In a pipeline we lovingly like to call fan-to-artist, if we were to search socials for vintage versions of our verified tickets, we would unearth fangirl slang galore, mangles of lower and upper cases, shaky live show captures stitched from even them belting out radio-smashed tunes. Then fate’s dice roll onto life’s gameboard, flipping roles, casting them to see their nostalgic crush spotlighted in a crowd—this time, in a chanting sea of fandom that is fond of their own name. This is kind of what happened to Vienna Vienna—who’s about halfway down the page upon Googling them, but that’s what you get with your artist name being an infamous city… (and a Billy Joel crooner, as he likes to note). Well, tattoo-bearing genius Pete Wentz came along, scooped Vienna Vienna up, and put him in the pocket that reads ‘DCD2 Records,’ his personal musical kingdom. The rest speaks for itself!
Until then, does it want us to interject and interview Vienna Vienna? Because we’re never saying no when the ‘glimmer rock,’ as he likes to genre-sleuth his work, is just that good. We spoke to him about this exact switcheroo, his spanking new, as in his debut EP Wonderland, and much more!
DCD2 Records
Hi, Vienna Vienna (we promise we won’t drop one of them!). In a total ‘Oh my god, pinch me!’ moment, you did a hilarious skit with Pete Wentz to announce that you’re signing with his and Patrick Stump’s label, DCD2 Records. Can you walk us through what was going through your mind when you found out he loves your art and wants to support you with it?
Honestly, I was so stunned! I had finished much of Wonderland at the time, and I was going through this period where I was questioning everything. When Pete called, I think there was an element of relief there. At our first hang, we really bonded over music and pop culture. He has amazing taste, and it felt super affirming to see that I was a part of that.
From the emotional rock ballad ‘Thanks fr the Mmrs,’ perfect for those bittersweet graduation goodbyes, to the energetic ‘This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,’ is there a particular Fall Out Boy song that, when you first heard it, made you realize your vision would align with theirs?
I had From Under The Cork Tree on heavy rotation for ages. That record hits all the right boxes for me. ‘Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song…’ hits so hard. They’re amazing creatives, so unbelievable that I’ve been able to connect with Pete.
Music Videos Galore
Our first taste of the EP was ‘Beauty Queen,’ which has this uniquely tender moment where, just when we think we’re seeing you through a camera lens, it’s almost as if we’re also viewing you through a mirror. What were you trying to convey with this idea?
Performing into a mirror felt very vulnerable, ‘Beauty Queen,’ after all, is about facing yourself. For a long time, I didn’t really know who I was; I was trying hard to be a reflection of the people around me. Also— I thought it would look sick.
Among the music videos released from the EP, there’s also ‘Vienna (Everything’s Fine).’ Orange is everywhere, as fruit and color, with goldfish swimming up to your face and orange-headed businesspeople surrounding you! If you had to pick, what’s your favorite orange-flavored product?
Orange Fanta hits every single time.
In the music video, one of the orange-headed business people holds up a drawing of you with rabbit ears—possibly a nod to Alice in Wonderland, the last word, of course, being your EP’s name, Wonderland—with the same orange color reflected in your shirt. Fans are always so imaginative with their fan art! Is there a particular song from the EP you’d love to see brought to life creatively by your fans?
You know what’s so wild about this? I wasn’t even thinking about the Alice in Wonderland connection! But I totally see it. It would be really cool to see something related to ‘Beauty Queen;’ there are some visuals in the lyrics that would be really awesome to see come alive.
Sound Elements
This EP is wondrously production-heavy, featuring the experimental sounds of scraping tea cups in ‘Wonderland,’ presumably as a nod to The Hatter, to the roving car engine noises that make it feel like ‘Make A Man Out of You’ is playing on the radio. Is there a specific sound choice that you really love?
That sound is actually my putting my keys down before the take, but man, these Alice In Wonderland connections might make me re-watch it! I did theatre a lot as a kid; I definitely was in a production of Alice in Wonderland at some point. There’s a fever-dream quality to a lot of the art I’m interested in. I’m a huge fan of the way the guitars in ‘Sex Drugs Whatever’ sound, so gooey. We built it out in a sort of orchestral way, one note at a time.
Regarding the sound elements, ‘One More Last Time’ is a rare instance where you detach from the dynamic alternative pop for a stripped-down guitar moment before it builds up in the outro. Can you share your thought process behind giving this track a different treatment?
I think I tend to be focused on serving the song itself. As I was crafting this one, I felt in many ways that I needed to slow down and be honest. There was an emotional backlog I was trying to let out; I needed that huge cathartic release at the end.
A Scroll-Worthy TikTok
You have an incredibly informative video on your TikTok that walks us through your live show session! For those who aren’t as musically savvy, is there a particular nugget of wisdom about tune-making that you’d like to share before diving into anyone’s body of work? Something that might be more challenging than it seems, perhaps?
Start by finding a feeling that scares you. You’ll have plenty to say. Making music is equal parts practice and personal digging. As long as you really, really dig, you’re halfway there. Everything else comes with time. Also, don’t gate-keep yourself. If you write songs, you’re a songwriter; go live it.
Speaking of your TikTok and reflecting on ‘One More Last Time,’ you’ve created a montage of the beautifully poetic scene from The Perks of Being a Wallflower, where Charlie goes under the tunnel with his head out the car roof, monologuing, “We are infinite.” How does this scene connect to the themes of the song?
I have loved that movie for what feels like forever. ‘One More Last Time’ is definitely my Tunnel Song. Catharsis is a huge part of every creative endeavor of mine. I often feel like I’m unable to get the feelings inside of me out, but music is one of the ways I’ve been able to find relief and rest. In that moment, I think Carlie finds rest in a way he hasn’t been able to before, and I’ve always resonated with that.
Finally, what lyric from the EP immediately makes you happily say, “I can’t believe I wrote that?”
My favorite line from the EP is probably from ‘Vienna (Everything’s Fine),’ “I bite back at the hand where the help is.” To me, it sort of summarizes that song completely. I remember feeling really satisfied and excited when I wrote that one. It ended up being my north star for the rest of the session; It scared me in all the right ways.
In passing the mic over to you moment, what’s your favorite lyric from Vienna Vienna’s Wonderland? No, that’s not a white rabbit frolicking across, but our tendency to look into the deeper meanings of things is exactly what this question requires of you. Let us know through our Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!
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