If you’ve been looking to fill the gaps in your playlist, look no further than self-proclaimed glimmer rock artist Vienna Vienna! We were lucky enough to get to chat with Vienna Vienna all about ‘Company Hunting,’ ‘Beauty Queen,’ and so much more! Let’s jump in!
Listen to ‘Company Hunting’ here!
We’re so glad to have you here at The Honey POP! Can you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a bit about the origin of the name Vienna Vienna?
Hi!! Thank you so much for having me, i’m excited to get to chat! I’m J, a Glimmer Rock artist from Hollywood. Fantastic question. When I was a kid, I sort of always had fantasies of running away. I hoped I could disappear somewhere, and I wouldn’t have to face the challenge of changing and becoming in front of other people. I guess I thought I could go somewhere in Europe or something. As I got a little older, I realized that might only make it worse, and I’m better off bringing “Vienna” to me. (twice over, I suppose)
You describe your music as “glimmer rock.” What is that in your words?
Glimmer rock is a flamboyant shimmering approach to alternative rock. It’s intended to always be queer, loud, and cathartic.
Your approach to performing is interesting: “a chance at vulnerability without all the pressure.” Can you explain that?
When you’re on stage, people are expecting you to be open and emotional. They hope for it even. I’ve always struggled with vulnerability. I’ve been frightened for a long time of the idea of being known. But being on stage feels like the armor I need to express myself.
Since you were so involved in the writing and production of your debut EP Wonderland, how was sharing the studio with Justin Tranter, who has worked with artists such as Chappell Roan and Justin Bieber? How did you maintain your sound?
Justin is awesome! We had great chemistry as writers and we made something I’m very very proud of, and that we both love; he’s great at finding the right story to tell. I feel like I can finally say I know what the core of Vienna Vienna is. It’s like in every writing room I enter, I always have a North Star.
You almost didn’t release ‘Beauty Queen’ because you thought it was “too much” and you were “overwhelmed by being vulnerable in this way.” Did you have a similar experience with ‘Company Hunting’ since it’s about your relationship with religion?
I think I was a little scared to release ‘Company Hunting’ for the same reasons, but songs like ‘Beauty Queen’ and ‘God Save The Queens’ have opened that door for me in a really beautiful way. I have become much more comfortable and confident in sharing myself with others. I’m grateful to have a platform where I can express the way a conservative religious upbringing affected me. I’m lucky to be able to reach out and build community and connection with other queer people.
You are well-known for your lyricism, and for good reason! Is there a line from ‘Company Hunting’ that resonates with you?
The second verse of ‘Company Hunting’ is one of my favorite stanzas I’ve ever written: “Talk to Hades at the airport bar / I was getting drunk on red and fine liquor / He said something about the way I’d go and / I said something with a playful tone.” For me, this metaphor captured what it was like to step away from religion, and the ways I was seeking to clear out the newfound confusion.
‘Company Hunting’ was written during a time you struggled with religion and companionship. Is music something you turn to to help you through problems, or does it come organically?
Music is one of the only ways I feel like I can really cope with life. Whether it be mine or somebody else’s work, it really has become the greatest relief I could ever ask for.
Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!
We would love to hear from you! What do you think of our interview with Vienna Vienna? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
