VACANT VALLEY | INTERVIEW + TRACK REVIEW

Vacant Valley are stepping into a new era—louder, bolder, and more emotionally charged than ever.

Their latest single VICES marks a turning point for the band: written the same night new member Mitch joined, the track came together fast and hit hard, revealing a raw honesty that’s quickly becoming their signature. With moody production, soul-baring lyrics, and a dynamic sound that blends surf rock, indie, and alt textures, VICES captures the internal chaos of falling back into bad habits—and the quiet power of self-awareness.

As the band gears up for shows across QLD and NSW and hints at more music on the way, we caught up with Vacant Valley to talk about the story behind VICES, their evolving process, and what’s next for this genre-blurring outfit.

TRACK REVIEW

From the moment VICES kicks in, you’re hit with a massive wave of low-end power—huge drums and bass locking in together before the vocals float in like a warm breeze. It’s a beautifully layered opening that quickly sets the tone for what’s to come: a track that moves with ease between heaviness and haze.

There’s something unmistakably Pink Floyd-esque in the guitar work—dreamy, expressive licks that drift in and out of the mix like distant signals. But the overall feel leans more toward Ocean Alley—laid-back, surfy, and soaked in a kind of sun-drenched melancholy. You can picture it playing across a hillside amphitheatre at golden hour, crowd swaying in slow motion.

And then comes the breakdown—an absolute standout moment. The floor tom jungle beat drives everything forward with a raw, primal energy, giving the track its most hypnotic stretch. It’s unexpected, immersive, and somehow ties the whole journey together.

VICES feels like a step up for Vacant Valley—sonically bold and emotionally immersive. A perfect blend of chill and edge.

LISTEN HERE

“Vices” is such a powerful track. What sparked the idea behind it, and how did the song evolve during the writing process?

It all happened the night Mitch joined the band. We had a jam, and by the end of it, we basically had the whole track sorted. It’s the quickest we’ve ever written, recorded and released a song, usually we sit on stuff way longer. This one just took off on its own. We feel this song is the start of many good things to come from us. A new chapter. 

There’s a strong emotional undercurrent in “Vices,” especially around guilt and temptation. Were you drawing from personal experience, or was this more of a broader commentary?

Definitely personal. It’s about those times where you know better but still fall back into bad habits. But there’s a second meaning too, it’s also about someone stuck in their head, always overthinking, and missing the moment because they keep getting dragged down by their own thoughts.

The production on this track is moody and immersive. How important is atmosphere in your songwriting, and how do you build that tension in the studio?

It’s huge for us. We want you to feel something before the lyrics even hit. We build it through layering, reverb, spacey guitars and dynamics. If it feels like it could soundtrack a late-night spiral or a long drive home, we’re on the right track.

Your lyrics in “Vices” have a double meaning. How do you approach writing in a way that leaves room for interpretation while still staying personal?

We just write what we feel, but try not to make it too obvious. A line might mean one thing to us, but we want people to hear it and find their own story in it. It’s like emotional recycling.

Vacant Valley’s sound feels like it’s matured with each release. What has changed most in your writing or creative process lately?

We’re writing faster and more confidently. Bringing Mitch in was a game changer, we’ve all synced up creatively, and now it feels like we know exactly how to shape a song without overthinking it.

You’ve got shows lined up across QLD and NSW. How does “Vices” translate live, and what can fans expect from a Vacant Valley set right now?

Live, it hits harder. More energy, more edge, more chaos in the best way. We try to build tension in the set and let it all explode in the big moments. It’s sweaty, loud, and a lot of fun.

The themes in your songs often explore internal struggles and quiet chaos. Do you see music as a kind of catharsis for the band?

Yeah, it’s definitely a release. It lets us put stuff out there we might not say in a conversation. But we’re not brooding in a dark room, we’re just putting real things into songs and having a good time doing it.

How do the band’s different musical influences come into play when you’re crafting new songs? Do you each bring something different to the table?

Absolutely. Everyone’s got their own thing, psych, indie, ambient, surf Rock, alt rock. We throw it all in and blend it into what we call the Vacant Valley sound. It’s not one genre.

If “Vices” is a taste of what’s to come, can you give us any hints about future releases or what direction you’re heading in next?

There’s a lot coming. Some songs are in that same emotional, moody zone as Vices, but we’ve also got a few that are a lot more fun and upbeat. Still us, just showing a different side. Less brooding, more movement. A bit more light hearted.

What’s the biggest goal for Vacant Valley this year creatively, personally, or as a band out on the road?

Play our first festivals, first tour, release a bunch of music, keep building something solid with our fans, and make memories that actually stick. We’re taking it seriously, but not too seriously, it’s still about having a good time.

LISTEN HERE