Se7en Magazine - Politics, Film, Music and Culture

The vivacious VV Brown

Written by Sevencam
Thursday, 08 January 2009 00:00

She’s hotly tipped to be one of the starlets of 2009, with critics around the globe eagerly awaiting her debut album, Travelling Like the Light. And if that wasn’t enough, in a former life, she was an R&B star who wrote songs for The Pussy Cat Dolls and Sugababes. But now she’s back for a second crack at the big time and you’d be crazy to bet against this fantastic lady achieving her goal. The artist formerly known as Vanessa, but reborn as the vivacious VV Brown, spoke to Seven’s editor about her amazing career so far.

SEVEN: Hi VV. What have you been up to today?

VV: I’m on my way to BBC Radio for an interview for the sound polls.

SEVEN: Tell us a little about when you were growing up.

VV: I was a quiet child, always kinda in my own world. I never fitted in well at school and loved reading a lot. From a young age, I always wanted to express myself and loved music and theatre.

SEVEN: How did you get your break in the industry?

VV: I don't think I've quite broken in yet. However, I thinking gigging around London and becoming more hands-on by producing my own music has helped things happen, leading me to where I am positioned now.

VV Brown

SEVEN: You were initially launched as Vanessa. What made you change your name as an artist?

VV: It’s a nickname I always had. My closest mates would use it when they would call me. Even when they tried to launch me before, Vanessa felt quite formal, as I was really known as VV. I chose VV as a name this time too so it represented who I am to my friends.

SEVEN: You’re clearly dedicated to your music career, having turned down a place at the London School of Economics to take up a record contract. Was it a tough call to make at the time?

VV: Not all. I believe when you love something you run full steam ahead at it. I'm a wild and passionate person and find it hard to do something or be in something that I'm not helplessly smitten by.

Music was my first love. I read a lot of books and allowed my intellectual growth to take place through that, travelling to unusual places and just talking to people.

The most intelligent person I ever met was a homeless guy on a bench. He went to Oxford and he gave me some wise words: “refuse to be a puppet of institutionalized intelligence." That's what I intend to do.

SEVEN: How would you describe your music?

VV: 50’s synth madness.

VV Brown

SEVEN: What can we expect from your debut album (amazing cover), Travelling Like the Light?

VV: Hopefully, a collage of small little sonic niblets of my experiences, thoughts and challenges.

SEVEN: What do you hope to achieve in 2009?

VV: Recognition of credibility, live gigs and the foundation for longevity.

SEVEN: What was it like performing as a backing singer for Madonna and the Pussy Cat Dolls and how has it helped your career?

VV: Experience is always good. It’s definitely not as glamorous as it seems though. It helped me eat food.

SEVEN: You also write and produce music. Which instruments do you play?

VV: I play piano, drums, melodica, guitar (one string), trumpet, recorder, and bass.... I love producing. It’s an evolving process of pure creativity. I'm very spontaneous when I'm in the studio. I like to jump from one to the other. It’s so liberating. I'm quite impatient and the engineers I work with get frustrated with my Spider-Woman music tactics.

SEVEN: Which songs did you write for the Sugababes and Pussy Cat Dolls, and which other artists would you like to write for?

VV: I penned “Denial” and “No Can Do” for the Sugababes and “I Don't Need a Man” for the Pussy Cat Dolls.

I'd love to write a song for Imogen Heap, although, she's so amazing she wouldn't need a song from me!

Little Boots

SEVEN: You say you try and get into the minds of the artists you write for; did that frame of mind help you during the “enforced” R&B stage?

VV: Absolutely. That stage was definitely acting out a role that wasn't me, so it helped, but it was exhausting, emotionally-mutilating and draining to have to be this person all the time when all I wanted was a cup of tea, a keyboard, Pro Tools and my own space.

SEVEN: Northampton seems to be producing some really great young talent at the moment, with yourself and the new Doctor Who, Matt Smith, coming from that area. Is there a burgeoning arts scene in the town?

VV: There definitely is and a huge music scene. They really appreciate the art there and it’s not pretentious and political, which I feel the London scene can be at times.

SEVEN: Who are your favourite artists?

VV: Imogen Heap, Feist, Regina Spektor and The Specials. At the moment I’m absolutely loving the Fleet Foxes; also, Ruth Brown and Stravinsky. There are so many!

SEVEN: Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

VV: I can do the splits.

SEVEN: Do you think record companies have a tendency to push black female artists into the R&B genre?

VV: Absolutely. I understand it’s a psychological predilection due to stereotypes. As well as this, a lot are afraid to take risks and do something different, so conforming to the norm is easier. Isn't art about risk, fusion and innovation?

VV Brown

SEVEN: I see artists like yourself, Bridgette Amofah and Janelle Monae as part of a new wave of black female artists continuing the good work started by Grace Jones by diversifying the music output produced by (and the representation of) black female artists in the industry. Agree or disagree?

VV: I agree. Hopefully each artist among this wave will be celebrated individually as sometimes I feel that we can be put in the same box because there are not many and, because of this, there is a tendency to say that one is similar to the other when in fact they are different.

SEVEN: You were invited by Damon Albarn to be part of Africa Express. How was that experience, and would you like to be involved in more positive social/music movements in the future?

VV: Absolutely. Africa Express was amazing! I definitely want to contribute beyond just making music. I love working with children, so perhaps something in that field. Whatever I can do to make a difference. Music can make you self-consumed if you’re not careful, so it’s important to give and use your love for music to create mini revolutions.

SEVEN: How does VV Brown like to unwind after a hard day’s work?

VV: I listen to classical music on my vinyl player that I bought from a market in Africa with a glass of red wine.

SEVEN: Your looks are stunning. Have you been offered the opportunity to model?

VV: Thanks... [blushing]. Yes, by Select Models. Interesting story. I met the head booker on a plane and we happened to be sitting next to each other. We nattered away about men and she asked me if I modelled. Today we are good friends and work alongside music and fashion. She's lovely, Sarah!

SEVEN: Your flat top hairstyle is amazing. How long does it take to get it that way?

VV: It takes seconds now. Being on the road a lot and drunk, you learn to do things you never thought you could.