THE TAKE 5 SERIES
Viiq
We were joined by singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer Viiq as part of our Take10 series. She told us about what got her into dance music, her childhood habits, and how she jumps into the deep end with all things in life.
Viiq is a multi-talented producer from New Jersey with mixed Filipino and Italian heritage. Her background and talents have led to her producing EDM influenced by anything from emo-pun to house to jazz piano.
She is known as a ghostwriter at the top of her game, but her solo work is beginning to achieve the acclaim it deserves. Listeners love how Viiq’s brand of EDM is thoughtful and intelligent, delivering deep emotional connections with the listener. It does all of this while not sacrificing any danceability.
Her recent release “Heartless” allowed Viiq to show what she is truly capable of. She was rewarded for the track, which was instantly noticed as a future classic when it was selected as a SiriusXM BPM Breaker.
With performances at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and SXSW Music Festival already behind her, Viiq has the experience to take her career even further. So keep up with her feed, and listen to Nexus Radio to keep up with her latest releases.
Q: Before we dig in, what's next for you?
I have many exciting projects and collaborations in the works right now, in various stages of completion. For example, I wrote this kind of folky song recently that is entirely out of my usual genre of music I usually release, but I like it, so I might release it!
Q: Why did you choose to make dance music?
Well, I’ve always loved straight-up pop music, and making dance music just kind of feels like an extension of that. So they’re pop songs, and I like writing those in all forms when it comes down to it.
Q: How important are lyrics?
Lyrics are the most important thing about a song to me. If the lyrics can’t hold up in an acoustic version of a song, I probably won’t release it. It must tell a cohesive story, even if it’s a simple one.
Q: What do you think of Robots making music?
That’s pretty sick. I would definitely write a song with a robot.
Q: What's something everyone should experience at least once in their life?
Everyone should bungee jump off of a bridge at least once in their lives! I jumped off Victoria Falls in Africa like 2 years ago…by far the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
Hey, you might want to check this out
Q: Do you ever sing while taking a shower or having a bath? Why is this popular? Do you sing in tune?
I definitely sing in the shower, but quietly because there was always 100 people in my house. And now that I live in NYC I always think the neighbors can hear my every move…so I try to be on key for them.
Q: What was the weirdest habit you had as a child?
When Blue’s Clues played, I would run-up to the screen and tell everyone, “that’s my BOYFRIEND!” whenever Steve came on. Like, over and over again.
Q: What invention would advance humanity the most if you could go back in time and inspire someone to make a present-day invention?
Not to have such a chronically online take but…downloadable food!
Q: Can You Dream Of Having A Dream?
Similar to Inception? I never have, but I’m sure it’s possible. What I DO do a lot is wake up, accidentally fall back asleep, dream of getting up and getting ready for my day (brush my teeth, wash my face, change my clothes, etc.), and then right before I “walk out the door” I wake up and feel like I have to start over again. Like everyday.
Q: What double standard is ridiculous and needs to be ended?
When a baby starts screaming in public, everyone comes running to their rescue to coo at them and squish their cheeks…but when I do it, I get kicked out of Applebee’s? Not a single cheek squish? Honestly ridiculous.
