During headlining performances at Electric Zoo this past weekend, several headliners would bring out special guests during their sets. Closing out day two of Electric Zoo would be Tiesto on main stage. Arguably one of the best sets of the weekend, Tiesto dropped all of his classics as well as some unexpected trance throwbacks at the end of his set. Playing Adiago For Strings and hitting the crowd with some old Tiesto trance was undoubtedly the highlight of his set. During his set, Tiesto brought out Australian singer Vassy to provide vocals on their hit collaboration “Secrets”.
She would first debut the collaboration alongside Tiesto at Ultra and did the same at Tomorrowland in Belgium. The hit track has been featured in campaigns by Victoria’s Secret, Frozen, Greys Anatomy, and Target. In addition to that, Vassy would also perform her newest single with Tiesto “Nothing To Lose”. The single was written by Vassy herself and co produced by friend and mentor, Tiesto. Vassy sang to a crowd of well over 20,000 and left Ezoo craving more as her magnificent voice echoed across Randall’s Island.
After her performance, Vassy sat down with RaverRafting to discuss her work with Tiesto, solo career, and thoughts of DJing. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Vassy below!
The first track you sang with Tiesto, is that your new record with him?
Vassy: Yes, that’s my new record with him, it’s called “Nothing To Lose”. It came out last week and already has a million streams. It’s my record produced by him, but we did it together. He really wanted me to do something on my own and encouraged me. He wants me to DJ and everything too so he’s always pushing me.
That was actually my next question, do you ever think about possibly taking up DJing?
Vassy: I don’t think I would. I know if I did it my career would definitely take off just because of the opportunities. But I really want to keep true to the artistry. The fact that I write the songs, the fact that I sing them and that I’m an artist. Not to say that DJs aren’t artists, but it’s different. I want to keep that authentic, once you cross over you’ve done it. Everyone is doing it right now and I don’t think I want to. I wouldn’t really have time for it anyway. If I were to start DJing I would have no room for anything else.
How’s it been working with Tiesto?
Vassy: Awesome! I call him Big Brother T. He’s a cool guy, just a lot of fun, basically my big brother. He’s sort of become a mentor towards me.
Are there any other producers or DJs you really want to work with?
Vassy: Not yet, but I’ve been asked to work with a lot of DJs. I have to be careful because I don’t want to be on everyone’s records. It’s not good for me and it’s not good for them. Secrets went double platinum, back to back and it won awards everywhere. Now all the DJs reach out and want to work together. But if you end up doing too many collaborations, you take away from yourself as an artist, but you also do damage to everyone else. I try to protect myself and everyone else as well.
Doesn’t the publicity for both artists make it a win win situation when producing tracks?
Vassy: I think so, but I also don’t think so. I think too much is overkill because then you become annoying and it can really work against the record. I’m all about the record and the song doing well. If the song does well it’s going to build both producers, artists, DJs, everyone benefits. If you over saturate people are going to tune out.
What other shows have you done in the US?
Vassy: I’ve been to Vegas loads of times, and performed at different locations all across the nation. But I did shows festivals like EDC, Ultra, Tomorrowland and local places. I like doing sporadic shows. I’m currently working on my album as well as some new collaborations with Nervo. Also, Krewella and I are talking about working together as well. There’s a lot of stuff I can’t reveal yet, we just need to finish the songs. I could say stuff, but if it doesn’t end up coming out then it’s just a huge disappointment.
Did you write all the vocals for your tracks with Tiesto?
Vassy: Yeah, so Secrets I wrote pretty much, but I did have a co writer that I worked with. The idea actually came from something else, but then we decided to come up with a new concept. I took the new concept into the studio and KSHMR and I sort of messed around with it. Lyrics and productions are KSHMR’s thing so it sort of landed how it landed. But the track “Bad”, I wrote myself. I did most of the writing, but I like to work with certain songwriters when I have an idea and then we flesh it out.
How was it working with KSMR on “Secrets”?
Vassy: He’s cool, he’s very talented. He has particular personality and has his own way of doing stuff, but a great guy.
You mentioned a new album earlier, is there name for it yet?
Vassy: I haven’t come up with a name yet to be honest. It’s almost finished, I have a few more to do, but I’m waiting for the right time to put it out. I’m talking to a few labels, but there’s no rush to release it right now. My focus right now is my record with Tiesto that’s had a million streams, it’s also been added on five of the biggest dance stations in the US. So I really want to focus on that, it’s going to grow slowly but it’s going to build. Then hopefully we can break that record and cross it over, I mean my goal is to crossover to pop radio.
Vassy: Almost like a Calvin Harris type thing, I love Calvin and what he does. I’m a pop writer so that’s what I do, but I love pop and dance and I think it’s such a great platform on the radio right now. It’s just about building a song from the grassroots and once it gets really good traction people start paying attention and it will cross over. Pop radio in America is very difficult, it takes a few things before you can really breakout.
Connect with Vassy:
https://www.facebook.com/VASSY
https://twitter.com/VASSY
https://www.instagram.com/vassy
https://soundcloud.com/vassy
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