Exclusive Interview: Vanitas talk new music, Bloodstock and Cinematic DJent! (Part #1)

Our love of Midlands female fronted genre coining cinematic DJent pioneers Vanitas has been no secret; their self titled debut EP the mystical infusion of the inspirations of JRPG soundscapes with the signature guitar style alongside the beauty and ache of introspective lyrics from the soaring, majestic voice of Jade Marissa Grundy. Formed from the ashes of Midlands based bands Verb The Noun and Aramantus they have come a long way since and with new single “Eventum” the promise of a sophomore EP on the horizon is a tantalising prospect. So without further much ado about nothing, here is the first of two exclusive full band interviews with them about what their future holds…

It’s been a year since you announced yourselves on an unsuspecting World with your debut self titled EP. How do you feel that was received looking back on it now? Is there anything that you would change in hindsight?

Jade: “I honestly can’t believe it’s been a year already! Looking back, I’m still really proud of what we achieved in that time. There’s definitely a sense of pride in knowing as an unsigned, younger band that we pulled that off ourselves. In hindsight though I think I definitely would have spread our EP timeline out a bit more as I definitely suffered from some burnout post-release. However, with each release I feel as though we progress and grow further as a band and it’s all a learning curve really, I think having that experience really set us up for success with the release of Eventum- so scrap that I guess I wouldn’t change anything!”

Mitch: “Personally, I am always absolutely shocked by the response the EP got. Our first EP had an instrumental almost entirely written by me minus a few drum parts, so I felt incredibly personal about the work, it was a real labor of love even before Vanitas was properly formed – knowing people love these songs will always be an honor to me. The verse riff of Carry On in particular is a highlight, as it’s one of the first riffs I ever remember writing! The album was self produced, with myself taking on the role of mixing and mastering – in hindsight, I wish I’d given myself some more time to work on the production, I was finishing a university degree at the time, so I had a lot on my plate and feel it somewhat affected some aspects of the songs!”

Jackson: “When the band was first formed I was just a fan, and always thought it was a really amazing thing that an unsigned, independent band could do this completely on their own. I loved the E.P when it came out and love it even more now I get to actually play the tracks live”

Elijah: “Looking back I think we really did achieve a lot with the release of our EP, we pushed and promoted it in the right places and it was received really well! Our community ended up loving it and for that I’m very grateful!”

Jon: “I personally am still overwhelmed by the positivity and support in regards to our EP and especially our EP launch. Looking back I feel proud of all that we have accomplished as a band”

It’s been a year in which you’ve also played a wealth of shows and taken the EP to the masses, what have been your favourite moments from that journey?

Jade: “Our EP release show has always been a highlight for me, especially since we booked and promoted the show ourselves. I’ll never forget the moment in “Carry On” in which everybody got their phone torches out and there was just a beautiful sea of lights and people singing with me in the crowd. In more recent times though I have really enjoyed our Metal 2 the Masses shows, it’s so nice to see the whole Birmingham metal scene come together for the shows”

Mitch: “Personally, I’d have to echo Jade’s memory – for me, it was such a magical moment looking up during the solo of Carry On and seeing so many torches. Those kinds of moments are always the most fulfilling from a writer’s standpoint, witnessing everyone interact in this way. We’ve all seen absolutely iconic shots from artists with crowds full of phone torches and lighters, so to have our first experience of that at our EP show will always be a memory I’ll look upon fondly due to the emotions I felt at that moment, especially since now we have our very own photo of a moment like that!”

Jackson: “I really enjoyed the E.P launch show, being at the very front watching, but my favourite memories with the band have to be my first show with them supporting Destrage at Dead Wax Digbeth and the moment we found out we were getting through to the Metal 2 The Masses Final, genuinely one of the best moments of my life”

Elijah: “As cheesy as it sounds I’ve just loved playing shows with my bandmates this past year, every gig is a new experience and we just have fun with it! The EP show was especially unique in the way that everyone that has followed us that past month since release came together to show their support”

Jon: “My favorite moment honestly has to be every single gig because I truly do enjoy being on stage and performing music to people. But to be specific it has to be our gig supporting Control The Storm in Leicester, because of how intimate it all felt with the small stage and the wonderful people at the gig”

You’re into the grand final of Metal 2 The Masses for an opportunity to play the New Blood stage at Bloodstock this summer. What would reaching the festival mean to you at this point in your career?

Jade: “I mean firstly I’d be shitting myself, and be super excited all rolled into one. I feel privileged to have played Bloodstock once before, but as a backing vocalist for my buddies in Fury in 2021, and having that experience was amazing as it is but being able to do that with my own band and my own music and lyrics that mean so much to me would be a game-changer. Bloodstock is always a bit of a mates fest and whether we win M2TM this year or not playing Bloodstock with Vanitas is definitely one of those bucket-list moments for me”

Mitch: “Playing the songs I dreamt up and wrote in my bedroom at such a prestigious place like Bloodstock would be mind blowing. It’s an absolute dream, as I’ve always held Bloodstock Open Air as the best big metal festival in the UK due to the absolute God tier line-ups it has. To be playing at all at the same time as artists I adore would be incredible”

Jackson: “Playing at Bloodstock would be the most perfect thing, being at a festival with some of my best mates playing music we love to play. Would be very scary though, I would be absolutely bricking it until after we’ve finished the first 2 songs!”

Elijah: “I can safely say I think it would mean everything to all of us in the band! I’m definitely in agreement with Jade in terms of shitting myself but also super excited!”

Jon: “Well playing on a stage at Bloodstock is both a life goal and a career goal for me so this would honestly mean the world to me”

Your debut self-titled EP created a new sub-genre in Cinematic DJent, combining influences from JRPG soundtracks and deep emotions to build the sound, so with the new material have you tried to evolve that? How would you say it compares?

Jade: “I think we’ve definitely settled into our sound a lot more with our newer songs. With the self-titled EP it was a first ‘go’ at the new sound so we didn’t know what the reaction would be or how it would land with audiences. Now that we know it’s well-received, I do feel as though we’re just doubling-down on the ‘cinematic djent’ sound even more!”

Mitch: “With the newer material we’re working on currently, we’ve tried to do double-down on the “cinematic” element of our sound. Why do guitarists always have to be at the forefront? I think we have relaxed more into our sound now and we’re balancing the cinematic and djent aspects with much more flow now”

Jackson: “The new songs are just the evolution of the first E.P; we’ve found our own unique sound and are continuing to develop it constantly”

Elijah: “I’d say we’ve definitely got more comfortable with the genre since forming and releasing the EP, we’re always coming up with new ideas on how we can evolve and to make our musical outlook sound even bigger than before. I’m looking forward to seeing/hearing what the future holds”

Jon: “I would say our new material is both a continuation and evolution of the Vanitas sound as a band”

You can find all things Vanitas over at bandcamp… stay tuned for the second half of this interview this time next week!