Heavy metal singer VILIVANT isn’t planning on a summer full of performances this year. But the Mayfield Secondary School alumna isn’t sitting idle, either. The Caledon musician has been hard at work on new music with renowned L.A. producer Scott Stevens, whose impressive credits include Halestorm, Dorothy, Daughtry, Shinedown, and Nothing More. Known for her powerhouse vocals and electrifying stage presence, VILIVANT says this new collaboration is helping her explore a more evolved and mature sound. She’s excited for longtime fans—and new ones—to hear what she’s been creating.
VILIVANT’s musical journey began early. She was approached at just 14 years old to record a song for the Pan Am Games, a pivotal experience that inspired her to start writing her own music. Her first two singles ‘Never Again,’ and ‘Stabilized’ saw widespread radio airplay on stations throughout the country. The momentum continued as the two singles climbed to #89 and #98 on the Top 100 Canadian rock radio charts, helping her gain a loyal fanbase.
She has since shared the stage with talent such as Lee Aaron, Finger Eleven, Wide Mouth Mason and Big Wreck, as well as a cross-Canada tour as direct support for Matthew Good and his Band.
We caught up with VILIVANT to find out more about her upcoming music and what it was like touring alongside top Canadian talent like the Matthew Good Band.
OR: Tell us about the new music you’re working on.
V: This new material is different, new, and fresh to me.
I was very fortunate that Scott Stevens reached out to me wanting to see if we could work together. He sees potential in me, which is amazing.
I went down to L.A. in October and recorded some stuff that is very different than anything I have released before. It’s harder rock, more Americanized – edgy with a vocal style.
I think my fans will be surprised, but also, hopefully, they will think, ‘Oh my God, this is freaking awesome.’
At least that’s what I thought when I first heard it. I love it.
OR: How do you approach songwriting? Do you start with lyrics, melodies, or guitar riffs?
It depends on how I’m feeling. Ninety-five percent of the time, it starts with a melody. It will come to me, and I’ll hum it into my voice memos so I don’t forget it.
Then, when I get home, I try to arrange it on either piano or guitar—I play both instruments. I get the foundation of a melody down, and then it takes time for me to write lyrics because I have to figure out what I want the song to be about. Lyrics usually come last.
OR: Where do you draw inspiration from when creating new material?
V: Honestly, it just kind of happens. I’m always sparked with different ideas. Sometimes I’m sitting down and get this idea, or I hear a story from a friend or a family member, and I think, ‘Oh, this would be a cool song.’
OR: You received a grant for your first full length album, ‘Running on Empty.’ What was that like?
V: Yes, I received a Factor Juried Sound Recording grant back in 2022.
I was super ecstatic when I first heard the news that I was officially funded.
Without the grant, I probably wouldn’t have been able to make the album happen the way it did or achieve the visuals for both music videos, ‘Running on Empty’ and ‘Drown’ (the two singles off of the album).
I give big thanks to Factor for believing in the project and for continuing to believe in me on my future projects.
OR: You’ve toured with some talented Canadian musicians such as Lee Aaron, Finger Eleven and Matthew Good band. Do you have any memorable moments from those experiences?
V: The Matthew Good tour I did last year was an amazing experience.
Being my first big tour, I wanted to come out guns blazing and really showcase who VILIVANT is in front of hundreds of people each night in venues all across Canada.
The experience really opened my eyes to what touring is all about and how taxing it can be.
It’s travelling in a van for hours, very little rest, showering in venue bathrooms.
But it’s also rewarding to perform in front of new and recurring fans each night.
I am super grateful to have been given this opportunity and I can’t wait for the next one.
OR: What’s the best live performance you’ve ever been a part of, and what made it unforgettable?
V: I would say it was when I played History in Toronto with Matthew Good band.
I’ve never played History before and it’s an amazing venue.
It’s a smaller space owned by Drake and Live Nation. It was the hometown show of the tour and it was basically sold out.
I was super grateful to be on that stage and experience the energy of the crowd.
And to have people listen to my set and then follow me afterward.
It was an incredible experience. I would love to do something like that again.
It made me realize that this is what I wanted to do with my life.
OR: What music are you listening to these days? What musicians are you inspired by?
V: I listen to so many different types of music these days. I am always discovering new bands and artists and I am easily inspired by something new that I could implement into my own music.
Bands that I am heavily listening to right now are The Warning and Nothing More.
OR: What advice would you give to people trying to break into the music industry?
V: It may sound cliché but so many people in the industry will try to shape you into something that you’re not.
That’s actually what my song, “Drown” is about – people who are trying to get into your grill and trying to change you to maybe fit the, “industry standards.”
If you’re not being yourself, your fans will spot that and not be interested in your music. They will feel like it’s not authentic to you.
I would say, be yourself, write what you want to write, perform because you love performing.
Constructive criticism is amazing, but you have to make sure if you are taking it, it’s what you’re comfortable with because at the end of the day, that’s why you are doing music, right? For you.
OR: Do you have any upcoming tours or performances?
V: In terms of shows, I have a lot of things and opportunities in the works, but I am mainly focused on writing and recording.
This year is an exciting new chapter of my career and I cannot wait to launch something fresh.