Vandelux is ‘Falling In Love Again’ Ahead of Upcoming Sophomore Album

Finance-executive-turned-globally-renowned-electronic-artist Vandelux sat down with EDM Identity for an exclusive interview at Splash House.

Vandelux, born Evan White, is a former hedge fund COO, a current indie-electronic frontrunner, and a brand-new father. Over the last few years, the Canadian-born musician has emerged as an unforeseen asset with a globally renowned music portfolio.

Vandelux’s discography dates back to 2016 with his DIY release of “Stimulus.” Fast forward to 2021, and the seasoned songwriter and DJ dispatched what would become his highest-streamed song to date, “Matter of Time.” This tune put Vandelux on the map, earning him major festival bookings, tour dates with top performing DJs, and headline shows that Evan White, the financier, might have never thought were possible.

“I think if you obsess over something long enough, it takes over,” remarked White after playing to a bustling Saguaro audience at Splash House. Four months prior to releasing “Matter of Time” in 2021, Vandelux published a bootleg of Olivia Rodrigo‘s “Driver’s License,” which caused many, including myself, to get on board and start following the budding artist. “That was when things were all still just getting started,” White explained, adding, “I had been working a full-time finance job until about a year ago. For many years, this was all just a side hobby.”

Now, the Bay Area resident is looking ahead toward his sophomore LP, Closer, which officially arrives via Mom + Pop — in partnership with Polk Street Music — on Friday, October 10. Vandelux has delivered four singles in anticipation of the forthcoming new album: “I Want You,” “Last Train,” “Best Of My Love” featuring Zak Abel, and “Swimming In The Dark.” To find out what else he has in store come October, read on for our full conversation at Splash House.

Stream Vandelux – “Swimming In The Dark” on Spotify:

You’re two short months away from releasing your sophomore studio album, Closer, via Polk Street in partnership with Mom + Pop. How have you evolved since When The Light Breaks?

I guess my biggest life change is that my wife and I had a kid. A lot of this album is about that experience, about falling in love again — with a kid, and becoming a dad. It’s not your typical EDM subject matter, but it’s largely inspired by that. This album is a good representation of what that’s all felt like in the past year.

I personally became aware of the name Vandelux when I ripped and started playing out your “Driver’s License” SoundCloud bootleg in early 2021. How serious was the artist project at that time?

It was just getting started. I’d been working full-time in finance until about a year ago. For many years, it was just a side project, a hobby. Back then, there was no path or intention to do this full-time. But it was something that I obsessed over all the time, and I think if you obsess over something for long enough, it eventually takes over. That’s kind of where we’re at now.

You’re a living testament that the dream is never dead, or rather, that no individual is bound to one path to success. You became a full time artist 16 years into your finance career. Can you brief us on the timeline leading up to your decision to do music full-time?

Yeah, so I grew up in Canada, and I didn’t think making music was a career option for anyone who didn’t grow up in LA. For me, it was always a hobby. I’m fairly introverted, so the thought of getting onstage or performing in front of people was terrifying. It not only seemed like something that wasn’t possible, but it also just wasn’t really something I thought I wanted to do.

But I really gravitated towards writing, composing, and songwriting, just because I’ve always had a deep connection to music. When I hear a song I like, I’ll stop it halfway through and start trying to recreate it, because I want to feel and play the music, rather than just experience it. It took me a really long time to realize that anyone can make a career out of something they love — and sometimes, that’s the best option.

Without simply pinning it to a sub-genre, how do you identify your sound?

I think I’m still trying to figure that out. There are certain tracks of mine that I’d say, historically, are chill house. But if I do something for too long, I get tired of it and want to do something different. And so, on this new album, there are actually some tracks that are kind of more pop-leaning. Then there’s some stuff that’s maybe a bit more club/electronic leaning, and then there’s a drum and bass track on it. It’s kind of all over the place. As far as defining it as a whole, I’d say electronic or chill electronic, but there’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t fit that mold as well.

Is it fair to say that the new album keeps within the 120-135 BPM range?

Yeah, for the most part. There’s one track that’s like 150, the drum and bass one. And the slowest one I think is 118.

How far do you hope to take the Vandelux project?

In terms of tempo? I’m kidding, I want to take it all the way. But if one day it all falls apart and there’s no more money left to be made, I am still going to be making music just because that’s what I love doing.

If you could have any singer you wanted on a follow-up to Closer, who would it be?

It’d be fun to do a proper club EP, and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing HAYLA perform a few times. Her voice is just incredible; it sounds great on recordings, but when you see her sing live, it’s just as, if not more, insane to witness. I always thought it would be great to write a good track for her to belt on, but I’m too nervous to ask.

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