Interviews: Vanity Fear

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band, Vanity Fear from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Matt: I came up with the name several years ago while watching TV one night and it just hit me like lightening, and I knew I had to save it for the right project and that day finally came! It’s a clever play on the famous pop culture publication Vanity Fair on the surface, but is actually a metaphor for modern culture. As a society we use our vanity to cover our fear. Fear of what others think, how you look, what you feel. And if that’s too deep and pretentious, then it also sounds really cool.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

VF: Our unique sound is one that we found organically. We all come from different musical backgrounds with a wide variety of influences, and we feel that is what contributes to our eclectic sound.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

VF: Some of us are related and some worked together on projects in the past. We all come from the same network of musicians in the Columbus, GA area and eventually joined forces, kind of like a musical Avengers.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Matt: It depends on when you ask me that question, but I’d have to say Bring Me The Horizon and 311. 

Heather: Same, depends on the day, but today it's Chevelle. Tomorrow, it may be Massive Attack. 

Brandon: Changes all the time. Right now it’s a group called MILKBLOOD. 

Jeff: Killswitch Engage and The Foo Fighters - That old saying....."never meet your heroes" just does not apply to these bands. 

Kyle: Favorite band changes every day, it seems, but ill give you a group of favorites. Radiohead, Karnivool, Mutemath, and Twelve Foot Ninja.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

VF: Each of us have a different approach to the writing process. Whether it’s personal tragedy, anger, social awareness, or just as simple as mood or tonal direction of the project; we all find a way to make it meld together into something sonically beautiful.

6. Where was your last gig?

VF: Unfortunately with COVID restrictions we really haven’t played anywhere. We did get together and perform acoustic versions of our two 2020 releases, EP:Faith & Optophobia. You can see these live performances from Unplug 2020 on our YouTube channel now!

7. Where would you like to perform? 

Matt: I’ve always wanted to play the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA. I love that it’s an old church turned venue hall and it’s large enough to have a great show but small enough that everyone has a great seat! 

Brandon: There is one place I really want to play, and that’s the Royal Albert Music Hall. 

Heather: San Francisco Haight Ashbury 

Jeff: House of Blues. It was THE live venue icon for me when I was growing up. 

Kyle: Easy, the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

Brandon: Our vision of shows are pretty theatrical, so the bands we play with would have to be equally as theatrical. 30 Seconds to Mars and Rammstein would be at the top of my list. 

Matt: BMTH, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Incubus 

Heather: Chevelle, Chaka Kahn (LOL) 

Jeff: Killswitch Engage 

Kyle: Thirty Seconds to Mars 

9. Whom not?

Brandon: We love collaboration and would love to play with anyone so long as it makes sense. So… Blues Traveler? 

Matt: Fiver Finger Death Punch 

Heather: Bobby Brown 

Jeff: I’ll play with anyone 

Kyle: This is a slightly tricky question, but I would say My Darkest Day

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

VF: Everyone has nerves just before they go out on stage but, I always feel like stage fright typically comes from being unprepared. If you are practiced and ready, just remember that everyone in the audience is there to see you shine, not fail. So just go out there, rely on your rehearsals, and shine as bright as you possibly can!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

VF: Collectively we pull from an eclectic pool of artists from Killswitch Engage to Tool, BMTH, Massive Attack, and even Hans Zimmer.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

VF: We haven’t really had any weird requests, except for one time when a fan asked for Jeff’s sweaty shirt after a show. Guess that’s pretty weird, and sweaty lol.

13. What do you think of your fans?

VF: We have seen a varied geographical response ranging from Indonesia to Mexico and everywhere in between. Recently, we have seen an uptick in the UK as well. To have just one fan is an achievement to your work, so Vanity Fear and say that we are always grateful to our fans and will always be accessible to them. We hope to correspond with them so please feel free to reach out! The supports means the world to us. 

14. What do you think of our site?

VF: This was actually our first interaction with your site but we are thoroughly impressed! We love the support and exposure your site provides for bands like us and we know that getting anywhere in this industry would be nearly impossible without publications like this! You guys ROCK!!

15. Something to add?

VF: We’ve just begun pre-production on our 4th full album, and it’s going to be killer! It’s a cyberpunk concept album that you as a fan can actually be a part of! 

Check out our Kickstarter campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vanityfear/new-eden-1 and see how you can be an executive producer!