VYTHESS TALKS NEED SOME SPACE

Behind the Coastline

You are reading an independently published interview-series published and carefully curated by Swedish pop-culture journalist Daniel John. Ever since its start in 2015, the core curiosity remains the same, surfing the creative currents of music, film, fashion and everything else on the pop-radar, catching the waves of culture as creative

Culture Coast TalksDaniel John

What is 'Need Some Space' about?

'Need Some Space' is a song about a turning point. It's the first step, the beginning of a new healing journey, finally taking ownership of your own actions, and healing after a period of struggle and being afraid to end a destructive cycle. I had a hard moment in my life and I wanted this song to remind me of the strength that I had at this moment, that I am capable of being strong, was claiming my own space. Having the will power to put yourself first and be kind to yourself despite your mistakes or the way you have been treated.

This is also the first single of your upcoming EP, 'Fragments of Healing'. What glimpse does this song give of the whole story to be told on it?

I think the song is the chronologically first step of a healing process, making space and time for yourself, to reflect and nurture yourself, it's an anthem of reclaiming your independence and power after a period of being taken over by a sorrow or a toxic-situation. The rest of the songs are chronologically connected, stemming from the same even that made me really think about healing. Starting from realization you need the space.

When you released your last EP, in 2022, it was entirely in your own language, Bulgarian, how do you find it writing English songs now?

I think using a different language is like using a different instrument, each has its own specifics and hard and easy parts. I wouldn't say it is really comparable. I just appreciate using both in their own way and for a different purpose and outcome.

Originally from Bulgaria but now in Groningen, Netherlands, what’s the scene like there?

The Netherlands is quite international so there is so much diverse music, and it's a place where even niche music would have an audience, which is what interests me the most. It gives space for alternative and niche music to develop, so you can learn so much. I really enjoy that I can see a lot of my favorite artists live, while in Bulgaria, that will be less likely due to the niche aspect, there are great jazz and electronic festivals that I visit, but you can really find anything you are interested in.

How long have music been a part of your life?

I started singing lessons when I was four, but I guess, creativity has always been there. I remember as a child, being excited to learn how to write so I didn't have to learn my poems by heart anymore. So I always had this urge to express myself. And with the years the tools became more and more accessible.

Do you feel stress around being productive as an artist and that you have to put out songs at any given pace?

Nowadays people have really low attention span so even if you create something that people genuinely love, the next few days they will forget it just because they are flooded with a huge amount of media, so in order to grow your community you really have to nurture it regularly which is not something easy as most people can't really force inspiration. However, I try to maintain some balance that allows me not to burn out, and I try to remind myself that at the end putting out authentic music is always the priority

What does it mean for you personally to have this Vythess–project in your life?

I think first of all it allows me to express and share ideas in a way that would be harder without an alias. Technically gives me freedom and distance between myself and me as an artist, which can also be important in order to prevent burnout. It has also helped me learn a lot more about myself and what I stand for. What colours, sounds I describe myself with. I re-live everything with my songs before, during and after the creation and releasing I grow as a person and I understand myself and my feelings better. There is something so valuable about manifesting your vulnerability out in the world in a safe "socially acceptable way", which art is essentially. That's why I would say that it means mainly freedom, at least for me.

You’ve just also released 'Pedestal'. How much space can we expect between all the songs coming from the EP?

The first three songs will be released each month and then I will release the full EP. I wanted to give time for the people to really feel the story of the EP step by step and to also feel the natural way of how I experienced writing the music. Each month was a different phase of my healing journey and each month I was discovering something new about myself and the process of nurturing but also confronting yourself in a constructive but compassionate way. That is way each new month represents a different fragment of the process. Also explaining where the title 'Fragments of Healing' comes from.