Artist Interview: Victoria-205
In this exclusive sit-down, we talk with the evocative independent artist Victoria-205. Based in Corning, NY, Victoria has been carving out a unique space in the alternative scene with her blend of poetic lyricism and genre-defying sounds. Following the release of her latest single "STARGAZING," she opens up about the struggles of burnout, the deeply personal meaning behind her name, and her mission to create music that serves as a lifeline for her listeners.
Tori: Your latest single, "STARGAZING," dropped on October 31, 2025. Can you share the story or core inspiration behind that track and what its title means to you?
Victoria: Of course! While this song is rather upbeat, it comes from a place that’s a little more bleak and stems from burnout and sadness. The idea behind it is watching your life change and slip away while you want so much more out of it and having no idea what to do.
Tori: Who are some of the artists or poets that most heavily influence your unique style?
Victoria: This song is definitely a change in style for me! While my previous songs usually were inspired by early 2000s alternative bands, this one was more in tune with Lady Gaga, Daft Punk, and of all things, The Bee Gees. I also loosely reference Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Masque of Red Death” in the second verse.
Tori: As an independent artist, what was the most challenging and the most rewarding part of producing and releasing your full-length album?
Victoria: The challenge of being a modern indie artist—especially one with a full time job—is how many things you have to juggle on such a limited budget. And then you have to be good at social media as well, which is entirely new to me. But the reward? Putting something out that I put so much love into. My full length album was something that I’d been working on for years and while I think it’s due for a remaster, I’m proud of it and the story it tells.
Tori: If you had to describe the overall sound of your full-length album in just three words, what would they be?
Victoria: Past, not present. It’s a retelling of my life so far but that doesn’t mean my future has to look the same.
Tori: With 1012 All Time Streams, what do you think resonates most with listeners about your music?
Victoria: I’d hope it would be the stories I tell with the more serious songs. That was my main goal when I started creating, which was to make music that connected with people.
Tori: Could you walk us through your typical creative process—does the music, the melody, or the poetic lyricism come first?
Victoria: I wish I could sit here and say it was all planned and everything came together in some sort of formula… but I am a bad liar. It’s usually whatever makes sense first or whatever comes to mind at the most random time. And then the scramble of getting it written down before I completely forget it! Then I just put things together like a puzzle and hope it looks cohesive after all the edits.
Tori: Is there a story or personal meaning behind the number '205'?
Victoria: That was one of my old house numbers, but specifically the house where my life changed entirely.
Tori: How does being based in Corning, NY influence your music, if at all? Do you find the location sparks specific ideas or moods in your writing?
Victoria: I honestly haven’t lived here long enough to say if it does or not. I’ve moved a lot in my life and think a lot of inspiration comes from when I lived down south or just the hectic moves and changing lives in just the blink of an eye.
Tori: What steps do you take to ensure your work stands out from the crowded field of independent music?
Victoria: I don’t want to make music that just goes viral on social media or something that can just be used as a sound before being forgotten, I want to make something that I know I put my whole heart into. I think art has been dwindled down in some cases to whatever gets popular on platforms like TikTok and I feel like that takes out the passion or originality behind it. By all means, create art! It’s better than not creating anything. But make something you know you love even if it doesn’t blow up immediately.
Tori: What are some specific ways you've used your music or social media to achieve your goal of inspiring others?
Victoria: Talking about deep topics or specific experiences, but keeping it vague enough so others can weave their stories in the words too.
Tori: How do you balance being an artist who is focused on "poetic lyricism" with the fast-paced, visual demands of social media platforms?
Victoria: Social media is something I’m looking to improve on but I’m not too worried about. If I have 10 people that really connect and enjoy my craft, then I feel like I have succeeded but if I have more, then I’m happy with that too. I don’t want my name in lights, I just care about the music itself and how other people can perceive or relate to it.
Tori: What advice would you give to another aspiring artist who is also trying to navigate the music industry as a self-made independent creator?
Victoria: Don’t expect to blow up overnight and have your song on the radio immediately. With the music industry in a place like never before, it’s harder now and I say that as someone with only a few listeners. Don’t let that discourage you though, if you love what you make, all will fall into place.
Tori: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or passed, to create a track that inspires self-expression, who would it be and why?
Victoria: Easily Lady Gaga. Her dedication to her craft and advocacy for others is truly inspiring and I’m here for it!
Tori: Looking ahead, what is the next major milestone you're striving for, creatively or commercially? Are there plans for a performance or a follow-up album?
Victoria: I hope for a new album in 2026 and a remaster of The Haunting soon enough! Either that, or just finding more people to share my music with.
Tori: If a fan only takes one message away from listening to your entire body of work, what do you hope that message is?
Victoria: I hope everyone who listens to my music knows that you can’t give up even when you’re struggling or enduring such horrible things like I and so many others have. I want people to know that they are seen and it’s okay to be different because it’s all part of their story in the end. Everyone is welcome and appreciated here and I am so very thankful to everyone who has been there since day one, just followed, and to everyone else in the future!
Stream Victoria-205 here!
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