wasn't planning to release a second EP in 2020, but if COVID-19 is the lemon, don't wake me, I'm dreaming is the lemonade he came up with through it all.
In his own words, "Obviously it's been an interesting year, so I had more time at home and more time to create than I usually would because we weren't playing shows, we weren't travelling." He added, "There's only so many video games you can play, there's only so much Netflix you can watch, there's only so much red wine you can drink, you know." And so he made music that acted as markers for time as the weeks passed and kept him busy and working and creating.
The 6-track EP (five songs + a sweet intro track) includes the pre-release single Palm Springs (the way you make me feel) that we first heard back in mid-September, and in his own words, the EP will "has a lot of heart."
We caught up with the Toronto-based singer-songwriter over Zoom to talk about the new EP, songwriting, release day, and more. And we played a round of 5 Quick Questions to learn a little more about him. But before we get to all of that, hit play to give Palm Springs (the way you make me feel) a listen and watch the official music video.
Virginia to Vegas - Palm Springs (the way you make me feel)
What I've come to admire about Virginia to Vegas isn't just the danceability or the sing-along catchiness of the songs, but the song writing and lyrical content as well. I asked about that, and the preconception that pop music is about the bops and not the content.
He told me that for him, it is about the song and always has been. He admits that some of his tracks have been written to be bouncy, catchy, fun, with less emphasis on the story (he didn't want to tell me which ones), but that his focus in on the storytelling that songwriting offers. A story about his father, and one of his father's favourite artists, Delbert McClinton, who told him once in a pool hall that every good song tells a true story and that is the message that his dad always shared with him showed that this is a lifelong goal, and one he's continuing to follow.
"As I've matured as a human I've tried to tell more honest and true stories. And I think the more honest and true and personalized and poignant you can be with telling a story... the more specific you get, the more people it effects."
The songs on don't wake me up, I'm dreaming fit that description and tell those specific stories. It's pop music that tells stories and allows for connection with listeners.
We talked about a couple of songs specifically and he said, "sunny days is about moving back to Toronto and then the pandemic and not being able to see my friends." And "cry is about a breakup, and even though it's a very simple song there's a lot of real emotion." Specific stories to him, but relatable to the world too.
I also asked about release day (which was less than 12 hours away as we spoke) and what that's like or what it will look like in a pandemic without a release show on Friday night. Immediately he held up his arm to show me goosebumps from thinking about the drop. He told me how much he loves going on Twitter and Instagram and engaging with fans and talking about new music when it's released - but that it's also a high stress day thinking about how these very personal stories and creations will be received by the outside world.
When I asked about things he wanted to share with folks, he said he hopes that people can "Hop in the car, grab your favourite coffee, find your favourite backroad... hopefully it's a little bit of a rainy night, put the album on start to finish and get in the feels." and having listened to the EP a few times now, I completely agree that he has described a perfect setting for a listening session of don't wake me, I'm dreaming.
Before we wrapped up our call and the Virginia to Vegas pre-release press day continued, we played a round of 5 Quick Questions. Hit play now to check out the Zoom video and albums he's reaching for, the venue at the top of the wish list, who you should give a listen to and more.
Thanks to Derik for taking the time to chat about the new EP, playing 5 Quick Questions, and for all the rest. We look forward to doing it again, in person next time.
Hit play and check out don't wake me, I'm dreaming now - and listen from front to back, in your car in the rain or at home or wherever you are with coffee or red wine or whatever you want to reach for. Enjoy the feels.
Virginia to Vegas, don't wake me, I'm dreaming Tracklist