Track-by-Track: Vienna Vienna Breaks Down His ‘Wonderland’ EP

Both emotionally vulnerable but exuding confidence, Vienna Vienna is an artist who has been on the rise this year. That ascension arrives at another level with the recent release of his debut EP Wonderland via Pulse Records/DCD2. Vienna Vienna is an LA-based artist carving out his path as a very unique musician. He has referred to his blend of shimmering melodies and raw emotional grit as “glimmer rock.” Think of a combination of alternative pop, singer-songwriter music, and ’80s new wave. Wonderland is musically vibrant, diverse, and unconventional.

As a once-closeted queer artist, Vienna Vienna has been holding a lot in. It feels good to be able to get it all out on an EP that he completely wrote, recorded, and oversaw. It’s been a liberating experience for him, and he hopes you’ll find some value in it as well.

Vienna Vienna joins us today to provide a quick Track-by-Track rundown of his newly released EP. He provides the backstory and the perspective behind the writing of these impressive new tracks.

1. “Vienna (Everything’s Fine)”

“‘Everything’s Fine’s’ instrumental came about very quickly. It was an exercise in trust for me, just running with the first idea I had. I tracked and wrote the riff at the same time. When I started to yell out some melodies—again just trying things, running with it. The phrase ‘Vienna Vienna Vienna” came out.

“I thought it sounded pretty, and I realized very shortly after where it was coming from. A friend of mine had recently told me that not sharing my struggle was only making it worse, they read me completely. I thought they had summed up just about everything. Vienna is something you reach for, something you dream about. A place where nobody can truly see you. I realized it was something I needed to let go of.”

2. “Sex Drugs Whatever”

“Looking for pretty much anything to occupy my time and attention, I turned my head the wrong way and faced down every unhealthy coping mechanism at the same time. ‘Sex Drugs Whatever’ is a collage of notes app quips. I’ve always loved cliches, and I’ve spent much of my time trying to invent some of my own.”

3. “Wonderland”

“‘Wonderland’ started as a voice memo, a sombre little acoustic tune. I sat with it and realized I was, just a bit bored. I’ve spent a ton of time in theatre and I thought it was right to channel a dramatic spirit. Building out the vocal harmony was a patient effort. I wanted everything to feel lush and dynamic, I did my best to channel a little Freddy.”

4. “Make a Man Out Of You”

“This song was totally in service of the live show. I wanted it to feel explosive and magnetic. Focused on sticky riffs and cut-you-in-half guitar tones. I thought about strangers and lovers and how sometimes you get both at the same time.”

Vienna Vienna ‘Wonderland’ EP album artwork

5. “One More Last Time”

“People grow in rain. Luckily this might mean that we’re all wildflowers, so, at least that’s something to hold on to. Writing this song was therapeutic for me, I learned a lot about myself. At the time I was listening to mostly Radiohead. I’m obsessed with the way they utilize structure and build tension. I knew I knew this song would need a cathartic payoff.”

6. “Beauty Queen”

“I never intended to record this song, I always thought it was best in a live setting. ‘Beauty Queen’ is a plea for acceptance. It’s not recorded to a click, it was done in one take, live in an airplane hanger. We added a few things on guitar in post, but those vocals are true, live, intimate experience.”