Poetic Indie-Pop Artist Victoria Staff Lives in the Moment on Sophomore EP I Wake Up Smiling 🙁
Born and raised in Toronto, Victoria Staff was always an “anxious child.” The string that connected much of her young life was using music to communicate with family, friends, teachers, and even therapists. Over time, this coping mechanism developed into a passion for music that would lead to her career as an indie-pop artist. Staff continues to use the written word to communicate with her audience. Her debut EP, Records & Honesty, was released in 2023 under the guidance of Canadian music producer Dan Hosh.
Sophomore EP, I Wake Up Smiling 🙁, is about living in the fact that sometimes you’ll be happy, and some days you won’t and that’s okay. Happiness is super elusive, and that’s what Staff is constantly reminded of as she gets older. There are days where she actually does wake up smiling, but there are many, many, MANY days where she doesn’t. Sometimes it can feel like you’re chasing down happiness but it’s always faster. Like you’re always behind and can’t catch it but it’s about just giving it your best shot.
I Wake Up Smiling 🙁 features highlighted single, “My Whole Life Long,” the first song Staff has recorded that isn’t sad. Instead of being a cathartic outlet, “My Whole Life Long” is about finding the correct words and finding a way to communicate with someone when you’re lost for words. So many relationships are one-sided, but “My Whole Life Long” tells a story where both people were in it together as equals.