Sara Scoggs' Blog

I have been a Kenny Vasoli fan ever since I heard The Starting Line's 2001 EP With Hopes Of Staring Over. Kenny had a "way with words" that spoke to my 15-year-old heart and ever since then I have been an admirer. These days Kenny has a new project called Vacationer that I love just as much! Vacationer definitely has a different sound but at the heart of it, it still has Kenny's signature lyrics and catchy hooks. It's really incredible to see an artist take a whole new direction and still maintain that certain spark! 

Take a look at all the insight Kenny gave me on Vacationer's album Gone and much more!  

For people who were fans of The Starting Line, how would describe Vacationer to them? In what ways are you still the same musician from that project and in what ways are you different?

To anyone, I usually describe Vacationer as dream-pop/trip-hop or slow-motion surf music.  I try to treat everyone the same whether or not they were a Starting Line fan. In return, I would hope they treat me simply as a musician regardless of the first piece of music they had heard from me.  In every way I'm still that same musician.  I'm not pretending to be someone new; I've always stayed true to the type of music I want to make at any point in my life.

Who inspires your song writing? How has your approach to song writing changed over the past 10 years?

My inspirations these days range everywhere from The Beach Boys to LCD Soundsystem.  I started absorbing a heavy diet of electronic music around '05 or '06, getting into the Four Tet and Album Leaf style of organic/instrumental electro.  

In resent years I've opened my self up much more to a collaborative approach to songwriting.  I've embraced sharing the control of how the songs are shaped.  It makes the process more enjoyable and I believe it also results in more dynamic material.

This project has a very unique sound and feels like I am inside a dream when I listen to it, what motivated you to go this direction?

Originally, and somewhat embarrassingly, I wanted to have a project that I could perform solo without an acoustic guitar (trading it up for a computer.)  I also was eager to make music that's not loud; the typical punk/rock band live set-up became very taxing on my ears.  I was driven to make music that tread the line between dreamy and danceable.  Once the project and the songs began to take shape, my partners Matt and Grant convinced me that I needed a full band to have a dynamic and interesting live show.  I completely agree with them and am grateful that I didn't go the route of standing in front of my computer with a microphone.

The music also makes me want to lay on the beach, where would you want to spend a day in the sun and who would you take with you? 

I know it's not coastal, but I've had the urge lately to vacation in the middle of nowhere in the vast lands of Montana.  I want to get lost there on purpose.  I can think of nice lady I'd love to bring along, but she's still existing in the crush dimension of my life.

 Which song off of  "Gone" means the most to you?

They all hold a great deal of sentimental value to me.  I was deeply in love when I wrote these songs, but unfortunately the relationship didn't last.  Her and I were no longer together and I feared that the tone of the songs would change.  So I became determined to write with the same optimism I had when I was euphoric with love.  The first lyrics I wrote after the break-up were for Trip.  It made me so relieved that I could write a song about ended love that was true to what I was feeling without being inherently negative.

What can fans expect from a Vacationer show? Should we bring a beach chair and a Hawaiian lei?

We are slightly more hyped-up live than on record.  I think it's the kind of show where it's appropriate to either dance and sing or just sway and vibe out.  Beach chairs and leis would not be out of the question.  We are also trying to get more serious about projecting visuals during the show, so look out for that and feel free to self-medicate accordingly. 

Who are some new artists you are keeping your eyes and ears on?

There is a beatmaker who goes by the name of Vanilla that I've been listening to a lot, recommended for J-Dilla fans.  I also really love the Father John Misty record; the guy has a fantastic voice. 

What was the last record you bought? 

I think it was the latest Vanilla tape "Soft Focus".  I've been meaning to get out to the record shop and pick up a vinyl of The War On Drugs' "Slave Ambient". I'm so in love with that record right now. 

It was such a pleasure to chat with Kenny and I am very excited to see Vactioner live soon and catch The Starting Line's 10 Year Anniversary Tour later this year! #musicrules. 

Let's talk music, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

What do you think of Vacationer?

Music notes; because let's face it, #musicrule. 

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend! Enjoy these three little nuggets of music news to keep you in the loop! 

For the rest of our photos from FYF Fest, click here! 

Hope to see y'all tomorrow for more Music Notes! 

Music notes; because let's face it, #musicrules. 

Enjoy these three little nuggets of music news to keep you in the loop! And check out yesterday's episode here! 

For more the rest of our spotlight on The Atlantic click here and for our Amoeba Adventure with Morning Parade here!

Hope to see y'all next week for more Music Notes! 

Record Rewind! I love listening to music hit of the past so let's taking a trip back to 1995. Here are all the top tracks of '95. 

Boyz II Men - "On Bended Knee" 

Was number one for 3 weeks back in '95.

TLC - "Creep"

Was number one for 4 weeks back in '95.

Madonna - "Take A Bow"

Was number one for 7 weeks back in '95. 

Montell Jordan - "This Is How We Do It"

Was number one for 7 weeks in '95.

Bryan Adams - "Have You Ever Really Loved a Women?"

Was number one for 5 weeks back in '95.

