Interview with Victoria Bigelow

As the days start appearing shorter and the weather starts to approach that more gloomy winter feel, I always gravitate towards music that really puts me in my feels. Whether it be a long drive alone or an evening with your favorite bottle of red wine, I think from time to time it is necessary for us to listen to music that really forces us to confront our feelings and learn a little more about ourselves and our personal growth. One of those go-to artists for me has been Victoria Bigelow.

I came across Victoria’s music when I was in a period of growth and change, where I really needed it. I instantly became obsessed with her sound and at the time, she only had a feel singles out so I was left begging for more. She has since put out more music and I now consider myself a full-on fan.

Lucky for me, and for those who read this, she agreed to an interview with me. When you feel a personal tie to someone’s music you almost feel like you know them so I decided to go ahead and try to do just that, get to know the woman behind the music a little bit better.

I am such a newbie when it comes to interviewing someone so I tried to simply ask questions that could give us a little more insight to what inspires her, makes her tick, and provide more of the story behind this woman sharing her music with the world. I hope you enjoy!

Me: First off, how are you? How has 2020 been for you? I know this year has been crazy for everyone but I also know you released an EP back in June so that must have been exciting and a definite high for this year.

Victoria Bigelow: “I’ve been okay... as good as I can be I suppose. It’s been really difficult as a parent to a toddler. During those first weeks of quarantine when we were all essentially trapped at home, that was really hard. But, as I’m sure most of us have also experienced, the difficulties and sadness of this year has also brought along with a great deal of clarity.

And yes! I did release an EP. I was really excited to just get it out and move on from that project. It was pieced together during most of 2019 and some of 2020, and I released it after George Floyd was murdered and so many people had already died from COVID. It was a heavy time and putting that music out then was kind of a symbolic end to that chapter in my life and all of the now meaningless strife that had preceded it.”

Me: One of my favorite things to learn about artists is who their biggest musical influences are. So, who are some of your musical influences/inspirations?

VB: “When I first began writing music and playing guitar my huge influences were Taylor Swift, Michelle Branch and Alanis Morissette. I still aggressively look up to all of those women, and I really love Aimee Mann, Joni Mitchell, Amy Winehouse and Stevie Nicks. They’ve all played a huge role in my musical life. I think Phoebe Bridgers, and Madison Cunningham are brilliant, too. Haha, the giants of songwriting pretty much, as most who love music like I do. I’m also a huge Frank Ocean and Sza fan, I’d probably faint getting to meet either of them for sure.” 

Me: Was music something that you’ve always wanted to do or was it one of those things that surprisingly became a passion of yours? And when did you know that you wanted to seriously pursue music?

VB: “Generic response but I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do. I began writing music when I was 13 and pursued it pretty vigorously. I moved to Nashville when I was 15, but after a few years I stepped away from it. I had some heavy things weighing me down then, and it took me a while to overcome some of the darker aspects of my personality. After I had my son when I was 22 I knew I had to figure it out or I would never forgive myself. So I released “Low” the following summer and stopped drinking, ha.”

Me: What are your top 3 all time favorite songs?

VB: “Ah, this is so hard. Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones, Storms by Fleetwood Mac and Thirteen by Big Star. This list will change all the time depending on my mood, but I revisit these a lot.”

Me: What is a song that you wish you had been the one to write?

VB: Chelsea Hotel #2

Me: What would be your dream collab?

VB: “Justin Vernon, Thom Yorke, Taylor Swift or Stevie Nicks (I have a few ha).”

Me: Your music and lyrics are very raw and honest, what was the mental process like for you to be able to put those emotions and experiences out there for the world? Did it just pour out or was it more of a vulnerable and emotional experience?

VB: “Often I don’t know where a song is going, I just kind of psycho-babble and then I start to piece it together. This is why I prefer not to co-write for my own stuff, unless I’m extremely close with whomever I’m writing with. It’s really therapeutic for me, and I feel like I learn something new about something I’m feeling when I’m done writing. I can be pretty cut off from my emotions and have a tendency to dissociate from them, and writing really really helps me with that.”

Me: Do you find it easier to write/sing more somber music or is it simply what you relate to more?

VB: “Haha this made me laugh. I always get onto myself for writing slower music, but I think it’s just part of what I’m doing at this point. It’s excruciating for me to try to write something upbeat. I definitely relate to slower music and my husband laughs at me for this all the time. When he’s going through something he’ll put on really aggressive, visceral music and I always put on Elliott Smith or Bon Iver, like I want to hurt myself more or something haha.”

Me: Low is the song that made me become an instant fan of yours and I think I fell in love with it because it describes a very real situation that I feel many of us have been in but hadn’t really thought of it the way you put it. Listening to that song helped me understand a little more about my past self and really confront myself. How does it feel to have that affect on people with your music? Or could you elaborate more on what that song means to you?

