An Interview with victoria said

A new single release from victoria said delivers a very unique brand of honesty, giving the track a robust character that you end up getting attached to right from the start. This track digs a little deep into the artist's inner self, and some of those thoughts come spilling out for everyone to soak in.

I love songs like this because I can connect with them on different levels because of that honesty.

The track is called "self sabotage" and along with that wonderful honesty and character delivery, it has a poppy and colorful overtone that feels both contemporary and commercial.

The track features guitars with smooth tones and live drums and vibrant bass guitar lines that all come together and help deliver an atmosphere that you don't want to leave.

Victoria has an amazing vocal approach because it's got a lot of soul behind it. She's a very soulful singer, and her voice comes out with a sort of deepening and full-bodied feel, so it gets under your skin in the best ways possible.

Her singing is R&B style, and the combination of that contemporary pop along with her R&B vocal approach works amazingly here.

It is the combination of personality and that wonderful pop overcoat that really makes the song special because it has something that is relatable for a lot of us.

The song, for me, touches on struggling with certain attributes of oneself. A lot of us have these kinds of struggles or inner thoughts, but don't really know how to articulate them into words, let alone words of music so when we hear a song like this again, it's automatically connected to us.

The track has such a spirited vibe. I dig songs with such a vibrancy and spirit, along with that honesty, and talk about something real.

It shows that Victoria knows how to write a song that's catchy, fun, addictive, has a pop overtone, but still delves into personal aspects of her own life, so you know it all came from someplace completely authentic.

This is the true mark of someone who knows exactly the kind of aesthetic that they're going for, and as an artist, Victoria has taken strides to hit exactly what division was.

The energy and layers of texture are balanced really well on the track, and all in all, it's super danceable with a deep groove, and that's part of what makes it fun.

I think listeners will like the song for different reasons.

Some people will dig that honesty and understand where she's coming from on a personal level, while others want to just get up and dance to the song.

Then there will be people who love both of those things, like me.

This is a track that I connected with, and I love this kind of youthful and outright set of truths that she's able to put out there for everyone. To me, that takes bravery, and perhaps the song was even a bit cathartic for her to write and release.

After digging into this track, we wanted to have a chat with Victoria to find out where the song actually did come from and what might be coming up next for the artist.

Here's what happened.

Buzz Slayers: This track felt a bit personal to me. Honest lyrics and a crisp pop vibe! Where did this track come from exactly?

A: Yes, honestly, I think my songs do get a little personal; I think writing and sharing songs is such a vulnerable thing to do, and artists, including me, are just naturally going to write about personal experiences, pain, and growth- it's beautiful! I feel like I've been battling myself the past few years and trying to break free from feeding into unhealthy patterns and choosing relationships around me that weren't mutually respectful or uplifting. I've been trying to get out of a cycle of "self sabotage," which is the title of the track. I know that the people who resonate with this single just get it. Through the pain, comes beauty. Sometimes the self-sabotage is not fully gone. It's a struggle to develop a relationship with yourself and love yourself to the point that you're willing to move on from environments and people where there is no growth, it makes you feel worse. Self-love is about decision-making and boundaries too. That's been a huge epiphany for me. "Self sabotage" is about being in one of the unhealthiest relationships I've been in, trying to help someone battle their own demons when they did not even want the help. I was being so incredibly mistreated, fighting for my boundaries, and trying to share my past, and none of it mattered. I made some mistakes and I was misled that this meant any mistreatment towards me was justified. Pretty much, I was told I was the one who ruined any chance of a good relationship with them with self-sabotaging, but in actuality, I felt the toxic energy coming at me from the start. I knew it wasn't healthy, or right for me. If you listen to the lyrics of my song, I say phrases like, "Take over all my space" and "I think I did this to myself." I say how it's affecting my life- "it's affecting my health," and "losing all my rest, take out every frustration." I was ashamed of the person I was becoming. I am being very real in the fact that I willingly was having someone so wrong for me come in and out of my life, and I was truly fighting with intense feelings of regret and blame. You hear the phrase "it's my fault" repeated over and over at the end. Any repetition is very intentional. This whole time in my life made me feel like I regressed in any progress I made. I hope what people take away from the song is that you are in control of a lot in your life. I'm sending my love, and don't self-sabotage !! Anyone listening deserves healthy love, and will find it. Have patience and let go of anything else that does not feel like that along the way. There is love all around too, even if it's not romantic. I have to remind myself of that. 

I created this track with artist and friend Gregory Couches. He showed me a folder of instrumentals he had for a while, and as soon as I heard what is now the track of "self sabotage," the melody and lyrics just came right away. I think I sent him a voice memo of my verse and chorus idea a day or two later. He's such a talented instrumentalist and has been so awesome throughout this experience. I've really been enjoying recording with Nicholas Starrantino at Dead End Studios, who mixed and mastered as well. 

