Interview with Via Crowe
Written by: Keyali Mikaela
In this exclusive interview, we caught up with Via Crowe, the creative force behind the recently released album 'Unfinished.' Straight from the heart, Via shares the evolution of her music, from the early days of open mics to the creation of her deeply personal album. Join us as we get a behind-the-scenes look at Via's creative process, memorable moments in the studio, and how music became her anchor through challenging times. We'll also explore the intersection of social media and music promotion, discover Via's musical inspirations, and gain insights into the local music scene that shaped her artistry.
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Next Wave: You recently released your album, “Unfinished”. How was that for you?
Via Crowe: Yeah, I started writing this in the beginning of high school, and it's kind of like all the experiences that I had written in my journal leading up to my senior year. I started writing blurbs for the album, like I didn't have the mentality that I was going to be putting out an album. I've been writing since middle school. Then it started piecing together. Like I wanted to put out a single or something. Then it grew into a full-length project that is just really talking about my high school experiences. It's basically just for teenage girls to listen to and be like, are you okay? Like it's very for the girls. But that's basically like in my line that I always say, teenage is temporary and doesn’t everything deserve a funeral anyway.
Next Wave: How would you say that your album has evolved from music that you were putting out earlier in your career?
Via Crowe: I put out my first-ever single in July, and that was “synthetic feel”. That was going to be on the record, but I would just start at open mics and just gigs around my town, just playing songs and seeing how people would react to them. Then I would know, oh, maybe that one wasn't as good as something I would want to put on the record. Just trying to eliminate which ones. I didn't have the album title up until like a month before it was coming out. I had options, but I didn't really know what I really wanted to call it. So, since it was my first-ever rodeo doing all this, I wanted to call it Unfinished because my music career is starting, and it's not done.
Next Wave: How does your creative process work when you're in the studio?
Via Crowe: So it all starts with me just writing all my music acoustically with my guitar. Usually, I don't really sit down and force myself to write a song because I don't think that helps at all. It starts with little lines in my notes app that I'm like, oh, maybe this could be a song idea, or I'll be driving and go, wait, and record this melody. It's different for every song; it comes from a lot of different experiences. When I'm in the studio, I have studio session musicians in there while I'm playing as well. And we kind of just build off of that acoustic template I have. We just jam out and see what we like. I'm pretty sure we had five different versions of every song until we found exactly how we would want it.
Next Wave: Do you have any memorable moments from being in the studio recording any songs from your album?
Via Crowe: When we recorded one of the tracks called 'eye glitter,' I wanted it to be very acoustic, like cutesy. It's a very lovey song, and I was thinking, I didn't know exactly what instrument I wanted. Then my producer whips out a mandolin, and he starts playing it. I was like, well, we have a mandolin on the track, which is really great. I never thought I would ever have a mandolin in indie music, but everybody's been saying, bring mandolin back for indie music 2024. I'm like, it could be a thing. I do like the sound of it.
Next Wave: You've mentioned before that making music has gotten you through some of your darkest times. How has the process of looking back at those songs and creating your album contributed to your personal growth?
Via Crowe: I think about this probably every day because when I was writing these songs, I was in a state of a lot of pain and sadness. I never thought these were songs anyone would hear. I would just write them and be like, these are just for myself. I write for myself, but also for others, if that makes sense. I have so many songs that I just keep to myself just to be able to grieve those moments in my life. It doesn't really hit you until like a month later, after the whole thing is out, that you're like, oh wait, people are actually hearing about my life. It has helped me so much as a person and being a young adult, to look back at those experiences in my life that were very much not so great at the moment. Like that being a teenager is so hard, especially now with social media. People will be sharing your stuff, saying the most cruel things online. I recently got a DM from a girl saying I've helped her get over a breakup and her mental health, which helped me as well.
Next Wave: On the topic of social media today, how do you find that it interweaves with how you promote your music as an artist in the current digital age?
Via Crowe: Social media is… I hate it, but I love it. I get to connect with people, but also, it's not great. I try to limit my social media intake, but it never happens because I feel like I always have to be on it 24/7. Being able to connect with other people and other businesses, small businesses as well, is great. I feel, especially after COVID, we have learned so much from being able to connect with others all around the world. So I try to use my platform, and I want to use it in the proper way
Next Wave: Who would you name as some of your musical inspirations?
Via Crowe: Okay, I'm gonna go through my list. I always have a list because I'll freak out be like no, I didn't mention that artist. So definitely Norah Jones, Soccer Mommy, Big Thief, Snail Mail, Boygenius, Death Cab for Cutie, and Clairo.
Next Wave: What are some obstacles that you've faced and how have you overcome them thus far, from an artist point of view?
Via Crowe: Being vulnerable, posting on social media- We're back to social media. Being able to post a video of you singing by yourself and letting the world see it. Being your most vulnerable self, knowing that people are gonna comment good things, comment bad things. That was probably the biggest thing for me last year because I always post singing videos, but nothing very intimate. Now I'm starting to get back into posting more intimate videos, but that was probably the scariest thing. Putting out my first single was terrifying because I knew that people were gonna be supportive, people aren't gonna be supportive. You're gonna get backlash, which is always what happens. But I feel like from that pain, I have grown knowing that it really is a game and you have to be in it to play it.
Next Wave: If you get negative comments on your videos, is it easier to see past those and pay attention to the positive ones? Or do you still find a part of yourself focusing on those negative comments?
Via Crowe: I try not to because I remind myself that if somebody's on your page, if they click follow, they're supporting you. If they're supporting you, they're still watching your stuff, they're still giving you engagement, and there's going to be, you're gonna have that support system that's still going to be there that you can gravitate towards and try to block it out. But yes, I still, it still does get a little very annoying, a little and very annoying, but no, I've gotten better with it, so which is good.
Next Wave: How do you find that kind of the local music scene around there has kind of influenced you as an artist?
Via Crowe: I grew up by the Jersey Shore, so always going to the beach, being outside, and always riding. Especially in the Asbury Park area, which is where I recorded the record. I always gig around that area, and it's the best community ever. Everybody's so extremely supportive about anything you're taking on, whether it be your local artist, your local photographer, local small business. Everybody just collaborates with each other, which I love so much.
My album release show was at the Asbury Lanes in December. I made sure I had small businesses there so they would be able to promote themselves. I felt that I've grown so much as an artist from having that support system. in Asbury pushed me and my producers and friends who have pushed me.
Next Wave: Beyond the release of your album, shows that you have planned, what other future plans do you have just for your career?
Via Crowe: Definitely a lot of more music. Definitely just expanding, being able to go to Europe and play shows there. I'm touring a lot and hopefully opening for someone. New music sooner than you think is coming.
Stream UNFINISHED below and follow Via Crowe on social media here.
