Published: September 19, 2010 2:02 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight September 2010 Edition
Victoria Aitken
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Victoria Aitken
Based out of both New York and London socialite songstress dance diva Victoria Aitken is heating up the dance charts with her electrifying music. More recently, her team up with Scumfrog, a New York-based D.J, on her single “Sunshine” is fast climbing up the British dance charts. In this spotlight, Aitken reveals why she enjoys making music and what are her plans for the future. Enjoy!
Isaac: HI Victoria! You are living, working, and performing in United Kingdom mainly. Describe the music scene in your location and what does this mean to you as an artist/band.
Victoria: Well, the UK I think is one of the hardest places to get gigs, as there's so many good bands out there- I often have more success in Europe - but there are great clubs- and am on the way to Malta and I am playing at an electronic music festival in Berlin on the 18th of October).
Isaac: I cannot wait.
Isaac: But, I read that you are based out of New York and London. Elaborate a little on the difference in the music scene between these two areas and which area do you prefer working and performing at the most?
Victoria: In American, doors are open; you can get meetings - in London- it’s very difficult.
Isaac: WOW, you have been quite busy these days including your team up with the Scumfrog, as you just mentioned. He is a New York-based D.J., and he is featured on your recent single “"Sunshine"”. I should also add that this single is currently No. 7 on the British dance charts. How did this collaboration come about and what did you enjoy the most about working with Scumfrog?
Victoria: I wrote to him on MySpace and asked if he might be interested in doing a remix- he's very professional, and soo talented to work with- he's also very funny.
Isaac: You have listed a ton of iconic music giants as your musical influences. Of these influences, who would you love to work with in a collaboration effort in the near future?
Victoria: I would love to work with Ulf Ekberg from ace of base. I think they are really talented.
Isaac: What’s the biggest challenge of pursuing a career in music?
Victoria: If you’re not on a major label, it’s hard to squeeze through- I somehow managed but it’s very hard as often people pay no attention esp. Radio stations. If it doesn't say Sony or something on it- they just say "we just play big mainstream acts"; on the main stream radio stations.
Isaac: What do you like about performing in an intimate setting versus a huge setting and vice versa?
Victoria: It’s all a lot of fun! Big settings can be a bit intimidating.
Isaac: What is the process you take to write? How do you go from a spark to a completed finished song?
Victoria: I always keep lots of sparks of ideas and then I'll have another idea so I will add it to the song, and it comes together. I've also been really lucky with my co-writers Jim Tucker, Richard Robson, etc.
Isaac: Interestingly enough your dad wasn’t a big fan of your last video, “I’ll Be Your Bitch”. What were the main problems he had with the video and song?
Victoria: There's no video for this song actually....
Isaac: What type of feedbacks have you enjoyed receiving the most back from your fans that you can recall?
Victoria: Not really sure how to answer this- am happy people like my music.
Isaac: You are considered a socialite songstress. What does it take to become a socialite songstress and what lessons could you give to others who want to become a socialite songstress?
Victoria: No idea (LOL) --- that's more a press invention as I am seen - just be yourself and see what happens.
Isaac: When did you decide you wanted to take the DIY (Do It Yourself) route?
Victoria: I just thought well these labels if you send them CDs...Do they ever open demos? And thought it would all be a waste of postage. So I never thought of any other way from the beginning.
Isaac: What are the pros and cons of doing everything yourself vs. working with others in the music industry?
Victoria: Well, I have been offered a lot of deals, but most of them offer to take 50 percent - and often I ask- what are they going to do for the 50 percent and sometimes they say "we can sell your music online via our website" so- I'm like ummm.... I can sell my music online too- the whole system has changed. So unless a label has a bit marketing and promotional outreach then I wouldn't really consider "we can sell you online" deals.
And a lot of the time some labels want to mix in creatively- and try and tell you things- I had somebody on the phone the other day making all these huge plans for me - but if the vibe and the energy are right, great; but if they want xyz and I am signed with them perhaps I couldn't do my own thing anymore. My friend Polly Countey just wrote a book about this subject; it just came out- The Fame Factor.
But for the big labels am sure they have flexible situations and treat their artists nicely.
Isaac: What is the most difficult part about juggling family life, work, and a music career for you as a performer/artist/band?
Victoria: Well, you have to be a bit of an actress - multi-task and pretend you’re not multi-tasking....... But it’s a good question, about work- because now due to piracy and people giving away tracks for free on those pirate sites (my songs sadly are on those torrent sites) so I don't get paid a penny. Those sites kill artists- so I really hope the laws change - so that more artists can actually have a career as a musician and not have to work at the same time, due to those free sites- giving away musicians hard work.
