Based right here in Los Angeles, California is the talented artist, producer, and creative writer Verskotzi. Known for his diverse electro-pop sound, Verskotzi has drawn comparisons to James Blake, Bon Iver, Cherub, and Justice for his falsetto vocal styling, electro-pop melodies, and vast use of synthesizers and electronic beats. For the last two years, Verskotzi has been heavily focusing on his solo career and released his debut album “No. 90” on January 2019. The songs were solely written, recorded, and mixed by Joey in his bedroom studio while living back in Minneapolis except for a few outside collaborators. He is now actively producing and writing with artists in Los Angeles and all over the globe. Stay on the lookout for more!
Verskotzi’s latest track “New Vibe” is a perfect end of summer song with a dance groove and chilled out melodies. It is a co-release with LA-based rapper/writer, ill Nicky, of the ill Music Group - an independent label and management team. Nicky’s music collective and lifestyle brand called "The I Love Life Movement" is an indie label that was formed in San Diego and has now expanded to Los Angeles.
“New Vibe” brings together a notably experimental backdrop with an R&B flow that’s loaded with personality. The vocal tone and the laid-back approach to writing and the sense of adventure works as one to create an easy-going anthem with an entrancing yet fairly mellow rhythm. There are flickers of color in the soundscape, certain riffs, and samples that help give the track a definite level of identity. The same goes for the vocal, though the lyrics seem a little more carefree and well-catered to contemporary verses and topics, the voice itself has enough to make it recognizable. That ability to cross the border between the R&B/Soul and Dance genre gives the track a lot of potentials. A collected sense of confidence meets with upbeat energy and drive, and that hits well thanks to creativity and professionalism from Verskotzi and ill Nicky.
Check out “New Vibe” here and keep scrolling for more with Verskotzi!
Welcome to BuzzMusic! What can you tell us about “New Vibe”? How did it come to be?
ill Nicky: New Vibe is one of those cool, organic songs that came together quickly, was sorta forgotten about, and then resurfaced, lol. Verskotzi and myself had attended a writing camp put on by my pub company, Milk & Honey, alongside one of our fellow songwriter friends, Obvi. On the first day of the writing camp, the three of us sat in a small bedroom with a basic setup. Verskotzi started the production with nothing but the sound of running water. Obvi, Joey, and I freestyled one take each and we had the whole song, melodies and lyrics complete, within about 30 minutes. After a few months, Verskotzi came across the song again and we both agreed it was a perfect song for the end of this summer season. VERSKOTZI: Ha! The water sample..we called it the "water beat" at the camp, lol. I don't know what made me want to do that but I'm glad I did. A simple chord progression with ambient soundscapes and a groove.. we were off the races. The whole thing came together so quickly and naturally. And yeah, a month or so after the camp I pulled the session up at my place in LA and remembered how dope the idea was and knew we had to finish it.
What does it mean to you personally?
ill Nicky: To me, the song is free flowing and not overthought. One of my biggest battles has been focusing on how I'm making money, and it's caused me to be very frustrated, especially because I live on Fairfax and Melrose, where wealthy rappers wander past my house constantly, flashing a new belt buckle or an expensive car. The lyric "I need duffel bags filled up that don't zip" to me is a manifestation of wanting so much money that our bags can't close. So my new vibe, is moving on from an old, broke mindset, proving myself wrong, and reaping the rewards.
VERSKOTZI: Hear, hear! I try my best to run with a 'cup runneth over' mindset. Always. I also love the line, "You already know that I got you." To me, that means providing for my family and they never need to worry about a single thing in life ever again.
What do you hope to bring to the music world with your own releases over the coming months and years?
ill Nicky: I hope to bring a refreshing sound to the music world. I'm constantly challenging myself to try new things in the studio, and I'm very excited with where my sound has continued to go. My goal is to be the recording artist that is not defined by genre. I want to put out unpredictable content and I want my content to inspire those who need strength and empowerment. I just want to continue to put out consistent releases that I love and represent. As an indie label owner, my dream is to create a reputable boutique label that empowers and educates the artist to own their music rights and to make business decisions that will help create long, impactful careers.
VERSKOTZI: So far this year I've released an album, an EP, and two singles. All varying in style pretty drastically, yet tied together by my voice and production. As a producer/artist, I want to just keep pushing the envelope and seeing how many different spaces I can fit in without forcing anything. I just want to always be putting stuff out that feels new and exciting to me - if I ever get bored with something or feel like I'm in a wrong lane, I know my fans will hear it right away. Whenever a new idea challenges me and makes me uncomfortable, I know I’m onto something.
How do you get started when crafting a new track?
ill Nicky: For me, crafting a new track is always different. However, my favorite way to create is to start with free-styling melodies on the microphone. I need to hear myself. I prefer to have a nice pre-mix on my vocals coming thru my headphones nice and full while I toy with the most natural melodies. Generally, lyric ideas are born from that. This way, I am not trying to dictate where the songs go, but allowing the song to dictate where I go. It's much easier to finish a song that way, and I don't like spending too much time on one thing, unless it's later in the creating process. If the song doesn't come somewhat quickly, I must move on. As far as content, I always try to speak from someones perspective, not just my own. I also really love when I'm able to find a subject that I can write in 2 ways. For example, a song of mine I wrote about immigration is seemingly about a woman who left me and put up walls in our relationship. I like making songs that have double meanings, so it's open to interpretation.
VERSKOTZI: I definitely start by building the instrumental, at least in the last few years that's been my move. I love trying to come up with a general concept, for the lyrics, and then build a world of sounds that I think that theme would fall into nicely. Melody is huge for me so whether I'm singing gibberish into the mic over the chords or playing lines on guitar, synth, whatever... it all falls into place at one point or another. Or it doesn't! Again, not forcing anything has been a big lesson learned over the years. Why beat yourself up over a tired idea when you know you're gonna have a thousand more at any given moment?
There’s a smooth R&B vibe to the new single, alongside a contemporary electro-pop sound. Who or what would you say has influenced your approach to music the most over time?
ill Nicky: Well the production side of New Vibe is completely owed to Verskotzi. He is so extremely visual as a producer, which is so rare. In my opinion, the instrumental of this song would do very well on it's own, it has it's own identity. Verskotzi's brilliant production skills inspired me to let the beat breathe as much as possible. Usually, a beat like that, I would have rapped and it would have been filled with lyrics. But, with the help of Verskotzi and Obvi, I felt confident to be a bit more vulnerable and sing the melodies that came most natural. I'm inspired by guys like Travis Scott, T Pain, Akon, Post Malone, Swae Lee etc.. so I think the combination of everything I love is starting to guide me into exciting new lanes, new vibes.
VERSKOTZI: Thanks, Nick. :) Again, everything about this track was just a "let it ride" mentality. As soon as I started overthinking something, I stopped and opened another session. The R&B groove is definitely an influence I have from coming up in the Minneapolis scene (my hometown). The 'Prince sound' finds it way into a lot of my work. The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis sound never gets old to me and I'm always tipping my hat their way when it comes to my influences.
Do you have any plans to collaborate with other artists this year?
ill Nicky: I definitely have plans to collaborate with other artists. I'm currently writing for a few other recording artists at major labels and I'm very excited to have those songs finally be released to the public. I plan on continuing to grow my catalog and releasing consistently throughout the year :)
VERSKOTZI: For sure. I recently signed a publishing deal with Angry Mob Music in LA and they've been setting me up with amazing sessions / writers / artists. There's so much in the works right now, it's really exciting. Also, our friend Obvi that helped write this song.. he and I have a track together that we'll be releasing soon too! Collaboration makes the world go round.
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