Buzz Slayers: I am hearing several approaches to this one song. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: Ooh. This is such a good question. I listen to many artists on my Spotify. When I write, I can sometimes pick out a combination of artists that may have inspired the sound. For "self sabotage" it's not exactly as clear in my head. I love the indie genre in general - pop, rock, r&b. I think I started by being introduced to "bedroom pop" like 6 years ago now by a friend, and Rex Orange County and Still Woozy was where I started off. I'm really loving women in music like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, sza, Sabrina Sterling, Alameda, Lola Young - and some male artists/bands like Steve Lacy, Djo, Daniel Cesar, Noah Kahan, Ed Sheeran, Del Water Gap, and Cool Company. Even if I like one song from some artists that I come across, it influences me. I think that rap also influences some of my vocal and rhythmic choices. 

Buzz Slayers: When did this all start for you as an artist?

A: I've been singing ever since I was a kid. I would always be singing on the karaoke machine that my dad got me. He pushed me to get into vocal lessons when I was nine years old, and I did more music lessons throughout high school with guitar, voice, and piano. I did duos with my twin sister, who plays keys. We would make Youtube covers together all the time and make little music videos of songs we recorded. I was always surrounded by theatre, creativity, and music. I wrote songs here and there when I was a teenager and in my early 20s, but I my songs started sticking when I was 22. I think it was my lived experiences that pushed my writing capabilities. My solo project "victoria said" began just over 2 years ago with the release of my debut single, "Through (thank you)," a song about a friendship split. Since then, I've released emotional songs like "hope you don't sleep good tonight" with visuals of me sitting on the Brooklyn Bridge, "Miss Out on Love," "Lovely," a love song, etc. These became part of my EP, "What Love's Supposed to Feel Like," which was released in May 2024. 

Buzz Slayers: Do you produce your own stuff or do you work with a producer for your releases?

A: I've been working with people to produce my original songs. "Self sabotage" was produced by artist Gregory Couches. He's a friend and such a talented musician. He showed me a folder of instrumentals he had for a while back in January 2024, and as soon as I heard what is now the track of "self sabotage," the melody and lyrics just came right away. I think I sent him a voice memo of my verse and chorus idea a day or two later. It's been so awesome collaborating. I've also really been enjoying working with Nicholas Starrantino at Dead End Studios, where I recorded vocals. Nick mixed and mastered the single as well. My EP and some of my first singles were produced by Sarah Gross, a very talented artist that I've been thankful to work with. 

Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?

A: I have been doing original sets around Long Island whenever I can! I have a local cafe gig coming up at cafe- Soulbrew- with other talented artists. I was recently was part of Blue Point's Battle of the Bands with my full band too which was so amazing. Other places I've played with the band are Industrymakers in Huntington (my favorite spot) and Firstlive in Brooklyn. I also have been doing cover gigs as a side job for years, which can be a lot of fun, but my heart is in songwriting! I try to squeeze in my own songs in the sets. It's nice to know I can add to the atmosphere and make people feel present. 

Buzz Slayers: Now that this track is released, what's next for you as an artist?

A: I'm so glad that this track was released, and I think that crossing paths with certain artists has influenced my sound a lot. Of course, I have ideas on my own, but collaboration can just open doors. The songs I have coming up explore a pop/rock sound in a new way for me. I showed so many ideas to my band and engineer and they have created beautiful arrangements with me and brought the songs to life, and the next level. I just want to shout out some musicians I've been working with (Cesar Zepeda- guitar, Sean Cortese- bass, Nick Barone- keys) for recording and arranging throughout the years. I'm so excited for everyone to hear what's been recorded at Dead End Studios!! 

Buzz Slayers: Who is in your headphones right now?

A: Hmm... I'll name a few artists. I've been listening to Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's new album, Ariana Grande, Tom, Odell, and Leon Thomas! 

Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're not making music?

A: When I'm not making music, I am doing schoolwork most likely. I'm finishing my first year of my master's program and then I got one more year to go. It's been a lot of work, but I feel very aligned at this point in my life trying to spread healing through my music, and also with my MSW. I'm also either cooking, seeing a concert, spending time with friends and family, reading, in nature- enjoying the simple things with a little adventure now and then : ) 

Buzz Slayers: Is there anything in the works right now? 

A: Absolutely. Last year I recorded a project I'm so excited about. That has yet to come out, and I just wrapped up in the studio with my band for another song. 

Buzz Slayers: As a young artist getting your music heard, what kind of advice might you have to others trying to get themselves out there?

A: What I have to say is, DO IT! If you know your stuff is good and vulnerable, and catchy, share it when you're ready. It can be the scariest thing to put yourself out there but be yourself and be authentic. What I'll say is, that you have to be so confident in yourself and love your art that it shouldn't matter if people may not resonate or comment. First- your art is for yourself, and then when you share, it's for others to interpret what it means for them. You will catch the people that resonate, as long as you are sharing and promoting yourself. Find your audience- they're out there, and they may really need your art and hear what you have to say. Don't be hung up on not getting the engagement or attention at first. Be consistent and continue to release quality content and trust me people will start to pay attention. 

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