Kat Harlton
Canadian Electro-Pop artist, DJ, and producer Velvet Code recently released his brand new album, “Dreamer“. His first single, “Break The Silence” has received over 1.5 million plays worldwide, and second single “Mary Offered Ladybugs and Love Yous” is currently in the top 50 on the Billboard Dance Club chart.
A proud and vocal member of the LGBT community, Velvet Code has plans to embark on an international Pride Festival tour, with additional tour dates to be announced in the fall.
Upbeat, innovative, and incredibly creative, Velvet Code collaborated with industry legend Wendy Starland (Lady Gaga) to create a dance album that also deals with some serious topics, including mental health and anxiety. With his modern, electronic take on 80’s music influences, Dreamer honours Velvet Code’s classic sound, with musical influences from Madonna, Freddie Mercury, Robyn, and Muse, and genres ranging from electro pop to trance, EDM, and house. His music has previously been featured on hit shows The Hills and Jersey Shore.
The album, written in dedication to the artists’ father who passed away from pancreatic cancer last year, is a collection of stories from Velvet Code’s own life experiences, written with the aim of inspiring hope in today’s political climate. Velvet Code hopes that despite any struggle’s listeners may be going through, the collection of songs on “Dreamer” will serve as a reminder that their dreams are still alive and waiting for them.
We had the opportunity to chat with the rising artist and talk inspiration, tackling serious topics and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your new album “Dreamer”?
Velvet Code: I’ve always been a dreamer, an eternal optimist, and a believer in love. But life is not a fairytale, and this album is a a mixture of dreams and nightmares that, in solidarity, we are facing today. The fight against those trying to take away our freedom, those who participate in racism, hate speech, bullying and homophobia, is real. Those fighting mental illness, is real. I hope this album inspires people to stand up and be heard.
Kat: Your album tackles some serious topics, including mental health and anxiety, what inspired you to tackle these topics? and was it difficult to tackle these subjects for a dance album?
Velvet Code: Not really because I love to write sad dance songs. I’ve seen many friends battle addiction and mental health issues and it has affected me deeply. I wish there wasn’t so much stigmatism around it. I feel the time to break the silence is now if we’re going save ourselves. It wasn’t hard to tackle these subjects because I love to write sad dance songs. It’s my therapy :)
Kat: Your music has featured on hit shows The Hills and Jersey Shore, how has this affected you as an artist? Has that success changed your music or direction in any way?
Velvet Code: I try not to get too caught up in what’s popular or what music might get me onto a TV show or movie. I just love making music that makes me think about things more deeply and I just hope people can relate to my songs. But hey, it one of my songs gets onto a hit tv show, I’m not gonna turn away!
Kat: What’s on your playlist?
Velvet Code: Right now, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Armin Van Buuren and Lady Gaga (she is always on my playlists), but if you want to hear what I am listening to on a weekly basis, please follow me on Facebook as I will be doing a weekly Facebook Live Music stream called “Rise to the Rhythm” of my favourites from the week. The first stream starts the week of June 11th – more details can be found on Facebook.
Kat: What’s next?
Velvet Code: I’m doing a Toronto Pride Weekend Performance at a rooftop event on Saturday June 22nd, but you can get real-time updates on my tour plans by following me on Facebook or Instagram (@Velvetcodeofficial).