INTERVIEW: FELIVAND Invites Us Into Her Rich And Poetically Magical World
Article by Darcy Goss
Photo: Maxwell Byrne
FELIVAND invites us into the rich and poetically magical world she resides in with her debut album ‘Ties’. A record turning her observations and reflections into lasting sonic memories, ‘Ties’ represents Felicity Vanderveen’s journey of self-care, curiosity, introspection and connection.
Inflected with her indulgent neo-soul energy, glossy poetic delivery and adroit lyricism the record takes listeners on a journey from start to finish. Featuring FELIVAND’s signature textured production the debut dips and dives into layered soundscapes of silky-rich bass lines, jazz-flickered chords, crisp doses of percussion and lustrous honey-licked vocals.
We caught up with Felicity to chat all about the record, her songwriting and creative space, and her favourite things about Meanjin!
Hi Felicity! How’s it goin? What’s happening in your neck of the woods today!?
I just got a smoothie and a coffee and I’m sitting in a park in the winter sun with absolutely nothing planned today!
Now there has been a lot happening in the Felivand world lately. I hear you just got back from the US, did anything exciting happen over there?
I did! It was beautiful and life changing and felt like exactly what I needed at this point in my life both personally and professionally. Lots of exciting things happened, but I’m most excited about the songs I wrote while I was in LA.
Your debut album ‘Ties’ has just been released congrats! How does it feel to have your first full body of work released into the world!
It feels so surreal but also like everything i’ve worked on for the past few years has led to its fruition really naturally. I think it’s definitely an exciting milestone for any artist! I can’t wait for it to be out in the world.
Can you talk us through the album? What does it mean to you and what do you want listeners to take away from it?
This album was my way of exploring my connections to the world, my interpersonal relationships, my mental health, my spirituality, and the foundations that hold me together. All of the songs come down to connection really. I guess I’d want listeners to take away from it a feeling or sense of self-care.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_kqWW16Z1s?wmode=opaque]
Who were some of your key influences when refining your sound and creating your debut?
I honestly just rinse the same artists over and over again. But during the time of writing Ties I was listening to a lot of Kali Uchis, Solange, Joji and Matt Corby.
Your lyricism is a huge stand-out in your music, does that part of your craft come easily? Is there a sort of therapy in writing songs?
Thank you! It’s definitely always come pretty naturally to me and I have always loved reading and writing. Fitting words and melodies around music has always been something I love to do. Absolutely there’s therapy in writing songs, it’s such a crutch for me and I’m so lucky to have that outlet for myself. It’s a way for me to reclaim power from a situation or make something beautiful and meaningful from something painful.
What does your ideal environment look like when you’re getting creative?
Comfortable, natural elements, incense, hot tea, natural light, some sort of animal in the room, quiet and either alone or with someone I trust.
And of course, whats your favourite track off the album and why!
My favourite is probably ‘Way Out’, the opening song of the album. I think because it really embodies the meaning of the album for me and sets the tone gently. (And the bass line is definitely my favourite.)
To finish things up, as fellow Meanjin residents, we’ve got some quickfire Q’s about our beloved city!
Best place to grab a coffee?
Bear Boy Espresso
Favourite venue?
Princess Theatre
Best op-shop?
Ones in Wynumm
Favourite up-and-coming Meanjin act:
yb.
One reason why we live in the best city in Aus:
I have never had to drive more than fifteen minutes to get to any of my friends houses!
Soak up the effervescent and elegant sphere of FELIVAND with her debut album ‘Ties’.
FELIVAND AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Friday, August 19 – Woolly Mammoth, Meanjin/Brisbane - TIX HERE
Saturday, August 27 – Mary’s Underground, Eora/Sydney - TIX HERE
Friday, September 2 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne - TIX HERE
