NYC trio VHS Collection unveils the anthemic single “The Deep End,” taken from their forthcoming album Night Drive (Tiger Tone / [PIAS]). “The Deep End” is a late-night catharsis— a top-down, cruising the highway kind of track about finding your place in the world. With its sonic nod to the ’80s, “The Deep End” takes you on a nostalgic ride through analog synths, retro-modern production, and a massive chorus (fit for a stadium) to round out the powerhouse single.
On the song, the band shares:
“The Deep End was written on one of our last trips to LA before travel stopped. It was written pretty organically, one part flowing into the next. We really fell in love with the pre chorus drop as soon as we came up with it and wanted to build around it. The verse is shouty and sparse, describing someone who’s angry/confused with their way in the world, searching for meaning or something better. The pre is a groove, hopeful yet with a twinge of darkness. It moves you along. The post-chorus/outro we went full sail on, maybe too much – celebratory and complete in the range of emotions. We didn’t hold back. It’s a track about finding where you fit, and searching for comfort and companionship in trickier times.”
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
We started out playing shows at friends’ parties and at the various clubs around the Lower East Side of New York. We all had other jobs outside of music so the band was just a fun hobby and a way to throw parties at first. We were playing this game of trying to sell out all of the tiny rock clubs on the LES in order to eventually level up to the venues where “real” bands played. It was all very DIY. We were not in the music industry, didn’t have a manager or label, and didn’t know anything about production. We’d work during the day, then spend the nights in our tiny NYC apartments working on songs on our laptops or practicing. Realizing we couldn’t make our songs sound professional enough on our own, we hired a producer named Abe Seiferth in Brooklyn to help us produce our first EP. Our first single, “Lean” went to #8 on the Spotify Viral Charts, which completely shocked us. Around the same time, Charles Attal, who owns C3, randomly saw us play at Baby’s All Right and invited us to come play at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. That was the moment when we realized the band could be a real thing. We started emailing different producers who we admired and asking them to work with us. The responses was usually no at first, but we kept asking until they said yes. From there, we just kept putting out more music, touring, and building the project. We eventually built a loyal fanbase, racked up over 100 million streams, and got to a point where we could sell out shows in every major city.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about?
The Deep End came from a writing session with in LA days before lockdown. We had a good sense for the synth wave aesthetic we wanted to go for and the song came together in just a few hours. Sometimes it happens like that.
What is your favorite song you’ve written and why?
I don’t have a #1. But some of my (Conor) favorites are Sign, One, The Black, or Late Night.
How do you keep your inspiration alive?
I like to get outdoors. I surf as much as I can. Movies are a source of inspiration, as are other artists we admire. The ups and downs of our own lives provide for the most material of course. I write the best stuff when I’m consistently working on music. It’s hard for me to write if I haven’t written in a few weeks.
Who have you been binge listening to these days?
I’ve been on a pop kick lately. Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, and Kanye. Also been enjoying Lane 8, some throwback Jay Z (vol 2 … Hard Knock Life), and Washed Out. My musical tastes change monthly.
Favorite movie or TV show?
Fletch, Goodfellas, The Blues Brothers, Star Wars and many more …
Do you have any peculiar pre or post show rituals?
2 beers. Then we do a little huddle and pump up talk backstage before we go on stage, as if we were going to play a football game.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
Sleek, classic, moody designs. The branding has evolved on this album to more photography and storytelling. I keep a folder of designs I love and take photos of things I see that could work for our artwork. I then use those images as a basis for developing artwork designs with various visual artists we’ve collaborated with.
All time musical icons?
Daft Punk, Phoenix, The Killers, The Strokes. Older bands would include The Rolling Stones, The Band, and the Talking Heads. We’ve also been big Phish fans since high school.
What’s the future looking like for you?
We never know. The album is done, so that’s coming out next year. Then shows, festivals, and music videos. And then, more albums.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
It’s amazing to hear from fans who we’ve made an impact on. We’ve gotten lots of notes and have met fans who have told us that our music has been a special part of their lives in some way. People have told us that our song got them through a tough time in their lives. Some people tell us they met their spouse at one of our shows or that our songs were the soundtrack to their summer. I always associate certain albums with certain times in my life, so it’s cool to think our music has held a little place in other peoples’ lives.
What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?
I’d say write a ton and find the right people to help you develop your songs so they can be commercially viable. You have to have a ton of material, then pick the best 1% and really go in on those songs. You need a special song and you need to develop it into a special production, which takes a lot of time. Find the right people to help you make your live show as good as possible. Keep hustling, there is a lot of rejection in music so you gotta be prepared for it!
What would you change in the music and entertainment industry especially after this past year?
I’d like to see artists be able to monetize their music in a better way. On the one hand, it’s amazing that anyone with a laptop and a dream can create and release music these days. But on the other hand, with so much music coming out every day, it’s tough to earn enough to support yourself on streaming.
