EQUATE Introducing VagueEightySix

EQ: Hey VagueEightySix. How did you get into music?

V: Peace. First of all, I’m just a huge fan of music and all genres. When I was a kid, I remember growing up and being influenced by a wide variety of things I saw and heard. That just kind of stuck with me and my listening ear has become accustomed to that ever since. I was that kid who sat by the stereo absorbing all of my parent’s records, just listening to vinyl’s, reading the lyrics and singing along with these massive headphones on that were bigger than my head. The music took me to another world, I was already hooked.

EQ: Your sound is a beautiful blend of electronica and R&B, with a dash of Hip Hop and House. Who did you grow up listening to and which artists are currently your biggest inspiration sonically?

V: My auntie was a stylist for artists back in the late 80’s and 90’s. I remember seeing stacks of CDs and records of the greats early in their careers and sometimes I would catch myself just analysing the front and back cover of these amazing albums and just being captivated…especially when I discovered the Source and Vibe magazines she had stacked from the floor to the ceiling. I saw how cool and carefree the artists looked back then; I was SO inspired that I knew I wanted to be a part of that world.

I’m from the UK, so House & Garage is something that was just natural to me growing up around the clubbing scene. But going back to the Vibe and Source magazines I was heavily influenced by artists like D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Naughty by Nature, Outkast / ATLiens days as well as The Roots and A Tribe Called Quest.

EQ: I’m curious to hear about the background behind your artist name?

V: Vague is what and who I am. I don’t like to reveal or give too much away. I like to leave a lot open to interpretation. 1986 was the year I was born.

EQ: Only very recently you have released your debut single Better Tomorrow, swiftly followed by Songbird and Golden. How did it feel debuting your music, was it something you’ve worked on for a long time?

V: I produced and wrote everything through lockdown, so it was kind of a blessing for me to truly home in, work on my craft and finish off songs. I’m always humbled by the responses I get from people who listen, I appreciate the energy given back to me from those who do.