VV Brown
Photo: MTV News
VV Brown has started her career by defying expectations. As a musician, the Brit has toured the world in support of her debut album, which she not only sang on, but also played instruments, produced and wrote. In addition to her music career, the Northampton native has dabbled in everything from modeling to writing comic books. Summarizing her personality, Brown said: "I'm a creative person."
Her eclectic musical background shows how she generated her sound. As a child, she was classically trained as a pianist and learned to sing in her church choir. Later, Brown began playing in bands, and at age 15, she toured Japan with a punk group. A few years ago, she was signed by the same team that brought Amy Winehouse to Island Records.
Although she's been described as everything from retro to indie to doo-wop, Brown said she doesn't want to be boxed in to any particular label and prefers the broader term "alternative pop."
"Whatever I do, there will always be an alternative edge," Brown explained.
Last year, the singer released her debut album, Travelling Like the Light, in the U.K. and is now promoting the U.S. release of the album. The effervescent LP bounces around from '50s swing ("L.O.V.E.") to orchestral-sounding rock anthems ("Back in Time"). One of the album's most popular singles, "Shark in the Water," has been featured on TV shows like "The City" and "Ugly Betty," but fans may have taken notice of her latest video for the song, which features the cast of the newest season of the hit teen show "Degrassi: The Next Generation."
Like many of the songs on Travelling Like the Light, "Shark in the Water" creates the juxtaposition of an upbeat melody providing the canvas for melancholic lyrics: "It's about a relationship when you're anxious about something and something's not quite right. A sense of paranoia," Brown said.
Brown has toured consistently this year, providing support for a diverse group of acts. Earlier this year, she toured the States with Swedish electronic-infused indie outfit Little Dragon then went on to support Pink on the U.K. leg of her Carnival tour. Currently, the singer is accompanying Maroon 5 on their trek to stadiums across the U.S. In her energetic live act, which features a full live band and spectacular hats and masks, Brown sometimes peppers in an unexpected cover, such as Drake's "Best I Ever Had" or Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody."
"To me, the live show is almost the most important component within my career," Brown said, "because it's the opportunity to actually do what this whole thing is about — and that's actually play live music."
After wrapping up her dates with Maroon 5, Brown will embark on her own headlining tour this fall in France.
What do you think about VV Brown? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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