Vacancy – “I feel like some of the best art is created when we are in crisis”

Pittsburgh-based ambient electronic artist Dustin Stuppy has been crafting musical landscapes big and small under the name Vacancy since 2011. His recently released full-length album, “The End Is Also The Beginning”, serves as a welcome change of scenery for these chaotic times. A mix of moods and textures, the album is a collection of instrumental motifs that draw from minimalist classical composition and rewards close listening.

We talked to Dustin about his self-imposed challenge that led to the creation of a full-length album, as well as where he’s been finding inspiration and peace during the quarantine.

Your new album is great! Can you tell me a little about its creation?

Last year I set a goal to write and release one song a month. When I finished the year I had 12 songs ready but I wanted to give them a little more experimentation, so I took a few more months to produce them and then do the mixing. Up until this album I had only recorded 3-5 song EPs, so it was cool to do a project with more length – I felt like there was room to show some of the different types of songs I like to create. I’ve realized that having a deadline is really good for me, even if it’s self-imposed…otherwise I have a tendency to overwork ideas. 

This is a crazy time for artists and performers everywhere. How has the pandemic affected you?

I’ve been working from home for the past couple of years, so it hasn’t impacted me a lot in terms of work. It’s more about the social changes, not being able to see friends or family, trying to overcome feelings of isolation, and then of course not being able to do so many of the things I love to do – going to shows, making music with other people in the same room, going to movies.

 What have you been doing during the quarantine?

I’ve been finishing up a lot of creative projects that have been lingering around for awhile. I just finished a new album that I’ve been working on for over a year. I’ve been going through old photos and trying to edit them in new ways. Gardening has been amazing too – starting seeds inside and watching them sprout. It feels really nice to channel energy into something that is all about growth and new life. 

People are turning to music like never before to find meaning and connection during these times. What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

I feel like some of the best art is created when we are in crisis. It’s hard to create when it’s always blue skies, at least for me, so hopefully we’ll see a blossom of beautiful art that will help to contrast a lot of the pain the world is feeling. Writing music and listening to music has been a very helpful outlet for me. Especially in the evenings, I put on a lot of slow, meditative instrumental music and it lowers my heart rate and helps me sleep.

What is some of your favorite music to listen to?

I really love all kinds of music, from classical to jazz to electronic. I try to see the Pittsburgh Symphony at least 3-4 times a year. I love film scores and really enjoyed the soundtrack to Midsommar. A few albums that have been in heavy circulation though: Playing Piano for Dad by h hunt, Music for Nine Postcards by Hiroshi Yoshimura, and 5 Star Motel by Gitkin.

How can we support your music?

You can purchase my albums on Bandcamp, stream my music on Spotify, or follow me on Spotify or Instagram.

Any upcoming projects that you’re working on?

I’m working on two more projects that I’m hoping to wrap up this year. The first is an album of classical songs that are going to be revisited in a modern style. I’m still thinking of the songs so if you have any classical favorites and would like to suggest them, send them my way. And then I’m also working on a set of super minimal ambient tracks for a small EP.  I end up using a lot of layers in a lot of my songs and I want a project where I’m challenged to use only one or two instruments per song, and then just a lot of field recordings and small textures.