Today I’m going to be telling you about our
Artist of the Week, Indie Alternative Rock Band Planet Vertigo!
Here’s their story in their own words. Enjoy!
VMS: “When did you start writing and performing your music. What’s your backstory and current lineup.”
Planet Vertigo: “I started writing music in 2021 and our first show was also in 2021 at “For the Culture” opening up for Desert Bloom. I’m London, and I play guitar and do vocals. Noah is our incredible self taught drummer! Originally it was just me, but I met Noah and immediately knew I needed him in the lineup. We hit it off and had a lot of the same interests, and we actually ended up becoming best friends.”
VMS: “What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.”
Planet Vertigo: “At the time, I was listening to a lot of Beach Bunny, girl in red, and Mitski which I think contributed to the sound. However, I had never really played the guitar before so I was trying to play the most simple chords as possible! But a lot of the lyric inspiration came from more indie influence. Noah is very inspired by drummers like Zach Hill and Anderson Paak, and he gets a lot of influence for his fills from them.”
VMS: “What’s your writing process and inspiration for your music.”
Planet Vertigo: “I usually just feel a lyric pop into my head and contribute to expand on it. For example, when i was writing “Bloodstains”, i was sitting in my bed after a pretty rough day and the line “there are bloodstains on my pillows and i’m climbing up the walls” appeared. I immediately began writing similar things down until i formed a song and picked chords based off of the vibe of the lyrics.
Noah is always really good at bringing the song to life with his drumming. I usually just play a snippet for him and he gets to work! It’s very cool to watch his brain form something that shapes that song.”
VMS: “I love your songs “Misery Loves Company”, “Wii Sports Baseball”, and “First Losers Get Second Place”. What is the inspiration behind these songs.”
Planet Vertigo: “Misery Loves Company” came to fruition after a pretty bad friend breakup. I had lost the guy closest to me and I didn’t take it very well, and music was the only way I knew how to express my emotions.
That was kind of how “First Losers” worked too, because I got broken up with over the phone by my first real girlfriend and had to watch her move on like I never existed. It was really hard on me but i think the song really helped heal some of the wounds.
“Wii Sports” was actually the first song I ever wrote! It’s basically a story of my childhood with some added fantasy elements to bring it all together. Struggling with sexuality and societal rejection from a young age was really tough so I wanted to sing about it.”
Listen to “Misery Loves Company ” on Spotify:
Listen to “First Losers Get Second Place ” on Spotify:
Listen to “Wii Sports Baseball” on Spotify:
VMS: “What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.”
Planet Vertigo: “Since a lot of our first songs were about mental health problems, I want our audience to know they’re never alone as cheesy as that sounds. I think our music has shown the progression of my growth which I think is really inspiring, as we have shifted from songs like “Bloodstains” to an unreleased song called VHS, standing for “Very Happy Song”. In VHS I sing about how everything has gotten better for me and I’m hopeful. I think it could inspire other people our age to keep going and keep fighting.”
VMS: “Tell me about your 2021 album “Runner Up”. What was your writing process and message of this album.”
Planet Vertigo: “I was struggling with a lot of internal battles when I was writing “Runner Up”, so it’s basically a collection of all of my darkest times in 2020. That album was my way of coping, and I’d like to think it changed my life. The recording process however was daunting because I knew absolutely nothing about music production (which is quite obvious in the sound) and I wanted every little thing to be perfect. However, I learned to let go and knew this album was for me more than anyone else.”
VMS: “Which local artist would you like to work with and why.”
Planet Vertigo: “We both love so many bands it would be hard to pick just one! Some of our favorites are Elevated Undergrounds, Pure Sport, and the Dollheads! However, we really love Arrlo’s indie sound and would love to do something with them one day.”
VMS: “What’s your overall theme or message of your music.”
Planet Vertigo: “Life and healing aren’t linear! Take your time and find out who you are, and never be afraid to be yourself. There will be ups and downs but life is truly what you make of it.”
VMS: “What does the future hold for Planet Vertigo.
Planet Vertigo: “I’m honestly not sure! We currently don’t live in the same city as I am away for college, but we will always accept show offers as long as they’re on the weekends! I still write songs and Noah still plays the drums, so there’s no reason for us to completely stop. Planet Vertigo holds a special place in both of our hearts and we will always be grateful for the opportunities it brought us.”
What I really love and gravitate towards with Planet Vertigo is how honest and real their music feels. You can tell the heartbreak and loss they have been through and they weave it into a beautiful poetry with their music. Between London’s velvet like vocals, and wonderful raw emotion she brings lyrical, she has a “wise beyond her years” vibe that I think is incredibly hard to accomplish as an artist. And Noah compliments her vibe so well with meticulously placed drums, that help bring a amazing gravity to the music. He’s very good at finding what is right for the song, while still both of them shining in the process.
I have no idea what the future will hold for Planet Vertigo but I absolutely love their musical journey of self-exploration, how to heal, and coming out stronger with music always being their therapist. Whatever happens, I feel like they have created something very magical and I will always be forever grateful for them for that.
—-VMS
For more information about Planet Vertigo please visit their Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/planetvertigo?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Planet Vertigo on Bandcamp:
https://planetvertigo.bandcamp.com
Planet Vertigo on SoundCloud:
Planet Vertigo on YouTube: