Victoria Bass is a 2nd-year Vocal Degree student at ACM Guildford.
Guest interview by Music Business student Catherine Nestorovic.
Hi Victoria, thank you for joining us today. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself and your music?
Hi, thanks for asking me! I’m a singer- songwriter who plays modern music with a vintage twist. I’m really influenced by music and fashion from the past and like to merge them with the present.
What does image mean to you? How do you apply it to your creative artistry?
I believe image plays a big part in my creative artistry. My image allows people to understand that I love vintage fashion, especially from the 1950s. Building up your image also allows you to start thinking about yourself and your music as a brand.
What got you into music? Who and what inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry?
I’ve always loved performing, and listening to music. I don’t think one person inspired me, I think it was a combination of watching other artists perform and being inspired, and then when I had my first professional performance experience at the age of fourteen it made me want to pursue music properly.
What is your usual writing, recording process? Do you have any routines or creative patterns that help you?
I like to write lyrics as if I am writing a story. I will therefore end up with lots of writing that I will then go through to highlighting key lines and words that end up being the lyrics of a song.
When it comes to recording I like to be as prepared as possible. It’s always good to have lyrics with you even if you know them off by heart because you don’t want to worry about getting them wrong or altering the structure without meaning to.
What would you say has been your biggest achievement so far?
I believe my biggest musical achievement so far is working with the UK’s number one Jive & Swing Band (The Jive Aces). Through this band I’ve experienced playing in front of lots of people at amazing venues such as Boisdale in Canary Wharf, a restaurant where Jools Holland is a patron. Moreover, they have given me the opportunity to perform with them at Bestival this September!
Do you have any upcoming gigs? What’s your favourite song to play live?
Yes, I have a few gigs in my hometown of Folkestone this month.
My favourite original song to perform live is called Goodnight. It’s a song that I can really put emotion into because the story behind the lyrics means a lot to me.
I am also performing at Chelsea Flower Show this month with The Jive Aces, and I have gigs in London and Liverpool as a backing vocalist for Kaya Herstad-Carney’s band (The Science of The Lamps).
How do you feel that ACM has helped shaped your creative artistry? Would you recommend ACM to prospective students?
I believe ACM has helped shape my creative artistry as I’ve learnt how to do things that have enabled me to become a better songwriter. I’ve learnt how to use a basic production set up so that I can confidently record demos of my songs.
Plus, I’ve also learnt lots about the music business and how to market myself as an artist, and who my potential target market should be.
What are your immediate career goals? (1-3 years)
In the next three years I plan to be performing at least 4 times a week.
Live performance is my favourite aspect of being an artist, I absolutely love putting on a show. Therefore this is the aspect I want to focus on in the immediate future.
As well as releasing my first EP which will be in August this year!
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have any links or social media accounts?
The main way fans gain access to my music is through Facebook because it links them through to further sites. Here’s a list of my social media sites!
Finally, What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue a career in the industry?
The only advice I could give is to work hard and be yourself. Play the music you love! Don’t let other people tell you there isn’t a market for what you want to do, because somewhere in the world there will be.
If you’d like to be a student at ACM to kickstart your career in the music industry like Victoria Bass, please call our Admissions Team on 01483 500 841 or visit www.acm.ac.uk/open-days/ to book a place on an ACM Open Day today.
