For his debut EP Wonderland, Vienna Vienna is teaming up with Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz through a partnership with his legendary label DCD2 and PULSE Records. The EP explores Vienna Vienna’s journey with self-acceptance and queerness while growing up “equally deeply Christian and very devout.” It takes the listener through all his highs and lows, imbued with the smiling snark of ‘00s pop-punk, the glamor and glitter of queer pop, and the earnestness of soft-rock ballads.
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- Page 3“Wonderland is a bit of a time capsule. Coming of age stories have always fascinated me—how and when people discover themselves. I looked at my life and thought I was finally becoming, so I wrote it down. Wonderland was a tinnitus-inducing show where I snuck out back and pretended to have smoked a cigarette before; the pain I’d been burying tearing its way through; strangers and lovers at the same time. It was finding community, still feeling lonely, finding a voice but too scared to say anything—though less so now that I’ve found a place in it all. I’m grateful for how building this world has changed me. Maybe now, someone else should give it a spin."
- Vienna (Everything’s Fine)Everything’s Fine’s instrumental came about very quickly. It was an exercise in trust for me, just running with the first idea I had. I tracked and wrote the riff at the same time. When I started to yell out some melodies—again just trying things, running with it. The phrase "Vienna Vienna Vienna" came out. I thought it sounded pretty, and I realized very shortly after where it was coming from. A friend of mine had recently told me that not sharing my struggle was only making it worse, they read me completely. I thought they had summed up just about everything. Vienna is something you reach for, something you dream about. A place where nobody can truly see you. I realized it was something I needed to let go of.
- [Chorus]“I'm not scared to die” Yeah fucking right
- Sex Drugs WhateverLooking for pretty much anything to occupy my time and attention, I turned my head the wrong way and faced down every unhealthy coping mechanism at the same time. Sex Drugs Whatever is a collage of notes app quips. I’ve always loved cliche, and I’ve spent much of my time trying to invent some of my own.
- Lights up on meStill staring at the ceiling All my friends are fast asleep
- WonderlandWonderland started as a voice memo, a somber little acoustic tune. I sat with it and realized I was, just a bit bored. I’ve spent a ton of time in theatre and I thought it was right to channel a dramatic spirit. Building out the vocal harmony was a patient effort. I wanted everything to feel lush and dynamic, I did my best to channel a little Freddy.
- I fell in love with the world on the internetClosing the blinds so it's easier to forget The smoke in your eyes as they hide and disguise all the panic
- Make A Man Out Of YouThis song was totally in service of the live show. I wanted it to feel explosive and magnetic. Focused on sticky riffs and cut-you-in-half guitar tones. I thought about strangers and lovers and how sometimes you get both at the same time.
- I don’t mean to cause a scene, but respectfully, IThink that we should do bad things in this parking lot.” I’m getting nervous when I'm looking at your knee-high boots
- One More Last TimePeople grow in rain. Luckily this might mean that we’re all wildflowers, so, at least thats something to hold on to. Writing this song was therapeutic for me, I learned a lot about myself. At the time I was listening to mostly Radiohead. I’m obsessed with the way they utilize structure and build tension. I knew I knew this song would need a cathartic payoff.
- [Verse 1]Gave you gave the light from the sun in my pocket You disappeared and you told me you lost it
- Beauty QueenI never intended to record this song, I always thought it was best in a live setting. Beauty queen is a plea for acceptance. It’s not recorded to a click, it was done in one take, live in an airplane hanger. We added a few things on guitar in post but, but, those vocals are true, live, intimate experience.
- [Verse 1]You're like a wave, you always pull me in With the moon, you push away again Letting me know
- 1. Vienna (Everything's Fine)2. Sex Drugs Whatever 3. Wonderland
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I don’t mean to cause a scene, but respectfully, I
Think that we should do bad things in this parking lot.”
I’m getting nervous when I'm looking at your knee-high boots
You looked at me and said, “I’m gonna make a man out of you.”
Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you
You command, you command, you command and I do Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you
You command, you command, you command and I do We’re pulling in and biting lips and tasting bubble gum
You run your fingers through my hair I think I'm gonna…
Come to my senses realize that I’m in over my head
They say that chivalry’s dead, but then you open the door
We’re in the back of the car, the windows covered in fog
I know how it’s gonna еnd but I don’t know where to start
And now you’re taking it off and now i’m losing my cool
Bеcause you said again, “I’m gonna make a man out of you.”
Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you
You command, you command, you command and I do Now we’re running on the power of ecstasy
And every touch is pure electricity
I could die as I’m touching the sky and that look in your eye’s gonna bring me to life
Yeah you can pin me down, or you can tie me up
No, I don’t mind it babe I like it when you’re a little rough
Never knew how to scream, now I know what you mean
Can you hear- oh I can hear the angels sing
Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you
You command, you command, you command and I do Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you
You command, you command, you command and I do I’ll make a, I’ll make a, I’ll make a man out of you
I’ll make a, I’ll make a, I’ll make a man out of you
I’ll make a, yeah make a, yeah make a man out of you
Ill make a man out, I’ll make a, lets make a man out of you
Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you
You command, you command, you command and I do Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you
Make a man, make a man, make a man out of you