Vanessa Vakharia on how Guelph’s scene inspired her love of music
This week, GAIN Fest will bring many bands from across Canada’s provinces and territories to downtown Guelph. For some of those bands, like Goodnight, Sunrise, that trip will be a homecoming. Singer Vanessa Vakharia studied at U of G and was inspired to start a band after taking in many local shows. We asked Vakharia about what she took from her time in Guelph.
[media-credit name=”Courtesy of Goodnight, Sunrise” align=”alignnone” width=”1020″]
Will Wellington: What are the top things you learned in your time at U of G that you’ve taken with you in your music career?
Vanessa Vakharia: Okay so TBH, I was never exactly, like, the model student. I got kickass grades, but I had trouble actually going to class and managing my time properly and effectively using a calendar. For those reasons, I never thought of myself as smart — until one day I did. I think that U of G showed me that there were a million different ways to get to any given destination, to make my dreams a reality. And that’s a lesson that’s helped me so much when it comes to music. Comparing our band to [other] career trajectories is futile — we all have our roads to travel, and we all have a different pair of shoes to walk that road with. You know?
WW: What’s your favourite memory of the Guelph music scene?
VV: I swear I wouldn’t have ever started a band if I hadn’t gone to U of G. Seriously. I think that Jimmy Jazz is single-handedly responsible for my love affair with music. I remember going EVERY night — checking out new bands, being inspired by not only the music but the vibe of the actual community, something which really, really needs to be re-ignited. I feel like we’ve totally lost our love for discovering new artists, we tend to stick with what’s easy and familiar and you just can’t be inspired that way! Do you guys want to be a part of discovering the next Nirvana? You do?! Get out there and see some live music!!!
WW: Where are you guys as a band and where do you hope to go next?
VV: We’ve been a band for six years, and like any meaningful relationship, it’s hard — but super rewarding — work. Right now we’re planning our summer and fall tours and we’re super pumped, headed to the east coast and most likely the U.K.! Our end goal is to be Lady Gaga-famous. Obviously.
Goodnight, Sunrise plays Saturday, March 10 at Van Gogh’s Ear.
Photo courtesy of Goodnight, Sunrise