Pictoria Vark's forthcoming sophomore album, ‘Nothing Sticks,’ showcases the artist's strengthened identity. Driven by vibrant instrumentals and a core of transformation, this project signifies a new chapter of acceptance and musical skill for Vark.
Stream: “San Diego” – Pictoria Vark
Nothing sticks. Nothing. Sticks. To contemplate these two words is to grasp the essence of life itself: ephemeral and transient. Together, they serve as a reminder of mortality, indicating that we are ticking time bombs awaiting a definitive end. Nonetheless, despite that inescapable day when all may collapse, we strive to live fully.
Recently, Pictoria Vark (also known as Victoria Park) has sought some permanence; a firm ground to stand on, albeit briefly. Yet, between nearly continuous touring and sporadic deep self-reflections, the only 'constant' she has encountered is emotional upheaval.
Set to release on March 21 via Get Better Records, Vark’s new album, Nothing Sticks, serves as a means for her to embrace the inevitability of change. However, this acceptance is significantly easier said than done.
Nothing Sticks – Pictoria Vark
Transitions often bring along a myriad of complex feelings. When change escalates to a breaking point, it unleashes overwhelming emotions that transform once-familiar environments into the unfamiliar.
How do we rekindle and recover what has been lost in a constantly evolving life?
“It’s disheartening and frightening when things come to an end,” Vark acknowledges. “Especially when these are things you enjoy or cherish… I’ve always wanted the good things to endure indefinitely; they feel worthy only if they can last as long as possible.”
Returning to daily life after over 150 days on tour, left with only her memories and experiences, proved challenging for Vark. She had spent so much time embodying 'Pictoria Vark' that reverting to the everyday existence of Victoria Park felt entirely foreign.
To navigate the substantial shifts in her life, Vark threw herself into creating Nothing Sticks. While the album was birthed from many hours of contemplation, it equally serves to ground her amidst existential musings.
“Letting go of anything — whether it is a broken relationship, a friendship that no longer aligns, or a job that doesn’t bring joy — creates space for new opportunities that do fit,” asserts Vark. “I strive to shift from a mindset of ‘what if I can’t replace this with something that good’ to ‘if I let go, I might find something even better.’”
Pictoria Vark © Aleiagh Hynds
Nothing Sticks embodies a lesson in accepting life as it comes; adapting to the ups and downs.
Consider it a manual for staying relaxed amidst life’s persistent challenges.
The process of creating Nothing Sticks mirrors the record's central message. Having traveled from Chicago to Big Nice Studios in Rhode Island with strict time constraints, Vark and her producers recognized the value of focused creativity over perfecting every detail.
“A record should represent a moment in time, rather than an unattainable ideal,” she states. “I believe that finished work holds more value than perfect work.”
Throughout Nothing Sticks, Vark aspires to write herself into the person she envisions. Across ten tracks, she reflects on the life she has fashioned for herself, deciding what memories she will cherish and what she must release. With countless hours spent ruminating on the past, the project serves as a firm grounding in the present.
“Being a creative individual gives you the power to shape your own reality,” Vark explains. “I’m not always the most positive or grounded person in my life. Through writing, I endeavor to reshape the narrative into the more optimistic person I strive to be.”
The one unwavering aspect of Vark remains her dedication to music.
“I cannot envisage being anyone else if I weren’t a musician,” she insists.
Pictoria Vark © Aleiagh Hynds
Although Vark's journey through her career has varied — being a bassist, guitarist, educator, band member, and A&R rep — her fundamental connection to music has stayed intact. Her lifeline interweaves seamlessly with creation; the bass represents her heartbeat while her music articulates her spirit.
“I’m not reluctantly pursuing music; it’s my essence. I cannot alter or deny it,” she reveals. “It will always be ingrained in who I am and how I navigate the world.”
Nothing Sticks is designed for listeners to deeply engage with; it serves as a tool for processing and reconciling life as we live it. Life may be temporary, but perhaps that very transience is what renders it so precious. It’s true — nothing sticks — but rather than allowing fear of future changes to immobilize us, Pictoria Vark’s stunning sophomore album urges us to embrace life as it comes and relish the moments we have.
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Pictoria Vark's forthcoming second album, 'Nothing Sticks,' is characterized by the artist's strengthened sense of identity. Fueled by pulsating instrumentals and a driving spirit of transformation, this project signals a new chapter of acceptance and musical skill for Vark.