I initially learned about Dutch (and NYC-based) singer-songwriter Vivienne Aerts here on Substack, though not directly at first. I picture it like kids in high school: we passed each other in the halls but didn’t have the same classes. That is, until the great artistic collaborative known as MAD Records (fronted by musician/mastermind Michael Gilbride) came calling for me.
I recently joined forces with MAD for their outstanding Good Music Monthly segment, and with that leveling up came a lot more networking with musicians in MAD’s orbit. Recently, Vivienne reached out to me through MAD’s website to gauge potential interest I might have in her upcoming LP (entitled Current). Once I got the backstory behind the record, how it came to exist, and then heard it… I was immediately ready to take a trip on my own vintage 1951 mahogany sailboat.
But I digress. Throughout this interview, let Vivienne guide you through the lifeblood of Current, constructed on the back of that sailboat (called De Vouw). This includes the journey itself, musical styles (both planned and improvised), musicians who joined in to add more layers to the recordings, and the goodies of the physical release (which we go through on camera). There are even upcoming boat parties that will bring the style of Current back to where it first began!
Enough talking from me, though, I’ll let Vivienne explain it all. I guarantee you will not only be blown away by the creativity, but will also come away with your definition of art forever changed for the better. This is one of the best interviews I’ve ever done, and I’m so pleased to bring it to you here today.
Also, be sure to keep up with Vivienne on Substack, her website, Bandcamp, Subvert, and Instagram!
