Spud Vincent's story is anything but ordinary. Born in Victoria and raised on the remote beauty of Flinders Island, smack bang in the middle of Bass Strait, he's a Navy veteran who's now stepping into the spotlight with his deeply personal music. His latest single, ‘Frustration’, isn't a recent creation; it was penned 22 years ago, amidst the heat and isolation of Christmas Island during a deployment.

It's a raw and honest reflection on the struggles of life and dealing with people, and it's just a taste of what's to come from his upcoming album, slated for release in 2025. With ‘Frustration’ now available on all streaming platforms, we sat down with Spud to explore his musical journey, the story behind the single, and what the future holds.

Great to chat with you today. You’ve had a fascinating journey into music, can you share a bit more about it?

“I started playing when I was 15 and it has continued to be a tool I have used to calm my mind. I was told growing up I couldn't sing but never deterred I stuck with it and have found my own voice. Music brings me joy and is a way of expressing my thoughts on how life can affect us all differently.”

Can you tell us a bit about the new single and what it means to you?

“I released this song first as it was one of the first three I wrote where it was written around a situation that made me feel. I wanted to get this out as I wrote it 22 years ago and the song still resonated with me today. Lyrically not my best song, but the fact I wrote it at 19 and it still stands the test of time to me meant it must be shared.”

Was there a particular moment or experience that influenced you when writing the single?

“It was written around the time I was deciding to leave the defence to spend my life with my now wife.”

You mention this song began 22 years ago. What was your songwriting process for the release? How did it all come together?

“I went to my friend Jacob Roads who would be my producer on this track. We worked together to turn this into something that made us proud to release it. I spent the next few weeks developing, filming and editing the music clip myself and held a small and intimate release get-together the week before the official release.”

How would you describe the sound of the single, and has it evolved since you started writing music?

“I have never seen myself as a country artist, but my music has become more alternative pop with a bit of country mixed in there as my natural sound.”

Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in the single? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?

“The song’s title ‘Frustration’ is as it suggests. The song demonstrates the frustrations life gives people and the hypocrisy we deal with every day. The artwork for the album was developed with a young Perth artist DelaneyMcAbe, she really captured the idea of a calm face and the frustration behind it. A very talented young artist and makes me proud to have that on the single cover on streaming services.”

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both musically and personally?

“Musically, I will just take it as it comes no expectations as we never know what the future will bring. But I aim to have my first album out by the end of the year or early 2026. As an artist in the next few years, I just want to be better at what I do and share it with more people.”

What's next after this release? Do you have any new releases or shows on the horizon?

“We have another new single release in the coming months, followed by my first album.”

What sort of reception have you had to your latest release? Are there any memorable moments that stand out?

“The pre-release party was a highlight and the messages I've had on how the song resonated with people and caught them in the feels. The song has hit a chord with them emotionally which is lovely to hear.”

Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with you and help support you?

“No expectations of your audience except that I hope they can give my song a listen and I hope it resonates with them as it has others. They can support me by listening to the single and following me to see what's coming next.”

His latest single, ‘Frustration’, holds a special place in Spud’s heart, a song written in his youth that still speaks to him today. Hiss music is about connection, about sharing experiences and emotions that resonate with people from all walks of life.

He hopes that listeners will find something in ‘Frustration’ that speaks to them and encourages them to follow his journey as he prepares for his album release. He's grateful for the support he's received so far and looks forward to sharing more of his music with the world.

For more from Spud, be sure to follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.