He’s won three ARIAs, made the cover of Rolling Stone, and toured with Pink. Then there’s that mega-hit Riptide! I spoke to Vance Joy about his new album, recording through lockdown and hanging out with his gay mates.
In Our Own Sweet Time is your third album. How did writing it compare with the others?
It was a different experience compared to my first album, where I had a buffer of music I’d been carrying around for a few years. By the time I got to my second album I felt a pressure to release it as quick as possible, especially as I was touring. It still took me four years, but it felt rushed. But I also began co-writing, which was a new experience and opened a door to something really special in collaborating. In Our Own Sweet Time is a mix of writing on my own at home in Melbourne, but the co-writing wasn’t as easy (due to COVID-19 lockdowns) so I ended up getting on Zoom.
So, co-writing again?
Yeah, it was an effort from myself and Dave Bassett (Weezer). Dave is a producer on the album as well as my drummer Edwin White. So, the three of us were triangulating. I was in Barcelona, Ed in Australia and Dave in Malibu. We thought, ‘Okay, let’s go have fun and do this!’ Having a deadline also helped! These songs have been around for a while, so it’s nice to put them out into the world.
During lockdown some artists adapted their songs to the pandemic, such as The Rolling Stones’ Living In a Ghost Town and Norah Jones’ Trying to Keep It Together. Did you do similar?
I didn’t change them lyric wise. I guess the pandemic probably did affect the song writing, but I didn’t go back and retrospectively tweak any to feel more aligned. Though it definitely influenced the songs that came afterwards. It may not be noticeable, but there’s lyrics such as where I talk about ‘days going slow’. I put the line ‘in our own sweet time’ into songs pre-pandemic and it ended up being the album title, which also feels relevant in learning to accept the moment, being present and taking your time with things. I guess it’s about accepting that the world had become restricted to you and your house, and to be happy and comfortable in that space.
“I’d listen to Sia and be inspired to pick up my guitar!”
Your breakout song Riptide has had incredible success with over one billion streams. What does that song now mean to you?
For me, it was a really special moment writing that song. A few others have also had that special quality, and you step back and think, ‘How did that happen?’ Riptide opened every door, allowing me to have a career. It’s the most I’ve ever felt to … being struck by lightning. In terms of song writing, that freak moment where things really connect and you just kind of step back. It’s almost like you’re channeling a bit of something that you feel you can’t lay too much claim to!
So, your Paul McCartney ‘Yesterday’ moment?
Yes, I’ve heard McCartney talk about the way Yesterday came to him in a dream, and for me it was something similarly outside of myself.
Your international fame has led to appearances on American Idol, gigs in Las Vegas and touring with Pink and Taylor Swift. Do you have pinch yourself moments?
For sure! Especially at the start where you just get on the rocket and ride it. It’s a whirlwind of touring and great opportunities, and I feel very fortunate to have that experience. I’m not the one necessarily playing the big stadiums, but I get a good insight into how big and influential these artists can be, as well as their level of performance. Pink’s show was the greatest thing ever, and so inspiring. I loved that tour, and I’m so fond of her. At the Taylor Swift tour in 2015, I was shy and in my shell a bit with performing, but by the time I got to open for Pink in 2019 I felt much more comfortable interacting with a stadium audience. I’d ask them how they were all doing! That sort of engaging took a while to get to, but it was nice to have those bookends to see how far I’d come.
Who is Vance Joy’s music diva?
I’ve always admired Sia. I love her songs and she’s really inspiring. Watching her interviews, she always seems very genuine and is someone who does it her way. I started writing songs more seriously from 2010 onwards, and I’d listen to her, and be inspired to pick up my guitar! When I’d sing, I would feel like I was singing like her, but no one would identify that I was trying to do a ‘Sia sound’! But it definitely did make its way into my songs.
“Riptide opened every door, allowing me to have a career. It’s the most I’ve ever felt to … being struck by lightning.”
Have you met her?
I did! There’s always that whole thing about meeting someone you idolise, and how it may not go the way you hope. You even run the idea through your head a few times like a movie! But it was actually a very short interaction where I was having dinner in LA. I noticed my friend Benny sitting opposite with someone and they stopped on their way out to say g’day. The other person turned out to be Sia! She was so lovely, and it was a really nice encounter.
One band making the news a bit lately is ABBA. Have you heard their new music?
Yes, the new ABBA music is great. I love it! What masters they are. I’m amazed by their song writing, and I like hearing them talk about today’s world. I can’t claim a tier-one level in fan status, but I think a few of their older songs are also unreal. Just like with Fleetwood Mac, their songs have come back again, with the younger generation realizing just how great they are.
Have you ever had a big night out with your gay mates?
Quite a few while I’ve been living in Barcelona. In fact, I’m recovering from a weekend hanging out with them. It’s a bit of a mixed crew here with a lot of ex-pats and the gay couple, from Argentina and Holland, are the most beautiful couple. We call ourselves ‘The tribe’. We say the ‘vibe attracts the tribe’ and we look forward to doing something every weekend. Barcelona is famous for being a very gay-friendly city, with a big gay population. I live in Eixample, in a district nestled amongst the gay bars. It’s a lovely neighbourhood with great food and coffee and last weekend we had a big party with lots of dancing! In our group there are nine different nationalities, and I’m the only Australian guy. It’s like a really cool surrogate family.
“Barcelona is famous for being a very gay-friendly city. I live in Eixample nestled amongst the gay bars, and it’s a lovely neighbourhood”.
You’re about to start a world tour with a finale at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl. What do you love best about your hometown?
“I love Melbourne! It’s the best city ever and after living overseas I miss the fresh air and the space to have a garden. Melbourne’s where my closest friends and family are, and I enjoy being able to drive to the beach. But there’s a lot of cool things about places like Barcelona too.”
What quote do you live by?
I find there’s always a quote that’s relevant at the right time. The one I heard recently was from Anthony Hopkins being asked about wisdom. He said, ‘Life can be hard sometimes, but just keep going’. The other I like was from Tom Hanks who said, ‘This too shall pass.’ So, you may be bummed about something, but it will pass.
“It’s a bit of a mixed crew here with a lot of ex-pats, including a gay couple who are the most beautiful couple.”
What’s been your most memorable wardrobe malfunction?
I haven’t had one on stage, but my friend recently got married and I was the best man. I lifted him off the dancefloor to put him on my shoulders, and when I bent over to pick him up, my pants totally ripped in front of everyone. For half the day I walked around with my full thigh and underpants exposed!
Given that experience, are you briefs or boxer briefs?
I’m defiantly boxer briefs!
In Our Own Sweet Time is out now, and includes the single Missing Piece
For more visit: vancejoy.com
Follow Vance on Instagram @vancejoy
