Vanessa Tottle
In her third interview with The Interviewist, Vanessa Tottle discusses her powerful new single “Split Decision,” transforming heartbreak and betrayal into dark, atmospheric music driven by resilience, fierce determination, and self-belief.
1. Your new single, “Split Decision,” was born out of betrayal, heartbreak, and a powerful sense of resilience. Can you tell us about the personal experience that inspired the song and how you transformed those intense emotions into music?
It was born from a lot of things that’s happened to me over the past year and a half – sometimes it just all bubbles up and as a song writer you feel it and all of a sudden the line “you will know my name” came into my head. I thought about all the “Split Decision” moments I’ve had to make recently and I just kept writing, the beat came through as heavy and dark – I’d just had new synth packs downloaded and I thought – let’s see and I finished writing and finished producing the song in one day!
2.“Split Decision” explores that crucial moment when you must choose between standing your ground and walking away. What does this dilemma mean to you personally, and what message do you hope listeners will take away from the song?
Life really knocks us all from the to time and I hope that listeners will take from this song the strength it was written with. We are always overcome with what we find out from people, how they see us, not finding out what we are capable of, so show them the best way you know – let them hear you roar!!
3. The track combines the hypnotic atmosphere of 1990s trip-hop with modern darkwave elements, featuring brooding basslines and sharp, atmospheric synths. What drew you to this particular sonic direction, and which artists or musical influences helped shape its sound?
It was the synth bass pull of being fierce – whilst remaining elegant – not loosing your cool but still holding your ground. A hint of Lady Gaga passion wasn’t too far from my mind! Grit and determination!
4. You wrote and produced “Split Decision” entirely at your home studio, June Baby Studios. Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial idea to the finished recording, and explain how you approached the song’s powerful vocal performance?
With this song I wrote first, music followed and I knew I needed to roar, but it wasn’t till I was in studio with Ben that I said to him I need to say “you will know my name” and I’m gonna blow the mic away! It was emotionally charged as normally I have space between singing the vocals, I’m able to sit with the song for a while but this was recorded 4 days after I had written and produced the music. Real live wire stuff – which is one of the lines in the song.
5. The single features striking cover photography by fellow artist VÏKAE, while Ben at Lonely Hawk Recording Studio handled the final mastering. How did these collaborations contribute to the overall identity of “Split Decision,” both visually and sonically?
Vikae and I were on location at an unrelated photo shoot and the artwork I used for this single was one that she took, once we took a look at the photos, we saw a strong woman standing by a closed door – with the light coming through underneath. This shoot was weeks and weeks before the song was written so when I was thinking of artwork I recalled this series of photos and ironically realised Vikae had captured the song in those moments and it became the single cover! Ben, my sound engineer is always so good to me and allows me to run with my creative thoughts and emotions! Most of the time my songs are very emotionally charged – this was different as it was still raw. No time to simmer so he had great control processes for keeping me to tasks to harness what we needed.
6. We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing you twice before on The Interviewist, and it’s wonderful to welcome you back! As a fully independent artist managing your own creative journey, what have been the biggest lessons and challenges along the way, and what can listeners expect from Vanessa Tottle next?
Yes, thank you for wanting to feature my music for a 3rd time, I’m so pleased to be back speaking with you. My biggest lesson which I’d like to pass onto whoever is reading this, is to DO IT, loud, all of it and do it for YOU! Your followers will come; your listeners are there. Patience! And what’s next for me? More music coming – one to be released in Nov, followed by an instrumental track in December and I’m planning some great shows for 2027 but you are just going to have to wait for those announcements!