Chris and Xuan join the pod to discuss artistic serendipity, co-writing, unexpected choices, and how recording choices inform genre.
Veronicavon, the brainchild of songwriters Chris Hackman (Human Barbie) and Xuan Nguyen (Xuan), emerged in 2020 with a (secret) mission to explore uncharted horizons in lo-fi pop. Their universe of grainy synths, cassette-drenched drums, and warbling guitars, complemented by Nguyenâs enchanting vocals, creates a wistful, playful, and instantly addictive dreamscape. Flood Magazine dubbed them "casually devastating," and their hypnotic bedroom aesthetic quickly garnered a passionate audience, with over 500k streams on Spotify in their first year. They've been featured on editorial playlists like âFresh Findsâ, âBorderlessâ, and âFuzzyâ. Keep a close eye on this duo, as they follow in the footsteps of alt-pop icons Men I Trust, Alvvays, and Japanese Breakfast.
Human Barbie, an analog fantasy formed in 2018 by songwriter Christopher Leopold, weaves wistful pop, shoegaze, and psychedelia into a melancholy glowscape. Their debut album âGet a Lifeâ (Poor Man Records, 2020) explores personal heartbreak through psychedelic pop, meticulously recorded on vintage equipment. âGet a Lifeâ received acclaim from fans and critics, featuring in Brooklyn Vegan, BIRP!, Indie Shuffle, KCRW, Buzzbands.la, and Spotify playlists like Undercurrents, IRL ANGEL, and Fresh Finds. The album was a top seller on Bandcamp, with songs used in commercials, including a Facebook radio ad and DISCOâs 2022 SXSW mixtape. Inspired by its success, Leopold crafted the patient and expansive EP âno worriesâ in a Baltimore warehouse, channeling 90âs-era shoegaze nostalgia.
Be sure to check out their music and follow at:
https://www.instagram.com/therealhumanbarbie/
https://www.instagram.com/vvsohot/
And to hear my music and visit the links, Â â â â â https://scoobertdoobert.pizzaâ
Podcast Produced by Beformer