VB: “This is crazy to me, for real. I vividly remember writing that song. I had just given birth like a month prior, I was up late one night breastfeeding and after Elliott fell asleep I wrote it, tired and feeling really vulnerable. I know so many moms experience this, but as challenging as being a mom and trying to pursue music has been, having him has really helped me confront myself. I’m honored that people have connected with “Low” like they have. That song means a lot to me, and it was one I needed to write to accept certain aspects of myself. Knowing that other people have related to it and felt seen or validated by it has been a huge deal to me. I think sometimes when we’re experiencing dark or less than desirable emotions or feelings we have a tendency to shame ourselves. My biggest hope with my music is to make other people feel okay about where they’re at. Got way too drunk in public and made an ass of yourself? It’s okay! Did you lie in bed all day because you’re so depressed? That’s okay too! Really hurt or lie to someone you love? Yep, you’re in good company here. It’s easy to really hate yourself, and I just want to lighten the load. We all suck sometimes, and it’s okay.”

Me: I love your cover of Chelsea Hotel #2 and I think it really highlights your talent and shows your style well. Do you have any other songs in mind that you’d want to cover?

VB: Thank you! I was so nervous because this song is a giant, and it’s written and sung by the giant of all giants. I’ve actually thought about covering a Big Star song, though I’m not sure which, or maybe Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead.

Me: Do you have any projects or upcoming releases you are working on?

VB: “Yes! I’m releasing a new song on November 20th. Devan, my husband, taught me how to use Pro Tools so I recorded and produced a lot of this myself, which I’m really proud of. He helped me bring it to life towards the end no doubt, I don’t really know what I would do without him to be honest. But getting to spend those first days and weeks entirely alone working on it were really special to me because I had never done that before.”

Me: What are some other things that bring you happiness or inspiration besides music?

VB: “I love to read. I always say if I wasn’t doing music I would just open a bookstore someplace beautiful and I would be completely content for the rest of my life. I love books, especially used books, I love how they smell. Nature, too. I love taking walks. And I love to paint. I’m god awful at it, and I can’t draw for shit, but I love to paint. Elliott really loves it too so we do that a lot.”

Me: What are your short terms goals at the moment (1 year)? Long term (5 years)?

VB: “Short term - move! We’re moving to the desert soon, which I’m very excited about it. Long term - buy a home and hopefully, in a post COVID world, travel and tour full time.”

Me: Any random or interesting story you’d like to share?

VB: “A super embarrassing one - Probably 4 or 5 years ago give or take I went to see Shakey Graves play in Atlanta. I went with my boyfriend at the time and we got super super drunk. I don’t even fully remember what happened, but we got the signed set list, made him sign our bottle of tequila and we somehow snuck backstage where I proceeded to play really embarrassingly bad guitar because I was so wasted for everyone in the green room. We ended up in a cop car, though I don’t really remember why, and I woke up with a taco in my bed. It was a shit show. If I ever meet Shakey Graves, I plan on profusely apologizing for being that asshole at his show.”

Ha! The fact that when asked to share a random story about herself, she chose to tell an embarrassing one makes this question even better. I mean you have to learn to laugh at yourself. And honestly, that story made for the perfect end to an interview!

After interviewing Victoria and really taking all of her answers into consideration, it really helps explain why I was instantly gravitated towards her vibe. Her musical influences are some of the same exact artists who are consistently on my music rotation. Her mention of Stevie Nicks and Phoebe Bridgers really resonated with me, as those are some of my comfort artists as well. Also, the fact that Storms by Fleetwood Mac is one of her favorite songs along with Amy Winehouse being a huge influence, really helps piece together how she got to her current sound. That is the main reason why I love asking people simple questions like favorite songs and influences.

When she elaborated on the fact that when people go through dark or undesired times, we often shame ourselves but really just need to have someone give you the feeling of being validated, it really made me appreciate the motive behind her music more. I mean that is what music is all about! Hearing a song that genuinely resonates with you and makes you feel like “you know what, that was shitty of me to do that but someone else understands how I am feeling” or “wow, I have been going through that exact same thing” is so refreshing in those moments. That is one of my absolute favorite things about music, being able to connect or feel heard and understood.  Her putting it out there that as a writer and vocalist those are important in her eyes really gives us an insight into who she is as an artist.

All in all, we cannot overlook how badass it is that she is balancing being a wife, a mother to a toddler, and putting her art out there for the world during a global pandemic. These times are difficult for everyone in our own different ways and it truly is the real and raw artists that pull us through and make us feel understood.

I am eagerly awaiting her new single that drops November 20th and can’t wait to see what else Victoria Bigelow has to share with the world. I highly encourage you to allow yourself to get into your feels, pour a glass of wine and really give her music a listen.

Thanks for reading!