thanks to the internet, a lot can be done remotely, so I’m hoping to get some of my music in film and television.
Verse Vicer: In five years, I see myself regularly playing festivals—Glastonbury is definitely on the list. I want to be a staple in the festival circuit, continually evolving my sound and pushing myself as an artist in front of new audiences.
Vice Verser and Hatori's new single 'Pull Me Under' is out now. Watch the video below.
תגובות