Varsity Dropout is an artist based in Chicago, Illinois. His first single Her Melody has received over 20,000 streams with no marketing. His sound is a unique fusion of lo-fi, alternative, hip-hop, along with folk music. He has thus far released two self-produced albums Viewpoints and Lucidity along with singles in between the two releases. Varsity Dropout’s music is relatable, brutally honest, and highly introspective. In an interview, Varsity explained that music is a therapeutic outlet for him to cope with his everyday life and in hopes to create music that others can relate to, to feel less alone.
Whether he’s getting sensitive in “Her Melody” or rolling like a carefree vagabond in any of the other tracks that this righteous record is sporting, Varsity Dropout establishes himself as a modern-day master of the art of making music.
There’s a textural expressiveness to songs like “Kiss You Longer” and “What you want” that you just can’t find in a lot of the mainstream pop albums that have been pulling in the big buzz from both coasts over the last year.
Varsity Dropout artfully weaves different instrumental components together in “Lakeshore Drive,” “Kiss you better” and “Just say the words” and despite the fact that every one of these compositions is an individual beast in its own right, there’s a sense of continuity to the music that makes everything feel progressively tied together, as though we were reading from different passages in an intimate diary of love, lust, loss, and luminosity.
I don’t often say this about blues records, but Last Call… feels almost operatic in its storytelling-centric aesthetic, and I think that it’s outside of box-style construction is definitely what makes it the perfect LP to kick off the ensuing December month.
I’ve been listening to a lot of really good music this year, but of all the records in this genre, Varsity Dropout’s latest is definitely in a class of its own. Every time that we think we’ve heard the best of his brilliance in action, like the chest-beating “Viewpoints” for example, he turns around and finds a way to top himself, like in the climactic ending number “I Hate that I Luv you,” which isn’t something that can be said for the vast majority of artists he’s competing with for the spotlight at the moment.
Varsity is an ace at making unselfish, easy-going records with a soulful, independent-minded lyrical center, and if you’ve never heard his music before now, I would say that this album is a good way of getting acquainted with his sound. It’s certainly one of the more complete efforts I’ve heard from an independent performer recently, and a strong contender for the best indie albums of the year if his scene fails to match its high caliber of content.
We decided to catch up with Varsity for an exclusive interview on Camden Monthly…
What inspired you to get into music?
Well, it all started when I first listened to Fruit Salad by the Wiggles when I was 18. I’m just kidding. It’s actually funny because I got into music at a young age and it all began with my friend Diego in third grade asking me for help because he wanted to write a poem for this girl he had a crush on. It was no Shakesphere but they definitely held hands after he gave her that poem. Then from there, I began writing poetry up until I learned how to play guitar and started writing cheesy songs that a 10/11-year-old would write. Like about recess and how life was hard because I had to be home before the street lights came on. So much angst at that age.
How would you describe your music?
This is always a tough question to answer because I have a hard time describing it myself. But I’d say it’s a mix of lo-fi hip-hop, pop, indie, and pop-punk. Honestly, when I’m in the recording process it just depends on my mood and what I’m feeling at that moment. One day I could be making a pop song and the next it could be a punk song. There’s no in-between.
What would you say is your recording and songwriting style?
I’ve always used music as an outlet for my feelings. Most of the time my songs are about my best friend/girlfriend. She’s quite lovely and I still get tongue-tied when I try to tell her how I feel which is why I do it through music. However, in general, I tend to struggle with expressing how I feel anyway. So when I’m recording music I can just kind of be brutally honest with how I’m feeling, cut loose, and have fun.
Where would you like to see your music career in 5 years’ time?
I’m not really sure. I try not to think too far ahead and just live in the present. But it would be super rad to tour the world and meet my fans in person! I also would love to make a song with Dodi. Her voice is beautiful and it’d be awesome to work with somebody so talented!
Where can music fans listen to your music?
Fans can check out my music across all streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube, Tidal, and all other streaming services!
Click here and here to listen to more music from Varsity Dropout