We sat down with Fran Vasilić to discuss his latest EP The Very Last Thoughts On Earth and his long journey of getting to where he is today. The project is an homage to learning to say no, and being okay with doing so, something Vasilić has finally achieved.
BTS: What was the musical process like for your EP The Very Last Thoughts on Earth?
Vasilić: It was really interesting. This was my first time working with other people – I wasn’t alone in my room anymore. This elevated it to another level. No second thoughts in the process, I really enjoyed that. Also, the previous movement was on a limited budget and I was still in university so it was done on a 30 euro mic from eBay. I studied in Amsterdam and moved there in 2018. I got a bachelors in political science – it’s pretty different than what I do now. I used to write essays about things that bothered me in the world. Now I write songs about things that bother me in my personal life. It’s like two sides of the coin.
BTS: How did you write “Subject”?
Vasilić: This is the song that my EP was built around. The whole idea is to follow me on this path away from saying yes to everything and being insecure about my decision making. Everyone has the situation of liking someone and not being sure if they like you back or if there’s a possibility. You’re more content with the unknown because that’s more comfortable than rejection. I wanted to encapsulate that feeling and build other songs so they are connected to it.
BTS: What was it like writing “Might as Well”?
Vasilić: Where I come from, saying yes to everything and being polite is encouraged. We have this phrase, it’s easier to follow the flow of life than put pressure on it. I might as well talk about the other side of that. It’s a darker song that comes with the doubts – sort of a negative meeting. I’ve been struggling with saying no for a while. I try to explore that emotion and see why I get so frustrated. I’m learning to say no.
BTS: And “Maybe”?
Vasilić: I wrote it in the time where I was most distance from my friend I think. There were a lot of question marks in my life. I wrote it when social media started. I was still at university and questioning the music thing. My friends were going into masters and my family wanted me to do that. It was kind of risky for me. I didn’t know if I stopped college in Amsterdam, would I move? Didn’t know if I had enough money to move to a bigger music city. I didn’t really want to move home back with family. A lot of question marks…
BTS: How about “The One About Rejection”?
Vasilić: I wrote a lot of songs about being rejected. A lot of songwriters come from facing that head on. I wanted to explore the other side. Rejecting somebody can feel almost as bad as being rejected. I was wishing this person would reject me so I didn’t have to do it myself. It beats at you for days/ months. It’s easier for other people to make the decision. I tried to explore that in this song – it’s the ending to this journey of learning to say no. It’s an appropriate song to end the EP with.
BTS: What do you hope listeners take away from it?
Vasilić: I guess the title which is The Very Last Thoughts on Earth. I want people to be aware that whatever decision people make, it’s not as big as it seems. There are ways to recover. Our decision making, (yes, no, maybe), we put so much emphasis on. Some decisions can ruin a week, a day, a month, but it won’t ruin our life. Remember that when facing a hard decision.
BTS: What’s your favorite song on the EP and why?
Vasilić: It changes literally every 5 minutes. I would say it’s “Maybe” at the moment. I feel like when I finished the EP, “Might As Well” was my favorite. But I spent the most time on this one and recorded a choir of vocals so it felt very personal and raw. I think it’s also my favorite now because of the music video. It was the first time I created visuals alongside the music. Exploring visuals is very exciting to me. It’s almost as important as the music for me. I wanted people to have both aspects – see and hear. That’s why it’s my favorite, because the visual side. I’m very happy with how it turned out.
BTS: How has your childhood/ personal life impacted your music?
Vasilić: That’s a long question haha. I think the most is that I wasn’t raised in a musical family. It’s a positive and a negative. I had the opportunity to dabble in music without outside influences. I think my childhood had an impact – growing up on an island in Croatia. And my parents grew up in Yugoslavia. Music wasn’t an opportunity in communist state. Music was always a wish for me not a reality; I think that’s the most impactful way. I never thought there was a future in music for me coming from Croatia into a global market. A lot has changed since the 90’s – now we have social media which I’m so thankful for. I have to remind myself how good it is because other musicians from other parts of the world don’t have this option. I’m also aware that people in other parts of the world with big music markets don’t get a lot of supports back home. Everyone wants their kids to be doctors, lawyers, etc.
BTS: How would you describe your sound?
Vasilić: I always kind of say that I’m the intersection of a lot of indie rock that I listened to in high school on my iPod (The Strokes, The Black Keys discography etc.), early 2000’s, and bedroom synth dream pop in college. Rex Orange County and Gus Dapperton are current influences. Also, a lot of older synth pop music from Yugoslavia – the music I listened to growing up that I really enjoy.
BTS: What can we expect from you next?
Vasilić: I’m putting most of my energy in putting together live shows right now. I’m planning on doing some things in New York in the fall. It will be everywhere on my social media. I’m trying to write as much as possible and work with people and do as much as I can. I used to be a student when all this started and now I’m not. It’s really cool to execute all my ideas.
BTS: What are you most excited for in the future?
Vasilić: I would say performing – it’s definitely my number 1. I want people to hear and see me. I’m really confident and that’s probably what I’m looking forward to the most. And building, with larger audiences. When I think of my future, I see myself recording and performing. I want to work on more visuals. Also, have cooler merch.
BTS: What final message do you want to send to fans and listeners?
Vasilić: I think my number 1 is I’m so so so thankful for everyone who has followed my journey. There wasn’t really a moment where I thought I’d pursue music – it’s literally because people tuned in and listen to what I sing and write about. I’m so so so grateful.
Vasilić is full of gratitude and we can’t wait for him to get the full recognition he deserves. What was once a dream, is now his reality.
Stream The Very Last Thoughts on Earth now!
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