Vanessa Wanner is simply the coolest star in music. At the
moment her CV consist of a number 1 hit single, a platinum award winning album
and even a performance at London's very own Wembley Arena, this young star has
her whole future ahead of her and as she says 'this is only the beginning'...
It was only 6 months
ago that Vanessa was introduced into the hearts of many music fans. Before then
she was simply unknown. “No one knew who I was” she explains. “I was trying to
get into the music industry for so long but every time I was even considered I
was let down again and again. It’s a very hard process reaching the top but I
think I’ve finally done it”. Today, in our local studio in London, we get the
exclusive chance to have a catch up with the star and get to know her from behind
the cameras, as well as an excellent opportunity to go ahead with our shoot.
It’s easy to tell that this girl of only 17 years is truly passionate about her
music. Vanessa has been singing since she was very young (7 years old in fact)
so to be where she is today, she herself couldn’t be happier. “I just can’t
believe I’m actually being interviewed for a music magazine! Everything in my
life at the moment just seems so surreal! Only 6 months ago I was releasing my
first single ‘(single name)’ and since then everything just been crazy. I don’t
think I've had a moment to myself to just take it all in yet”. Clearly fame hasn’t
come at all easy to the indie star but for her age and experience, Vanessa has
dealt with it far better than many young music stars we can name!
Vanessa’s first
single was released in the summer of 2013 and from the beginning the whole
world could tell there was something special about her. Many reviewers agreed
that her style of music sounded different and unique. “I didn’t want to be like
everyone else" says Vanessa seriously. “I mean don’t get me wrong I enjoy chart
music and everything but I wanted my songs to sound a bit more quirky and I
wanted the lyrics overall to be more personal. I think it’s good that people
can relate to your songs and really I guess, just have fun! That’s why I wanted
the balance between both. I want my music to be catchy of course but I also
want people to listen to it and think ‘oh yeah that does sound like my
situation, this song is important to me’”. Personally we think Vanessa’s aim to
make everyone happy seems to be working as her hit single was number one within its
first week of release however she doesn’t think everyone can enjoy her indie
vibes. “Of course not everyone is going to like my material, it might not be
everyone’s cup of tea but if they like it and even go on to purchase my music
then that’s fucking awesome” she laughs.
As Vanessa answers
our questions, it’s immediately noticeable to see how open and calm she is. She's
clearly one confident chick for her age and we wanted to know how she was so relaxed.
“I wouldn’t say I’m that confident, to be honest. I might seem like I’m alright
but most of the time I’m shitting myself. Whenever I get interviewed at
important events and especially when I’m on stage in front of thousands of
people, I get so nervous beforehand that my body starts to shake all over.
However when I’m finally up there singing my songs, all my worries seem to go
away”. Although Vanessa confesses to us about how nervous she gets, she is seen
as one of the most outrageous and lively souls on the planet. Her crazy
performances definitely show her bold character which makes her a prime target
for the music tabloids all around the world. “The attention thing, yeah that’s
something I still can’t quite understand. To me my performances are just a way
to express myself but my style is seen as unusual to many. My style just
completes who I am. Everyday I’m just being me…what you see is what you get!”
Speaking of style,
not only is Vanessa seen as one of the hottest new music stars, she is also a
style icon, making her a role model to girls everywhere. “It’s amazing to think
I have fans that look up to me- not only for my songs but for my fashion
too. Fashion is definitely important to me, after music of course! My style
defines who I am, whether it’s my make-up, my oversized jewellery or my quirky
clothes…they all link to my music, giving it an edge”. As far as indie goes, Vanessa definitely goes
with the individual look. “I mean, it’s not something overly crazy. I wouldn’t
go as far as Lady Gaga but it’s just more interesting than your everyday stuff”
she smiles.
So has style always
been a main aspect for this artist? “Absolutely!” Vanessa exclaims “ever since
I was little I always felt I had my own style but to me, music was always first”.
As Vanessa brings back the subject of music, she again backs up our idea of how
important this industry is to her. “Music has always been my life” she begins
to explain. “I was born into a family full of musicians so in a way, I was
lucky. I guess you could say I was forced into music but personally, I
wouldn’t have it any other way. My siblings all play musical instruments and
all have many different tastes in music – rock, pop, country – you name it! But
for me, I always enjoyed the alternative indie stuff and I preferred singing on
stage to learning how to play an instrument!”
