VANNGO unleashes "Rearview Flames" and connects with us to dive into his powerful new release
- STAFF
- Aug 20, 2025
- 7 min read
By: Staff
"Rearview Flames" ignites with raw, soul-stirring energy, capturing VANNGO’s magnetic artistry at its peak.
VANNGO’s latest release, "Rearview Flames," is more than just a song; it’s a journey. A track that effortlessly blends Americana, folk, and country-rock swagger, it invites you to feel the open road, the weight of the past, and the unspoken freedom that comes with leaving it all behind. With the raw, soulful wail of a harmonica and a laid-back rhythm, the track captures the feeling of driving into the unknown, singing louder, and leaving your worries in the dust.
We spoke with the Los Angeles-based artist behind this mesmerizing new release to explore the vision and stories behind the music. What led him to realize the true power of his voice, and how did he evolve from a deeply personal expression to a tool for sharing his story with the world? As he opens up about his creative process, we dive into the emotional complexity of "Rearview Flames" and what it’s like to express vulnerability in a world quick to judge.
So, buckle up and read on to hear how this artist’s journey is just getting started.
Begin Interview:
Hello VANNGO, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved “Rearview Flames.” We thought the opening presentation with the harmonica being so central gives it such an incredible texture and show-stopping moment. Additionally, your decision to pull the music back ever so slightly and have your vocals take center stage was a terrific production choice in our opinion. We have been fans of your tremendous commanding and powerful vocals for some time now, but one thing we don’t know is, when did you first realize the power of your voice, and what moment in your life transformed it from a personal, intimate expression to a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the impactful career we see today?
A: Thank you for the kind words. I’ve always had a deep love for music, especially the harmonica. For me, words and communication have always felt like the key to life. For years, I carried songs and ideas inside me, but I wasn’t in the right space and didn’t yet have the outlet to bring them into the world. Now, with the ability to record, produce, and share music more independently than ever, I finally felt it was time to tap into that creative side of myself and release what had been waiting inside me for so long.
Q. Are there any lyrics in this track that hit especially hard for you, or sum up the heart of the message you wanted to share?
A: “Saw that flame in my rearview mirror, thought of nights that I hold dear.” That line really captures the heart of Rearview Flames for me. It’s about honoring what’s behind you, while recognizing that you can’t go back. You can only move forward.
Q. "Rearview Flames" paints a vivid image of the open road and leaving the past behind. Is there a specific moment or experience in your life that inspired this song's theme, or did it come more from a sense of universal freedom?
A: Rearview Flames wasn’t written about one single moment, but more a collection of times where I had to leave something behind in order to move forward. There’s always that pull of the past, whether it’s people, situations, or even a version of yourself you’ve outgrown.
But for me the heart of this song is about what happens after you let go. There’s a freedom in it, and even an excitement. That image of the open road isn’t just about escape, it’s about possibility.
When I write, I always want to draw from my own life experiences, but also in a way that people can connect with their own. We’ve all had moments where something in the rearview feels heavy, but the road ahead feels wide open. That’s what I wanted this song to capture: honoring where you’ve been while knowing that every mile forward is a chance to create something new.
Q. The song feels very raw and unpolished in the best way. How important is that sense of imperfection in your music, and does it mirror your own approach to creating art?
A: Honestly, I don’t think about it. I’m not chasing perfect, polished or unpolished. I just want it to be real. However, it comes out, that’s the win. If it’s messy, if it’s cracked, if it’s rough, good. That’s life, that’s me, and that’s the art.
Q. Can you tell us your full musical journey? Is this particular musical genre styling something you’ve always embraced from the very beginning of your journey, or has it evolved over time from influences or other genres you experimented with earlier?
A: It’s definitely not about fitting into a box. I’ve always been drawn to every genre of music. I love it all. I never sat down and said, this is the genre I want to write in. I just write, play, and sing what feels true in the moment. Sometimes genres may be blending in a song, or even shifting from song to song, but it’s always honest. I don’t really care. I’m just having fun, and if people connect with it, that’s cool.
Q. "Rearview Flames" has a nostalgic quality to it. Was there ever a point in your own life when you were driving with no particular destination, just letting the miles pass by? How does that experience show up in your music?
A: That’s exactly what happened with this song. I was driving from LA to Palm Springs for a weekend away, and the idea just popped into my head on the road. It felt like one of those moments people could relate to, just driving on an open road from the city to the desert thinking about life. I sat down that weekend, wrote it out, and by the time I got back, I was ready to record it.
Q. The industry always seems to have its way with putting pressure on artists. You mentioned the idea of facing the future by “keeping moving.” In your own journey as an artist in this musical universe, what does moving forward look like for you in a musical or personal sense right now?
A: I don’t feel pressure. What matters to me is making something real in the moment. If it comes out raw, polished, stripped down, loud, or soft, it doesn’t matter. I’m just going to keep creating and let the music live on its own.
Q. The track has an almost immediate “live jam” energy. Do you often write songs with the intention of how they’ll be performed in a live setting, or is the structure something that develops organically later?
A: I felt inspired and joyful when I was writing and wanted to convey that in the moment. I honestly don’t think about structure or performance when I am writing. I just try and feel and express. If it feels loose and alive, that’s what it is. If it something different like somber or heavy same.
Q. Since “Rearview Flames” speaks to a lot of emotional complexity, does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment- and judgment-driven world, or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A: I don’t find it difficult. It’s actually an amazing release. People are always going to have opinions, but I’m not creating for that. For me, it’s just about being straight up and letting the song say what it needs to say. That’s what feels freeing.
Q. Is there something specific you want your listeners to feel when they listen to "Rearview Flames"? Is it more about them connecting with their own personal experiences or finding something new in the song each time they hear it?
A: For me, the magic of music is that it lands differently for everyone, depending on where they are in their own journey. The same song can hit you one way today and completely differently the next time you listen to it. It can change right along with you or not.
If somebody listens and feels inspired, hopeful, excited, or even just cracks a smile, that’s cool. If it connects to a personal memory or carries them through a tough moment, that’s equally powerful.
At the same time, I’d love for the song to carry a sense of energy and momentum, something that makes people feel like they’re moving forward with possibility ahead of them. But whether it’s hope, fun, reflection, or their own unique interpretation, I love how songs are like mirror. I just wrote it and delivered it with as much honesty as I could. After that, it belongs to the listener, and whatever they feel is exactly right.
Q. We’d love to dive deeper into the story behind your artist name, VANNGO. Now that we’ve had a chance to experience your music, it’s clear that your fans will be equally curious about the meaning behind the name that accompanies your sound. How does VANNGO connect to the music you create, what significance does it hold for you personally, and what is the origin or backstory behind the name?
A: It’s really pretty simple. VANN is my last name, and back in high school all my friends just started calling me ‘VANNGO.’ I have always appreciated art and van Gogh the artist, I found to be raw and fearless in his art and life, so I ran with it. It also reminds me of where I came from.
Q. And finally, what’s next? VANNGO, we can't thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A: Thank you so much, it’s been fun! I am going to keep writing and releasing a new single every month and then maybe an EP. I am super pumped about the next one called Tears Fall Like the Rain coming out in September. This song means a lot to me personally and I think most people will be able to relate to. It’s another acoustic but I also had an amazing violinist join the production.
VANNGO, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared VANNGO’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
