A recent single release from Heidi Vincent delivers a lush personality in the form of a brilliantly arranged and orchestrated track that blends elements of classic country and Americana with a theatrical undertone, and it comes through with so much vibrancy and color that you can't turn away.
"Criminal" is almost like a warning. I definitely love the lyrical approach to this track because it can be very descriptive in terms of showing certain sides of a personality.
This is one of the reasons I like this track so much. It's just bursting with personality and character throughout its entire course. These are the reasons you get attached to it in the first place.
The soundscape of this track is immense and features tons of layered and amazing guitar work along with vocals and certain little bridge/breakdown sections that bring out the more theatrical tonalities, and throughout it all, you're getting this blend of color and edginess that feels robust.
The guitar work is outstanding, as I mentioned before. You have different tones throughout the song in terms of those guitars, but some of them have that classic country twang, while others have a bit more warmth to them.
The theatrical part comes in with the vocals. She has a naturally theatrical vocal approach, and how she bends her notes adds a great layer to the song.
There are plenty of parts during this song that certainly let you know she's heavily influenced by real-deal, genuine country music, and that tonality and aesthetic shine through just as much as her presence as a vocalist does.
This is a song created by someone with love for her craft. When I say that, I don't just mean singing or playing an instrument; I mean writing full songs that have some layers and depth but also can provide a good time.
The energy is outstanding throughout the entire thing. It's one of the more addicting aspects of the track itself, and it has to do with how she performs.
Her singing is infectious, and again, she bends and holds notes with such a vibrant feel but still super smooth and with soul.
The song's got a great groove, but it's the chorus that sticks with you for hours or even days after the song has ended, and the only way to satiate that is to go and listen to the track once more.
You could look at that as smart songwriting, but it seems like it comes to Heidi naturally.
The whole thing has a sort of Western influence, and some of that swagger and attitude comes through, but not just in the vocals. The way that the instruments are played also have that same kind of swagger so those energies really fluctuate between each other and push the song to exactly where it needed to be.
This is a single that you end up falling hard for because of how vibrant that approach is and how it's put together, giving you that cinematic and Theatrical aesthetic that works wonders.
With the release of such a wonderfully woven single, we wanted to have a chat with Heidi Vincent about this track and more.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Thank you for taking some time with us, Heidi! I wanted to kick things off with Criminal! This single had such a great approach with twangy guitars and a heavy-handed theme! Where did this track come from?
Well, “Criminal” started with “What Love Can Do” it’s a 2-part story.
I wrote “What Love Can Do” back in 2011. A few years ago, I was binging Yellowstone (love love love), and Whiskey Myers “Stone” came on. As we do, I jumped on google and watched Cody Cannon, and Tony Kent, do an acoustic version of it on his YouTube channel. It was such a great song, and it really inspired a more concrete direction for my song. Now I’m a fan!
Songs are transmitted to me in movie format. I start to see the "movie" in my head, then lyrics pour out while I play around with guitar chords. When I was creating the song, "Sweet Home Alabama" (Reese Witherspoon & Josh Lucas) popped in my head. I never get tired of watching that movie. The intro childhood friends, Dakota Fanning & Thomas Curtis are on a beach in a lightning storm, and they kiss.
My song began there. Childhood friends make a pact by cutting a little spot in their palms with the beach rocks, spit into their bloody hands and make an everlasting promise to marry when they grow up. But, contrary to the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" where the characters heal and reunite because their true love never died, my two lovers’ relationship ends in confusion, betrayal and pain.
I’m sure we’ve all been betrayed in some degree or other.
“Criminal” came from that awful, gut-punch of being betrayed and you're left standing there, trying to make sense of it. I wanted my song to capture that rage and hurt.
But, I didn’t want to be Rachel Dracht’s SNL Debbie Downer (awesome by the way) and I didn’t want to glorify murder,,, so I created more of a darkly playful and energetic feel with upbeat irony to a musical imagination,,, it’s a murder reverie. It’s a daydream and a cinematic, cheeky take on vengeance and cathartic healing.
Buzz Slayers: It feels like there are some great approaches here! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I’ve always been drawn to artists who are storyteller’s with a strong cinematic feel to their music—people like Johnny Cash, Freddy Mercury, Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Patsy Cline, Emmylou Harris, Glen Campbell, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, Annie Lennox, there are way too many to mention,,, I grew up with a vast spread of great musical era’s in my family.
Buzz Slayers: How did it all really start for you as an artist?
Music has always been there for me. I started out writing songs as a way to process life and over time, that turned into something bigger. It was about connecting to myself and to others. In the early 90's I started writing professionally and K97.5FM in Kamloops played my first song, inspired by a personal tragedy at that time.
Buzz Slayers: Are you performing any shows right now?
I’m actually about to line up a few smaller, intimate shows. I’m about to start searching for a local guitar player. I’ll be sharing updates soon!
Buzz Slayers: Listening to some of your previous releases as well, it seems like you have an honest approach to your writing. Do you use your music to let inner thoughts out?
Absolutely. Songwriting has always been my way of working through things—whether it’s emotional pain or joy, nostalgia, or just trying to make sense of an something I am experiencing. I used to write with a little bit more vagueness, I’m trying to let people in a bit more now.
Buzz Slayers: Now that this is out, are you working on anything upcoming? What’s next for you as an artist?
Yes! I’ve got some new music in the works that I’m really excited about. “Criminal” is just the beginning of a sound I’ve been wanting to explore more deeply, so expect more songs that have that mix of grit, melody, and storytelling.
Buzz Slayers: "Criminal" was a collaboration with some great producers and players, correct? Tell us about that!
Yes! We have an incredible talent pool here on the West Coast in BC. I was blessed with the incredible skills of old friends and new on the past 3 songs. It was my first time working with producer Winston Hauschild (also a songwriter & artist). I’ve shared venues with him and have seen him play live. He was fun and so cool to work with and he really made these songs special! I will be working with him again soon! He plays a ton of instruments which is pretty sick. It was also my first time with Flavio Cirillo who is honestly incredible on drums. And, I’ve known Jerry Wong for nearly,,, well a very long time, I’m not going to age myself here haha,,,and he is the man with the tasteful, slick flavours on lead guitars. These were really the right people who elevated all three songs together in such a perfect way. I’m a lucky girl.
Buzz Slayers: What do you think is your absolute favorite aspect of being an artist and musician?
I would have to say when the ideas become emotions and then words, and the words become melodies and they become a film in my mind, and all of that, evolves into a tangible sound. When that connection happens it’s like a spark of life, a birth. I watch it grow until it’s ready to leave and inspire others. But on stage,,, I get super anxious just before I have to perform, it’s unnerving. There were a few times I was sick. But, there was no backing out, I’d committed so the only thing to do is just power through the first few songs like a racehorse. Once I’ve run a few miles, I level out. So that is kind of twistedly fun, addictive for me. It’s the dopamine rush, the adhd thrill.
Buzz Slayers: What kind of advice might you have for other up-and-coming artists out there?
Stay true to your music. There is only one you, we are all sick of the “agenda,” be yourself. Get your music out, play live, build a community around what you love.
And, don’t waste your energy on twats (not to be confused with constructive and positive advice or help), you know who they are.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
Thank you for this opportunity, thank you for the listens, the follows, the shares, the messages that I receive from people who are moved or inspired by my songs, it means a lot to me. I love music, we all do, I love creating music that connects with the right people. Thank you again, see you all soon!
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