VASSY & Afrojack team up for “LOST”

After breaking into the Spotify viral charts in five countries and hitting #4 on Beatport in its first week, "LOST" has now accumulated over 3 million combined streams. Released by Armada Music, Vassy's new single “LOST” is made in collaboration with Dutch star Afrojack and Amsterdam-based producer Oliver Rosa, and may just require all three to clear some space in their respective trophy rooms.

A titanic team-up, brilliant composition and potential chart-breaker in one, “LOST” traverses the pop and dance music realms while remaining emotive and progressive at its core. Catching fire through the warmth of VASSY’s eruptive vocals only to see it’s burning flames kindled by its infectious piano chord stabs and well-crafted builds, “LOST” proves a song the whole world could lose itself in.

In an exclusive interview with fashionado, VASSY talks fashion, personal style, working with Afrojack and what's in her future:

fashionado: We live in a world where Image sometimes is everything. What image are you looking to portray to your fans a one of the leading vocalists in the world today? 

VASSY: I like to stay natural and be myself not trying to Portray any image in particular but one that shows people I’m comfortable in my own skin and proud of who I am and embrace all my qualities as a woman.

fashionado: As your fame and popularity climbs do you feel there is a greater focus on you and your personal style? 

VASSY: Yes. I do sometimes I feel like just being a bit of a tomboy other times I want to put on my Ferragamo stilettos and a fancy dress. It depends on how I feel; I like to just be true to myself and not force anything when it comes to style and fashion.

fashionado: How did the collaboration with you and Afrojack happen and what's the inside scoop on what it took to place? 

VASSY: We met a couple years back on a project and always talked about working on a record together so it was an organic process and this was the right record to work on. He’s cool, talented, easy to work with and he was very supportive.

fashionado: With the success of 'Lost' what is on the burner for you musically for 2018? What projects do you have in the works and will we see you on the MainStage singing 'Lost' during Ultra and Miami Music Week? 

VASSY: I’m working on my solo projects and I do have a couple of collaborations: one with Tiësto and one with Armin van Buuren & so on... Yes, you might see me in Miami :-)

fashionado: The cover of 'Lost' is stunning. When selecting the wardrobe for the cover did someone put it all together for you and if so what was their name, or did you put it together and if so what look did you want it to convey for the fans of your music? 

Yes I had an idea of what I wanted to wear. I wanted to do all black, slick and simple, a little lacy and feminine but strong. I worked with the stylist Madison Dixon based here in Los Angeles, she was so much fun to work with.

fashionado: If you had to pick who would your Top 5 fashion designers in the world? 

VASSY: This is tough!
I love Chanel - bags and make up.
Ferragamo for shoes. 
Ted Baker for (more) bags.
Prada for sunglasses.
Wow Couture for sexy clothing - they make incredible things that works for women with curves.
Express for cool shirts, believe it or not!
Adidas for sporty stuff.

fashionado

Can Rock Get Back On Top?

Foo Fighters

The Killers

Lots of music fans were surprised to read earlier this month that for the first time in U.S. history,  hip-hop is bigger than rock. The rankings lump hip-hop and R&B in together, but that combined genre apparently makes up 25.1 percent of all music consumption, with rock at 23 percent. Interestingly enough, the flip in rankings appears to be largely thanks to the changing nature of music consumption. When rock was on top, CD sales and digital downloads represented the primary ways that people listened to songs and albums. Now streaming is king, and young people (who mostly prefer the dynamic feel of hip-hop and R&B to the kind of stagnant vibe of rock) are most comfortable with it.

Because of that trend toward streaming in younger generations, this seems less like a one-time switch and more like a lasting condition. It feels likely that if we check the numbers again in a year, or in five years, hip-hop’s lead may even grow. That calls to mind the question of if there is any way rock can get back on top. And if so, what is it?

One thing to consider is that rock bands could continue to reach out to younger generations through creative means. We’ve seen this work wonders for a few of the older, “classic” rock groups that are still popular today. Some of these groups have done well by licensing material to websites presenting collections of casino games. Video slots have come to excel and differentiate themselves through live action backgrounds and in-game animations, which brings opportunities for all kinds of themes and source material. Artists like Guns N’ Roses, Motörhead, and even Jimi Hendrix have all benefited from having their material used in games like these.

Whether or not online video slots are the best avenue by which to reach younger people is debatable. But the general idea of licensing songs and imagery in video games is potentially a lucrative concept for rock bands. Those that are still active and losing ground to hip-hop and R&B would do well to explore the idea.

Another interesting thing to consider, particularly in light of the sudden and tragic passing of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, is blending rock with other, more “modern” genres. One article about Bennington’s impact on music suggested that Linkin Park and the album “Hybrid Theory” changed the face of rock music. That’s debatable, but one quote from Bennington included in the piece is still relevant today. Confronting the idea that Linkin Park had in any way damaged the integrity of metal, Bennington argued, “I think that’s funny… In my opinion, we actually kept metal alive.” These are words modern rock musicians might want to give some serious thought to. The implication is that by blending genres—pairing Bennington’s metal vocals with pop riffs and rap verses—Linkin Park actually extended and adapted a genre. It’s definitely one way rock could regain some ground.

One final way back to the forefront might be through movie soundtracks. We’ve seen a rebirth of the meaningful soundtrack of late, with movies from Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 to Baby Driver being recognized as much for their musical content as for their actual plots and characters. The trouble is that movies like these tend to use mostly old, classic material. It would be interesting to see a modern rock group partner with a director or production crew to engineer the bulk of the soundtrack for a big budget action or adventure movie. Given the renewed emphasis on soundtracks it could push whichever group pulled it off toward the top of the charts.

All in all, it seems unlikely that rock will rebound. The trend toward streaming probably means that hip-hop and R&B will stay on top for a while, and pop music could similarly benefit. But if rock musicians are hoping to gain ground, these are a few of the ways they might do it.

fashionado