Track By Track: Vona Vella- 'Go Outside Forever'
Within the space of a year, Vona Vella excelled from local pub open-mic nights to performing in front of crowds of over two and a half thousand, joining The Libertines on their UK tour.
A year and a half later, Vona Vella are releasing their debut EP - a sensation of six indie gems, that encapsulate the duo’s artistry for sunny soundscapes with poetic lyricism. With versatile expertise for DIY musicianship, all of the tracks were co-written by the duo: Dan playing the guitar and piano with Izzy on guitar and flute.
They took a moment to talk to us about the EP - track by track.
Driving To La
A lighthearted sunny song with a simple chord progression. We like to think ‘DTLA’ is very listenable and mood enhancing. The song was initially tongue in cheek, Dan set himself a challenge to write the ultra pop song. It grew on us both, and Strap Originals loved it. Driving to LA is about the idea of being with someone, fully aware they’re messing you around, ignoring it as you want to live in the moment and enjoy it whilst it lasts. When we first sent the demo to the label the song didn’t have a middle 8, so when it came to recording in the studio we decided that it would be really cool if it was mainly Izzy singing. This makes it more of a conversation and is a great escape from the main sections.
Threading Needles
Threading needles was written about 2 years ago. Izzy was working in a Sweet shop, and would write lyrics when the shop was quiet. When she came home she showed me the lyrics and I was blown away. I immediately picked up a guitar and started playing the chords to the song - it worked perfectly. It was written in under 10 mins, but is one of our favorites from the EP.
Lyrically, the song is about the fear of not being able to tell someone how they have affected you negatively. From the line ‘Threading needles when we talk about it’, it implies the struggle relationships can have when talking about problems.
Sun
This song was the first song we had written together. We were in the garden on a beautiful day, reunited from lockdown, and it seemed to pour out of us.
In today’s society you are expected to always be productive and surrounded by a busy working environment, but really you can be just content by living a simple life hence the line ‘Now I don’t like the way the city speaks’. Izzy wrote the lyrics and they were about her sister who was stuck in London due to Covid and had been living in London for several years but was ready for a more simple life by the beach.
Rainy Days
Dan song poured out of Dan in under an hour. We wanted to record it completely live and showcase it in its rawest form. The final recording is a live take at The Albion Rooms.
The song isn’t about anyone in particular, but about trying to help someone who is lost in life. You’re doing all you can to make them happy, but whatever you do, nothing helps. The only way they will overcome this is alone. Knowing you’ve done all you can, but nothing else you can do.
Go Outside Forever
When writing ‘Go Outside Forever’ we were influenced by ‘Black Cloud’ by Playwright (production wise). We want to give a massive shout out to Mike Moore; Mike produced all the songs on the EP, but this song in particular was transformed by his production and directing skills. He brought it to life.
Lyricially, the song is about the ‘hustle culture’ and our obsession with being ‘productive’. Some people are desperate to achieve, aspire to have loads of money, and a perfect luxury life (which is perfectly fine). But some people are simply content with the small things, and happy to just get by as they are. I think it’s important to make those people feel okay about that.
Fool In Love With Me
A simple love song about an indecisive romantic. It’s about falling for someone, but
perhaps not admitting it. In this case, it results in mean behavior, giving them a taste of their own medicine.
I (Izzy) didn't stumble upon Bossa Nova until I was about 17, which was when I wrote the song. I was feeling inspired by songs like Bebés by La La and Sunny Road by Emilíana Torrini. I wouldn’t say this song is Bossa Nova, but it’s inspired by it. Initially it wasn’t a duet, but when Dan joined with his piano and singing, it came together perfectly. Kind of turned it into a conversation piece.
