Artist Glimpse - Vilivant
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In conversation with Vilivant, a Canadian hard rock/alternative singer-songwriter, who has made significant strides in the music industry with her energetic performances and compelling songwriting. Her music often delves into themes of moving forward, self-discovery, and eliminating toxic elements from one's life.
Rob Aguiar: Vilivant, you’ve been part of my Glimpse journey for a while now and I’m excited to connect with you again to pick your brain a bit about your song writing processes, the vulnerabilities you bring to your lyrics and your journey as a whole.
Vilivant: Hell yes! Thank you so much for having me again. I am excited to talk about songwriting and my musical process!
“I want the audience to be fully locked in—because let’s be real, nothing kills the vibe like someone texting through your set.”
RA: With a diverse range of influences, from Led Zeppelin to 90s grunge to modern rock, how do you blend these styles to create your unique sound?
V: I listen to a wide range of genres—everything from Hall & Oates to System of a Down. I love pulling techniques from different styles and blending them into my own sound. My goal is to create something fresh, but still rooted in the classic influences I grew up on. Listening to all kinds of music constantly sparks new ideas and pushes me to evolve creatively.
Photo credit: JEFF HURD
RA: If you’ve been following along with this interview series, you know that I’m a sucker for vulnerable lyrics. I believe that there is a great deal of strength in one’s expression of vulnerability. In your ballad, Valleys, there’s a sense of both fragility and resilience. Can you walk us through the emotions you were experiencing when writing this track and what message you hope listeners take away?
V: When I wrote Valleys, I was in a place where I felt completely drained—emotionally, mentally, creatively. It’s about those low moments where everything feels heavy, but you keep going anyway. There’s this quiet strength in admitting you’re not okay, and I wanted to capture that. The song is fragile in its honesty but resilient in its core message: even in your lowest moments, you’re still moving forward. I hope listeners hear it and feel less alone in their own valleys—that it’s okay to break down, as long as you don’t give up.
RA - Is it safe to say that Valleys resonates with you as a human and artist in search of self-discovery? Would you mind performing it acoustically for us today?
V: I’m excited to share something close to my heart. When it comes to a song that reflects my own journey of self-discovery, Valleys is the one that hits the deepest. It’s raw, honest, and came from a place where I was really trying to make sense of everything—my purpose, my path, my worth. So I’d love to perform Valleys acoustically for you today.
RA: You have shared the stage with artists like Lee Aaron, Finger Eleven, Wide Mouth Mason, and Big Wreck. More recently you had the opportunity to tour across Canada with Matthew Good! How have these experiences impacted your performance style and live renditions of your music?
V: First off, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had so far. Getting to open for established acts—and even tour with one—really opened my eyes to the level of dedication and grind it takes to deliver a great show. I’ve learned so much from bands like Finger Eleven, especially when it comes to live performance. They bring intensity and passion every single night, and it’s contagious. That kind of energy is something I strive to channel every time I step on stage. I want the audience to be fully locked in—because let’s be real, nothing kills the vibe like someone texting through your set.
RA: Let’s shift gears and talk about stagnant creativity. When facing creative blocks, what strategies do you employ to reignite your inspiration and continue producing content and/or content to promote your journey?
“I also find revisiting older demos or unfinished ideas helps spark something new. And honestly, being around other creatives—whether in conversation or collaboration—always reignites that fire”
V: Creative blocks happen to everyone, but I’ve learned not to force it. When I’m feeling stuck, I’ll step away from music entirely—go for a walk, watch a film, journal, or even just listen to music outside my usual genre. Sometimes inspiration strikes when you stop chasing it. I also find revisiting older demos or unfinished ideas helps spark something new. And honestly, being around other creatives—whether in conversation or collaboration—always reignites that fire. It reminds me why I started this journey in the first place. When it comes to creating fun, witty content for social media—I like to take inspirations from my favourite movies and try to replicate the cheesy effects they hold. I love dabbling in sfx in my spare time, Lol!
RA: What can the world expect from Vilivant in 2025?
V: Lots of things are happening that I can’t say much about right now, but I can assure you that fans won’t know what hit them when I release music again!
RA: Vilivant, ever since I first heard your voice on an online edition of Rock The Colosseum during the pandemic, I’ve been calling you a real deal rockstar! Thanks for being a special part of the Glimpse family and thanks for being here today.
V: Absolutely, Rob! Thank you so much for having me once again :)