TLC - "Waterfalls"

Was number one for 7 weeks back in '95.

Seal - "Kiss From A Rose"

Was number one for 1 week in '95. 

Michael Jackson - "You Are Not Alone"

Was number one for 1 week in '95. 

Coolio featuring L.V. - "Gangsta's Paradise"

Was number one for 3 weeks in '95. 

Mariah Carey - "Fantasy"

Was number one for 8 weeks in '95.

Whitney Houston - "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"

Was number one for 1 week in '95.

Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men - "One Sweet Day"

Was number one for 5 weeks in '95.

Are you familar with any of these songs?

Let's talk music, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. #musicrules.

Music notes; because let's face it, #musicrules. 

Enjoy these three little nuggets of music news to keep you in the loop! 

For all of Joel Piper's Buzz Gig performance click here & for more thoughts on All Time Low's new single "For Baltimore" click here! 

Hope to see y'all tomorrow for more Music Notes! 

Here we go with another round of Artist Spotlight! This week I want you to become more familiar with The Atlantic. The band features the lovely Jessica Ess and David Newton on guitar -- and my ears are in love. The duo are currently writing a new record, but you might be familiar with Jessica from her duet with Kellin Quinn on Sleeping With Sirens' latest EP (yes, I asked her about it) -- but let's get to know both of them shall we? 

What inspired you to peruse music as a career?

Basically the fact that people have enjoyed our separate music endeavors through our lives. Music is where our hearts are.

What do you want people to take away from your music?

We want people to know that they aren't alone in their problems. There is always someone going through the same thing and we are no exception.

Who has been the biggest achievement this year for your music? 

Well this year was a big year for The Atlantic. Jess was featured on "Scene Four" of Sleeping With Sirens acoustic EP.  Alongside both of our individual accomplishments The Atlantic has been picked up by Sight In Sound management which is incredible and we are also constantly working with one of Dave's favorite producers Erik Ron.

What is your song writing process?

Dave writes all the instrumentals, sends them to Jess to write lyrics on and then we come together and collaborate on what could be better and what needs to be changed.

What was is like working with Kellin Quinn and how did that opportunity come about? 

Working with Kellin was awesome! He's a phenomenal vocalist and songwriter. Kellin actually contacted me after seeing my YouTube covers. He posted a tweet asking if anyone knew how to contact me, and when we finally got in touch he asked if I was interested in singing on the acoustic EP. Shortly after that I got in the studio and recorded the part.

You post a lot of covers, who would be your dream collaboration?

Well since I (Jess) already collaborated with my dream artist (Kellin Quinn) the next in line would be Jonny Craig.

Who has inspired you to keep working towards your ultimate goals?

Family, friends and our fans.

What music to you turn to for comfort?

For Jess it's Blue Sky Black Death and Taylor Swift. For Dave it's a toss up between The Script and Acceptance. 

What is next for The Atlantic?

Releasing all the songs we've been working on the past couple months and hopefully taking the band to the next level.

I was an instant fan and am anxious to hear what they are working on. I recommending keeping an eye out for The Atlantic. We will defiantly have more coming up with them soon! #musicrules.

Let's talk music, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

What do you think of The Atlantic? 

I have been enjoying the MTV VMAs for over a decade and have seen some of entertainment’s most memorable performances. From NSYNC to Eminem, I have seen some great stuff, but no one did it like Britney Spears back in the day!

Let’s take a look at all of her MTV VMA performances from over the years and check out this years's VMAs on September 6th at 8 pm! 

My personal favorites are 1999 and 2000 -- remember watching them then they aired live! #musicrules. 

Which is your favorite?

Let's talk music, let me know your thoughts in the comments below! 

Music notes; because let's face it, #musicrules. 

William Beckett releasing new music to members only soon. 

Go Radio's new music video. 

Anberlin's new single on PureVolume. 

The Veronica's premiere new music video. 

Music notes; because let's face it, #musicrules. 

Mark Hoppus on new Blink album. 

New Taylor Swift album coming soon. 

You, Me & Everyone We Know kick starter. 

Coheed and Cambria release new video. 

Here it is here kids, the face of All Time Low's forthcoming album Don't Panic. Looks like they have decided to return to an animated cover instead of a photo of themselves. COOL! 

The band has also announced several bundle options for pre-orders and the album's track listing. The 12-tack album will feature Cassadee Pope, Anthony Raneri of Bayside and Jason Vena of Acceptance. Sounds good to me! #musicrules. 

1. The Reckless And The Brave
2. Backseat Serenade (feat. Cassadee Pope)
3. If These Sheets Were States
4. Somewhere in Neverland
5. So Long Soldier (feat. Anthony Raneri of Bayside)
6. The Irony of Choking on a Lifesaver
7. To Live and Let Go
8. Outlines (feat. Jason Vena of Acceptance)
9. Thanks to You
10. For Baltimore
11. Paint You Wings
12. So Long, And Thanks For All The Booze

Also enjoy this official trailer for ATL's upcoming tour, lolz!

Don't Panic will hit stores October 9th on Hopeless Records!

Do you like the album cover?

Let' talk music, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.