IN THE SPOTLIGHT: vistas
With summer having just begun and the days marked with more sunshine, it’s a perfect time to check out vistas’ bright, upbeat sound (not to mention, they have a song titled “Summer”). vistas, hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland, formed in early 2016, and currently consists of Prentice Robertson (vocals), Dylan Rush (guitar), and Jamie Law (bass). They put out their debut single, “Sign Language,” in March 2016, followed by a number of others, including their hits “Retrospect” and “Calm”. These led up to the release of their debut EP, Hello, which came out on July 19, 2019 via LAB Records. Most recently, May 29, 2020 marked the release of their much-anticipated debut record, Everything Changes in the End, via Retrospect Records (available as vinyl, CD, and cassette). They have shared their exciting sound in a handful of cities throughout the UK, such as London, Manchester, and Liverpool. In addition, they have opened for artists like The Wombats, and are scheduled to perform a London show opening for Circa Waves in September, followed by a headline tour later in the fall.
To promote their debut record and connect with listeners, they’ve been organizing and hosting public Zoom meetings, along with livestream events. Taking a pause, Prentice kindly took some time to chat about his first instrument, the process behind crafting the debut record, and his tour essentials.
What’s the story behind the formation of vistas?
We all met in high school and played music together. I was in a band with Jamie, and I was also in a different band with Dylan. After we left school, we combined those two bands, and that’s how Vistas came to be.
What was the first instrument (musical or non-musical) you started making music with?
Very uncool, but it was the violin. I really really hated playing the violin, but my parents convinced me to stick with it. That’s what led me to learning the guitar, so I’m very grateful for that.
Which song (released or unreleased) are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of all of our songs, but “Retrospect” has particular prominence for me. After we released that song, a lot more people started getting into our music, and I think that tune helped kick things off for us.
You released your debut record, Everything Changes in the End, on May 29, 2020. What was the process behind writing, recording, and producing it?
The writing process started roughly in 2018 and continued all throughout recording the album. A few of the tracks that made it onto the album weren’t even written when we went in to record and were just born in the studio. We recorded the majority of the album in a residential studio in the seaside town of Ramsgate, and did the finishing touches in Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. The whole thing was a really enjoyable, and I think being in a residential studio living where we were recording helped our creativity to come out in new ways.
While on the road, what are some of your essential tour items?
A nice fresh towel (because you never know when you’ll need it), sunglasses, some decent coffee, and a deck of cards.
What are you currently listening to?
We’re all big fans of the new Strokes album. It’s probably obvious from listening to our music that we all love The Strokes and the new album shows they can still produce fresh takes on the classic indie formula.
What’s your favorite food and/or restaurant in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, there are so many great places to eat. Paradise Palms does a full vegan menu, and the deep-fried seitan is unreal. Also, Mother India’s Cafe does lovely Indian food in a tapas style and have the best peshwari naan I’ve ever had.
If there were a pizza with the name “vistas,” what toppings would it feature?
Well, I like mushroom, Dylan likes pineapple, and Jamie likes pepperoni, so I think that represents us well but it probably wouldn’t taste great.
Who is your favorite superhero character, and why?
I like the Arkham games, so I’d probably go for Batman.
What’s a question you have wanted to get asked in an interview, and what’s the response to it?
I’d love to do one of those shows where you talk about your guitars and pedals, so just something about that. I basically just like to talk about guitars for ages.
A huge thank you to Prentice and vistas for taking the time and thought to respond to the questions, and Nick for coordinating!
Stay tuned for all updates by following vistas on Twitter (@vistasmusic) and Instagram (@vistasmusic), and liking them on Facebook (/vistasband)!