Bryce Vine: The Man Behind the Music

Photography by Micala Austin

Bryce Vine has carved out a unique space in the music world with his seamless blend of pop, punk, ska, and hip-hop. Known for hits like “Drew Barrymore” and “La La Land,” plus electrifying live performances, he’s constantly pushing creative boundaries and surprising his fans. With his forthcoming album Let’s Do Something Stupid! and a North American tour kicking off soon, Vine is embracing his pop-punk roots and collaborating with legends like Tony Hawk and Goldfinger. We recently sat down with Bryce to discuss the making of his bold new outing, his musical journey, and what’s next for this dynamic artist. 

Q: Let’s hop into this project, LET’S DO SOMETHING STUPID! — how did this particular track come to fruition? 

That’s the album name, not a track, but it came from when John Feldman and I decided to start this rock project together. I knew some people would find it random as hell if they don’t know my background in rock, and Feldman said, “fuck it…let’s do something stupid!” 

Q: What particular string of events actually led to your current signing to / with Big Noise Music Group? 

Turns out Feldman and I have great studio chemistry. His “go go go” energy challenged my songwriter brain not to overthink too much. We spent weeks slamming iced coffees and writing songs as quickly as possible. Then life changes made us set the project aside for a bit. Top of 2025, someone at Big Noise hears the song “Catalyst” and flips out. I got a call while on tour promoting my album Motel California. Suddenly a punk album is next! 

Q: As a lyricist, where do you draw inspiration from? 

I'm a pretty avid reader, and I get a lot of creative motivation from the focus that reading offers my ADD brain. I really try to make songs that I want to represent a moment that matters to me. An emotional tattoo. My friends know I don't like to let moments disappear. I’ve kept a list on my phone for almost 17 years, it’s called “funny things.” And, that’s what it is. Every stand-out witty comment I've ever heard. I have a list for the most beautiful book quotes, travel journals, novel ideas; I have a list for everything, haha! But if you are a writer, you always have to be writing.   

Photography by Micala Austin

Q: Tell me about your musical beginnings. When did this journey start for you? 

I was diagnosed with ADHD and depression before I was 13.  It made life especially difficult to navigate adolescence, medicated that young, but music made me feel alive and energetic. My mom got me a guitar for my b-day, and I started writing instantly. I started a pop-punk band in high school, and wrote songs in class instead of doing work too often. I definitely did not graduate at the top of my class, but playing live with my band made me so happy. We dreamed of playing (Vans) Warped Tour. Music always seemed to guide me in a positive direction, so when I got a scholarship to Berklee College of Music it was like ‘oh, snap, this is real now!’ My whole career has been 2 giant steps forward, then 3 smaller steps back. It’s an endurance game more than anything. The wave goes up and down, it's really just about how well you can surf.   

Q: Growing up on both the East and West Coast(s), who were some of your biggest influences? 

Tupac, Nas and OutKast were big rap influences. TLC, Musiq Soulchild and Blackstreet for R&B. The Beatles, Death Cab (for Cutie) and Third Eye Blind for songwriting. Gorillaz for experimental genre bending. blink-182 and Rancid for rock. It’s all over the place, haha! 

Q: How do you define your style? 

I just try to make songs that I want to hear that don’t exist.  Soundtrack songs for different moments of life. I’m not in love with the idea of making the same song twice, so it’s just whatever is stimulating me at the time. 

Q: What do you hope people take away from your music? 

Fans tell me a lot that they attach specific songs to important moments in their own lives, and it makes them feel better. That’s what music has always been for me, so it lets me know that it’s affecting people the right way. There’s nothing more fulfilling.   

Q: Dream collaboration — who would it be? 

Steve Lacy, Dominic Fike, Cameron Whitcomb, Post Malone, Gorillaz. 

Q: If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be? 

Madison Square Garden. 

Q: How do you feel about the current state of music? 

I love that genre is all over the place. And, world and life struggles produce the best artistry. I just hate that greed and technological changes make it so hard for good artists to survive.   

Q: What’s the key to your longevity? 

Endurance. I’ve never been money hungry or frivolous. I try to live how everyday people live and appreciate moments that matter; life is short. It’s very easy to be distracted and overwhelmed by the weight of the world. I have to find joy and capture them in song. I don’t always succeed. 

Q: Beyond music, what else, if anything, do you want to do? 

If someone will pay me to travel the world and meet people on a human level and eat and shed light on the beautiful things about humanity and its history I will take a pay cut. I also have a novel I’ve been working on and a travel journal for ADD people like me.   

Q: Biggest career moments thus far? 

Flying my mom out for a sold out crowd in New York and having the audience turn and clap for her unprompted was a beautiful thing to witness. Also, when my team surprised me with my first platinum plaque. Reconnecting my parents backstage at Jimmy Kimmel. There have been so many beautiful things.   

Q: What’s an average day like for you? 

It usually starts with yoga or a vigorous workout ‘cause I need it more mentally than anything. Today, I am going to the MoMA museum in New York and dinner with friends and then a comedy show. 

Q: How do you interact with your fans? 

I just let them know I’m accessible and trying my best to be a decent human and I have them in mind when I write something that could help them get through whatever they are struggling with. I don’t rush meet and greets. How could I? It means so much to them and is humbling.   

Q: Favorite and least favorite parts of this work? 

I’m not big on social media. I’ve tried to find joy in it. I just wish there was a goal post. Like if I do enough posting for a year I can stop forever. But, it doesn’t work like that.   

Q: What advice would you give to someone following in your footsteps? 

You have to have hobbies and things that bring you joy aside from music or you will possibly create a vacuum of internal pressure that’s hard to undo. You have to write from uncomfortable places and try to suppress ego. Also, on a practical level it doesn’t hurt to produce yourself and read books.   

Q: Five to ten years from now, where do you see yourself? 

Alive and well. 

Q: What’s next for you, BRYCE? 

Already working on the next project that I’m producing a lot of myself with the help of a few closer creative friends. 

Q: Any parting words for our readers? 

Thanks for being curious.

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