Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage and substance.
At HallyuTones we have worked with numerous artists at various stages of their music careers. Many of these artists have had lengthy careers in the music industry with multiple albums to their name. However, sometimes we are given the distinct pleasure to help introduce a newly debuted artist to the world.
Today’s guest is Victoria Ivy Embers, an artist from New York with a background in song-writing, acting and photography. She’s just made her debut with her single, ‘Rewind’, a retro-inspired track with deep musical influences steeped in her own personal experiences.
Read on to discover more about Victoria Ivy Embers, her new song, and her artistic influences!
Interview:
Q1. Hello and welcome to HallyuTones – Please could you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! My name is Victoria Ivy Embers and I’m an actress, singer/songwriter, writer, and photographer from New York, currently living and working in Los Angeles.
Q2. You just made your debut with your single ‘Rewind’! Could you tell us some more about this single?
“Rewind” is a really special song for me because it reflects a period of my life when I left a situation I was unhappy in and finally chose myself. Looking back, there were so many moments when I wished I could turn back time and make different choices, especially choosing myself and walking away when I knew deep down that I wasn’t happy. Musically, I wanted “Rewind” to have a sound that was inspired by nostalgic 80s/90s pop blended with modern-day K-Pop.
Q3. You wrote this song yourself as well. Would you be able to share a little about the inspiration behind the lyrics?
The lyrics came from a very real and personal place in my life. I spent three years in an emotionally abusive relationship that, looking back, took a lot away from me. I reached a point where I didn’t really recognise myself anymore, and I had lost sight of so many of the things that used to make me happy, including my own dreams.
When I started writing “Rewind,” I kept thinking about the idea of being able to go back in time and tell my younger self that staying somewhere you’re mistreated in fear of not finding better isn’t worth it. I think a lot of us have moments when we wish we could revisit a certain point in our lives and make a different decision, whether that means leaving a relationship, standing up for ourselves, or simply choosing our own happiness.
Q4. Every artist has their own unique creative process. How do you approach song-writing and creation?
My songwriting process usually starts with an emotion or an experience that I can’t quite put into words yet. I’m a very introspective person, so I tend to draw inspiration from things I’ve lived through, the people I’ve met, thoughts or opinions I have, and even the versions of myself I’ve had to grow out of. I like the idea of taking something that feels very personal and turning it into something other people can connect with, even if their experiences are completely different from mine. I often try to create or find an instrumental that fits the mood, take the emotion/idea I want to convey, and then fit in words like puzzle pieces to see what sounds and feels right.
Q5. You’ve shared how you are inspired by R&B, 90’s pop and even K-Pop. How did each of these genres influence you and your style?
I think each of these genres influences a different part of who I am as an artist, and I love that they all bring something different to the table. R&B has influenced the way I think about emotion and vocal delivery. I love music that feels intimate and soulful, where you can really hear the feeling behind the lyrics. I want my music to have that emotional depth, even when the production is more upbeat or catchy. 90s pop inspires me in a completely different way. As someone who was born in the early 2000s, I heard lots of it growing up. I’m drawn to the melodies, the nostalgia, and the bold visual identities that came with that era.
There’s something so timeless about music that immediately makes you feel something, and I love the playful, expressive aesthetic of 90s pop. I think that influence also comes through in my personal style and the visual world I want to create around my music. K-Pop is probably one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to the overall artistic vision.
I love how K-Pop artists aren’t just musicians; they’re storytellers. Every comeback can have its own concept, styling, choreography, and visual universe, and the music becomes part of a much bigger experience. As someone who has done photography, creative direction, and who also loves acting and performing, that really resonates with me because I see so many ways to combine music, visuals, and storytelling.
Q6. At HallyuTones we typically share interviews with K-Pop idols and bands. How do you feel K-Pop has inspired you, and do you have a favourite K-Pop artist?
K-Pop has inspired me so much, not just musically but in the way I think about being an artist as a whole. I love how K-Pop combines music, fashion, storytelling, and performance into one complete experience. Every artist has their own identity and world, and I think that’s such a beautiful way to connect with fans beyond just the music itself.
As someone who also loves acting and creating visual concepts, I’m really inspired by how K-Pop artists can transform themselves for different eras while still maintaining their individuality. I love the attention to detail that goes into everything, from the production and choreography to the styling and music videos. It makes me want to approach my own artistry with that same level of creativity and intention.
I have so many K-pop artists I love, but I’m particularly drawn to EXO. They were the group that got me into K-Pop. I found them around 2014, and because of them, I’ve been introduced to a whole new world and genre of music and storytelling.
Q7. Your debut song will also release alongside a music video. Can you explain how this came together, and the styling choices behind the video?
For me, I wanted the music video to represent the concept of “Rewind” by drawing inspiration from nostalgic and campy visuals. I’m really drawn to retro aesthetics, especially the glamour and boldness of Old Hollywood and the 50s-90s, so that was a big inspiration for the styling. I love pieces that feel a little vintage, feminine, and fun, but still have a strong personality.
I wanted the overall look to feel like its own little world rather than just a traditional music video. The most important thing for me was making sure the visuals complemented the emotion behind the song without making everything feel too serious or heavy. The song comes from a difficult chapter of my life, but I also wanted this release to feel like reclaiming my identity and having fun with my creativity again.
Q8. If you could ‘REWIND’ time and collaborate with any artist from the past, who would you work with and why?
Without a doubt, Michael Jackson! I think he was one of the most influential and innovative artists of all time, and I would have loved to experience his creative process first hand. He was so much more than a musician. He was a performer, a storyteller, and a visionary who completely changed the way people experienced music. I would love to know what went through his mind when he was creating some of his biggest hits and how he came up with such iconic concepts. Getting to collaborate with him would be an incredible opportunity to learn from someone who understood how to make music timeless.
Q9. What styles of music would you like to explore in the future?
I’d really like to explore more rock and post-punk influenced styles. Originally, when I started first writing music, that’s the genres I gravitated towards. However, as I’ve changed and evolved as an artist and a human, I really wanted to tap into the artistry, the dedication, and the visual aesthetics of making pop music.
Q10. Lastly, do you have any messages for any new listeners?
First of all, I just want to say thank you so much for being here and giving me a chance! Releasing my single is such a surreal moment for me, especially because this song comes from such a personal chapter of my life. It means so much to be able to share a piece of myself with people who may be discovering me for the very first time, and to be able to turn a negative experience into something so positive! I’m still at the very beginning of my journey as an artist, and there’s so much I want to explore creatively, from music and acting to visual storytelling. I’m excited to keep growing, experimenting with different sounds, and sharing more of myself with you all along the way.
Thank you so much to Victoria Ivy Embers for trusting HallyuTones for her debut interview. We love to spotlight all artists, whether they are experienced or fresh on the scene. We wish you all the best on your artistic journey and we are so excited to see what the future brings for you!
To support Victoria Ivy Embers, be sure to follow her at the links below:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@victoriaivyembers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriaivyembers/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@victoriaxembers
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UWBoHcKEQMBBUiLjSDB5K
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/victoria-ivy-embers/1688214312
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