Via DeRoche is a vocalist and songwriter based in Brooklyn, who has emerged as a magnetic musical presence, transporting listeners to a nostalgic era where alluring melodies and unfiltered emotions intertwine beneath the moonlight.
Her voice echoes the soulful legends of Stevie Nicks, channels the fearless spirit of Janis Joplin, and embodies the modern charisma of Amy Winehouse. Via effortlessly navigates across genres, seamlessly weaving soul, blues, and alt-rock in her music. Her latest EP, “Orange Sky,” has garnered acclaim from both fans and critics alike.
Guided by Solange’s innovative approach to artistic expression, Via incorporates visual storytelling and electrifying live performances into her own creative journey. Stevie Nicks, a fellow curly-haired, stage-dancing songwriter, serves as a profound influence, inspiring Via to pursue unwavering authenticity in her distinct sound, irrespective of genre evolution.
The incomparable vocal prowess of Etta James holds a special place in Via’s heart, inspiring her to create timeless music. These influential artists have broadened her horizons, shaping her songwriting and instrumental exploration.
Describing her music as “deceivingly honest,” Via creates lyrics and melodies that act as a sanctuary for vulnerability. Drawing inspiration from renowned female songwriters, her music comfortably resides within the alt-rock and singer-songwriter genres, where profound emotions find solace beneath beautiful melodies.
Via’s musical evolution is a constant journey. While her early work leaned towards pop and R&B, her artistic maturity led her towards big-band alt-rock. Tailor-made for live performances, each project’s narrative seamlessly translates to her electrifying shows as she aims to expand her connection with the audience.
Via’s songwriting process is driven by eclectic sources of inspiration, often guided by a stream of consciousness. Her creative process, far from linear, results in songs emerging in bursts of inspiration. Sonically, her work reflects the artists she immerses herself in at any given moment, with literature, especially poetry and personal essays, playing a pivotal role in sparking her creativity. “Orange Sky,” for instance, was born from the resonating words of Qiu Miaojin’s “Last Words From Montmartre.”
In every haunting melody and evocative lyric, Via DeRoche invites listeners to delve into the depths of emotion, taking them on an intimate journey through the corridors of her soul. Her music, a fusion of timeless influences and personal evolution, resonates with the raw authenticity of life’s most profound experiences.
As she continues to redefine her sound and craft, the anticipation grows for the captivating stories Via has yet to share. With each release, she leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of her listeners, creating a musical legacy destined to echo through the ages.
We caught up with Via, below!
How has your music evolved from your early work, which leaned toward pop and R&B, to your current big-band alt-rock style?
My style has always reflected what I’m listening to. When I first started making music I didn’t have a strong sense of self or style, I borrowed favorites from friends and built my taste upon what people around me were listening to. But as I’ve grown into myself both musically and as a person, I’ve been able to hone in on what it is I truly like. I think this evolution also came from wanting to play with more musicians. When I started, their was a need to keep it simple while operating with fewer resources. But now I’m incredibly lucky to have a large community of musicians who give their time and talents to my music.
What is it about live performances that makes your music tailor-made for them, and how do you translate your projects’ narratives into electrifying shows?
My songs are so narrative driven that it feels like I’m telling a story. I think this makes my shows extremely personable. Each song is a direct offering to the audience about me and my life. The set list is crafted to create an over arching story that brings the audience from one place to another. It always feels like a grown up story time which I love.
What aspects of the performance are you looking to expand and share with your audience in the future?
I’m incredibly excited to scale up my shows and have more musicians involved. I think community is everything and part of what makes live shows so incredibly special is the palpable energy of people being together. I want to create more of that on the stage and find ways to expand the impact we can have on an audience.
Can you discuss your eclectic sources of inspiration and how they guide your songwriting process?
I really love the mundane. I’m constantly in my notes app recounting tiny moments and things I’ve seen throughout my day. I think alot of my writing stems from my most ordinary experiences. When I wrote “Farrah Fawcett” I had just come home from the grocery store where I had a lovely conversation with a man whose daughter was moving across the country latter that day. The song stemmed from all the ways I could imagine a father and daughter say goodbye in a moment like that. I’ve struggled in the past trying to write songs about big momentous occasions or concepts but I find the small moments often make the best songs.
Your creative process is described as non-linear, with songs emerging in bursts of inspiration. How do you capture those moments?
I book it home so I can jot it all down in time or I hide in the bathroom and record as many voice memos as I can. It always feel urgent and hilarious, a big part of my year has been trying to add some routine and discipline to my writing process. But when it strikes you have to welcome it!
Could you share some examples of literary influences in your music and how they contribute to your creative process?
Most of my writing is stream of consciousness so I always feel at my best when I have something substantial to sit with and work from. Ocean Vuong and Alexander Chee are two authors I’ve been deep diving this year. I find their work unmatched and their ability to weave memoir with fiction absolutely fascinating. Listening to their interviews about their writing process has been a pilar of my growth this year.
“Orange Sky” is mentioned as being inspired by Qiu Miaojin’s “Last Words From Montmartre.” Can you delve deeper into how literature influenced this song?
There is an excerpt from the book that reads, “The two times in my life I could’ve had eternal, perfect love both wilted on the vine. I’ve ripened, wilted, fallen. […] But even if I only blossomed for a split second, I blossomed fully.” It resonated so much with my experience at the time. Right after I read this quote, I immediately wrote “Howling Moon”. This opened up the flood gates and I wrote the rest of the EP within the following week.
How would you describe the emotional journey that your music takes listeners on, and what do you hope they experience?
I think honesty invites honesty. I’ve been super lucky to receive kind words about my music from my community, the most common sentiment being that my songs make them feel seen. I think this is all you can ask for as an artist. It makes me feel closer to people, that we’re all experiencing similar things and it makes me extremely grateful that I’m able to share myself in this way. I hope my music brings people comfort above all and makes them feel like they have someone who understands them.
Your music is noted for its raw authenticity. How do you infuse your personal experiences into your songs?
I wish I could say their is an intentionality there but it’s truly the only way I know to write. Sometimes to my horror might I add as I’m a very private person in my day to day life. I think that’s why I’m able to be so vulnerable in my music, it helps me remove myself from it a bit. Almost like hiding in plain sight.
