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We are generally spoiled by being in the position of getting to listen to peoples music, and we feel especially spoiled when a raw, visceral talent like VC Pines fall into our inbox. Falling into a category of genre colliding, it is very hard to surmise the sound VC Pines has, but it isn’t to describe its effect: poignant, melodic & mysterious, distinctly unobvious. Not wanting to gift a bad description to this emerging South London talent, we sent some letters for him query up for us, on stretching, the EP and more: 

OnesToWatch: Who is VC Pines?  

VC Pines: An artist from South London.

What is ‘Viole(n)t Colour’ all about?

I spent most of last year recovering from a mental crash-landing after dropping the MRI album without a manager, without a label, running two tours and burning out. A load of other sh*t happened when I came back and I just felt like I’d lost my creative outlet, closest relationships and reason for being here. It took a minute but I got writing again and found a way to continue releasing music. This EP is a mix of songs I’ve been holding on to for a while, and songs that helped me get through the last 6-12 months. To me, Viole(n)t Colour feels small, with rough edges, like a pinecone in your pocket, though it has moments of huge self realisation, and potential to grow into the biggest pine in the forest.

We fell hard for your collusive, counter intuitive sound, what inspired that?  

I’ve always loved juxtapositions and pairing things that don’t go together, whether it’s what I’m wearing or the music I’m making. I find comfortability in the uncomfortable. I’ve been really inspired by visuals when making music recently, imagery of nostalgic technology immersed in natural environments has been the main source. it’s hard to explain but there ya go.

How would you describe your style? 

Alternative?

Can we expect more of this style in the future? Or are you ever evolving? 

The more I write from the heart, and put myself into my music the truer it is and the more in love with it I am. The latest project has definitely been more ME than anything I’ve done previously so who knows, maybe this is it, maybe there’s an evolution down the line, I won’t really know until it happens.

Any collaborations or features? Who produced the EP? 

It was great working with Josie Man on Made 2 Luv. Louis Isaacs produced that one along with Need 2 Breathe and Something In The Way. I worked with Daniel Hamylton-Nuamah on Chasing The Dragon which was such a learning curve for me, and I produced BREAK myself. Definitely up for collaborating with more artists.

Besides this excellent EP what else should we be on the lookout for? 

More shows this summer to be announced soon, and more music to come.

What's inspiring you right now outside of music? 

Found imagery, contrasting fashion, 90s tv.

Take us to your most zen recommendation or place… Where or what is it? 

I love stretching you know. I’ve done karate and similar sports for 25 years, and stretching seems to be the only thing I can do that stops me thinking about anything else. So some mornings if I wake up with a loud mind, STRETCH.

Musically who is new but making all the right moves? Who are your current OnesToWatch? 

Bricknasty, Saya Grey, Kellan Christopher Cragg