Indie Midlands: Can you tell us a bit about yourself!
Vaughty: My name is Vaughn George. I am a Youtuber and an artist development coach. I am also an artist and I release music under my Vaughty alias.
Indie Midlands: How did you reference the source ‘1984’?
Vaughty: I read the book by George Orwell many years ago and loved it. I also watched the move and have recently refreshed my memory by listening to it on an audiobook.
Indie Midlands: What’s the context and the message the track is trying to portray?
Vaughty: The 5 track EP is based on the George Orwell Classic. The songs make direct reference to the source material whilst at the same time addressing the comparison with Orwell’s fiction with the current state of our modern world.
Indie Midlands: What similarities of the dystopia do you see in real life today?
Vaughty: It saddens me to see that Orwell’s work, although a work of fiction, seems to be manifesting. As the lyric on my feature track “1984” says, “The writing is on the wall.” Suddenly this work of fiction is not looking so far-fetched after all. It seems we are walking into this nightmare scenario. The resounding message behind this body of work is, “Don’t let it happen, It’s up to us…”
Indie Midlands: Can you outline your main opinion on the music industry?
Vaughty: Hmmm. Pros and cons. I guess the upside being that it is now easier than ever to get your music out without the need for a label. I guess this means A LOT more music is out there and the markets are saturated. There is still a market for good music though.
Indie Midlands: What advice would you give to emerging artists?
Vaughty: Get another career!! I usually start off by saying that and then smile. It gets people’s attention. It is probably one of the hardest industries on earth. The best advice I can give is to actually learn how to play a real instrument as opposed to being a “button pusher” who is purely reliant on technology. Besides that, start making the music that YOU want to hear and what you want to make. Do not do it for fame or for attention.
Indie Midlands: What was a fundamental lesson you’ve learnt through collaborating with other musicians?
Vaughty: It is good to collaborate. It helps you grow and it can take you and your creativity to places you could have never gone alone.
Indie Midlands: What would be your top tip for anyone planning a release?
Vaughty: Promo Promo Promo!! Too many artists spend months in a studio and then suddenly release without any consideration as to who their fans are. People buy people, they do not buy products. Forming relationships with your fans is vital.
Indie Midlands: Where do you hope to be at the end of 2023?
Vaughty: RULER OF THE WORLD!! (hahaha Laughs like Doctor Evil from Austin Powers) But seriously, I would really like to see my Vaughty fanbase grow. I know my music is very niche and I don’t “play to the gallery”, I do know that there is a bigger market for my sound and I am hoping to tap into it in a big way.
Indie Midlands: Any music recommendations of musicians in your local area?
Vaughty: Well I do live in London so there are a lot of musos here. I would like to make a shout-out though to a good friend and mentor of mine, Gareth Jones. He is not only a legendary record producer (just look him up online) but he is also producing amazing modular synth music under his “Electrogenetic” alias.