Venice Qin is back with a bang! Her electrifying new single ‘Rodeo Star’ is a vibrant blend of fun, sass, and empowerment, complete with a super fun official video shot at the 41st Rocky Mountain Regional Gay Rodeo. This infectious track celebrates confidence, self-expression, and the joy of living authentically.
We caught up with Venice to chat about her musical journey, the inspiration behind ‘Rodeo Star’, and what's next on the horizon for this rising star.
It’s so great to be able to catch up with you, thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions. Let’s dig right into things, when did you first start making music?
“When I was a baby I used to sing (scream) absolute nonsense before I could even talk. But I started taking singing and piano lessons when I was six years old. Then I picked up guitar at ten years old, and bassoon at thirteen. It's been an evolving life process.”
What inspired you to start your journey into music?
“Honestly? High School Musical. HA! I loved the music in those movies so much that I competed in my primary school singing competition, singing ‘When There Was Me and You’, and somehow won. I was a really shy kid, yet I was never afraid to sing or perform. It gave me a sense of confidence, which I desperately needed, and that's what started my journey.”
Are there any influences that help define your music?
“Visual arts play a massive role in influencing my music, whether that's a print, painting, fashion or dance. In fact, around the time that we made ‘Rodeo Star’ I was super obsessed with a video I had filmed of my dance teacher Rina Chae, waacking to "The Boss" by Diana Ross. I promise this wasn't creepy, but I adored the energy, passion and life that exuded from her movements, and was so inspired to create music that makes people want to move like that.”
“In terms of musical influences, I'm all over the place. But I'm super into 90's pop, and the modern icons like Lady Gaga, Caroline Polachek, Chappell Roan, and Christine and the Queens.”
The new single is absolutely stunning, and we’ve been loving the video. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
“From the get-go, ‘Rodeo Star’ was designed to be the most outrageous song that you could dance to at a club or party - while getting all those sexy lady power feels! But.... The song took on a whole new dimension when we were still recording the track and I was in the studio with my manager and producer -- and after some pretty camp chats we wanted to see if a 'Gay Rodeo' actually existed? Cause how amazing if gay Cowboys/girls/people are a thing.... and they ARE!”
“We reached out to the CGRA (Colorado Gay Rodeo Association) and they gave us the opportunity of a lifetime to capture their incredible gay rodeo community in Denver, CO for the music video. We were able to spend a magical glittery week in Denver, getting to know the vibrant and tight-knit LGBTQ+ community over there. Since then, both the song and the video have become a celebration of their community. WHICH I AM OBSESSED WITH!”
What was your songwriting process? How did it all come together?
“I was super inspired by a sample that Ben Malone (the producer for the single) showed me, which ended up being the banjo part in the final version. We started off making an entirely different song (about boxing, lol), which we ended up scrapping because it just didn't feel right. The next day, we stripped everything down and began writing again with my creative partner/manager Benn Jae and Ben Malone in what became ‘Rodeo Star’. We actually wrote this song from end to end in a couple of hours. It was crazy!”
“There's a bratty, cheeky, electric confidence that exudes throughout the whole song, and by the time we hit the chorus, I think that we all knew that this was something special.”
What’s the most important thing for you when you’re writing a song?
“For me, it's most important that I can feel the song in my body, in my bones. That is not to say that the speakers and the floors need to be vibrating with me, haha. I find that real authentic sound has an energy that just ripples through my body, and I'm constantly on a search to find and create more of that. In terms of my music, I can always sense pretty early on whether a song feels right or not.”
How would you describe your sound, particularly with the new single?
“Main-character avant-pop. I like to think that my music reminds people that we are all the centre of our own universe!”
What’s next for you as an artist?
“NO SPOILERS! Y'all will have to follow up and see...... promise it's sexy, simple, cool. <3”
Do you have anything you would like to say to our audience?
“This is for all my queer fan base. I love you, thank you for lifting me up, I am forever grateful for you're amazing support! STREAM ‘RODEO STAR’ ;) and go check out and support gay rodeo! It'll be the time of your life.”
With the new single, Venice Qin is just getting started, and we can't wait to see what she does next. With her infectious energy, undeniable talent, and commitment to authenticity, Venice is definitely one to watch in the pop music scene. Be sure to check out ‘Rodeo Star’ and keep an eye out for what this exciting artist has in store for the future!
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