“My mum though, was
also a singer; she’s probably my own role model. I definitely look up to
her!”. Suddenly a big grin is planted on
Vaness's face as she lets us into her past, going through her childhood and
school years, we can tell she is still grounded. “My mum used to sing to me
when I was a baby all the way through my child years so I guess it came natural
to me. It’s like learning how to speak a different language when you’re little;
it’s just automatic. When I was in primary school I entered the school choir.
Now, it seems pretty silly because that wasn’t my style at all but we all have
to start somewhere. When I went to high school, I even joined a band for a couple
of years. We were mainly rock focused. To be honest, I thought it was really cool
and we all got on really well. We had a lot of fun but I just realised it
wasn’t for me, I was born to be a solo artist.”
“Even though I’ve
been through some hard times getting to where I am today, I’ve always had my
friends and family behind me and that’s all I can really ask for”. As we
continue to discuss the positives of being born into a strong musical family
and the security of great friends, we ask Vanessa if she has any new friends on
the scene… “You mean any famous people? Ha! Well yeah, I know a few” she
smirks. “I'm quite close to Hayley from 'Paramore'. She’s so lovely and I adore her
music. I’ve always been a fan of Paramore, ever since I was a young teen so to
become good mates with the lead singer, is really amazing. Surprisingly, we
have a lot in common too like our backgrounds and stuff and the type of music
material we like. I’m also good friends with Taylor from 'The Pretty Reckless',
she’s so stunning! However, I think the most exciting person I recently met at
Wembley was Rihanna. I saw her outside her dressing room; I was so star struck
I couldn’t even get my words right. She seemed like a down to earth girl, you
know just normal. I think she’s fucking amazing. Yep. She’s definitely one of
my idols.”
Speaking of idols,
are there any other music inspirations of Vanessa’s? “Growing up I was always a
fan of 'Evanescence' and bands like that so Amy Lee was one of my greatest role
models, I really got into the goth-pop sort of sound as I liked how original and
different it was and that’s what I plan to make others think of my own music”.
She continues: “Recently however 'Artic Monkeys' and 'Two Door Cinema Club' have definitely
been my favourites. I’ve attended loads of their shows and I just think they’re
amazing live. The tones of their voices and the way they sing sounds really
good, I like the edginess. I also think the overall sound of their songs is
really interesting and this is something I have considered during my own trips
to the studio”.
If her great music
tastes are anything to go by, take it from us that Vanessa’s new album (that
has yes, already gone platinum may we repeat) is a cool mix of alternative and
rocky sounds giving bands such as ‘The Killers’ and indeed ‘The Artic Monkeys’
a run for their money. As well as the music and overall sound being up to
scratch, the lyrics involved are also pretty great. As every song on the album
has been written by Vanessa; each song has an individual meaning and message. “Yes
some songs might be about generally having a good time with your mates” she
confirms, “yet others really are about personal issues, the kind of problems you
go through in your life. I wouldn’t say I’m as deep as ‘Evanescence’ are or as
fun going and up beat like ‘Parmore’ and ‘Two Door Cinema Club’…just a bit in
between”.
It seems like talent
just comes naturally to this young star so we had to ask is there anything this
girl can’t do? “Don’t be silly!” she shouts. “I’m far from perfect. There are
many things I can’t do and I’ve experienced many embarrassing moments in my
career already!” Well, seeing as the topic of embarrassing situations has
already been brought up, there was no need to urge Vanessa to reveal. “For my first
TV performance, I was on a breakfast show singing my first single. I think the performance
actually went alright, especially as it was my first one on live TV but the
interview after was so awkward! I had to do my best to promote my music but I completely
forgot the release date, my tour dates, everything! My mind just went blank.
In the end one of the team members from my management had to whisper to me live
on air. It was so obvious and everyone in the studio was laughing including the
presenters”. If that wasn’t bad enough, Vanessa goes on to tell us about her
recent famous wardrobe malfunction. “Oh god” she hangs her head in shame. “I don’t
even know what to say, all I can remember is I was really nervous so I wanted
to get myself ready, you know to calm myself down but I didn’t realise I had my
shoes on the wrong feet till I started singing on stage. Everyone noticed but I
tried to save myself by acting like nothing was wrong”.
Interview nearly
over, Vanessa relaxes on the sofa with a cup of tea in one hand. She seems
close to world domination but really she’s still a family girl at heart and we
can safely say fame hasn’t changed her.
Check Vanessa’s new single ‘single name’ as well as her new
Album ‘album name’, both available to buy on iTunes now.
-The pieces of text that are highlighted above are ideas for my pull quotes in my articles-
