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March 18, 2016 - MUSIC WEEKLY
RISING STARS: Country-Pop Princess Tori Vega and Rock Rebel Jade West Dominate Charts By Emma Richardson, Senior Music Correspondent
In an industry constantly seeking the next big thing, two wildly different artists have captured the public’s imagination. Tori Vega, 22, with her honeyed vocals and earnest songwriting, has become the golden girl of country-pop following her sophomore album “Wildflower Season.” Meanwhile, Jade West, 21, the fierce frontwoman of The Assassins, has breathed new life into rock music with her raw talent and unapologetic attitude on their debut album “Die Trying.” Both women are redefining what it means to be a female artist in today’s music landscape, though in dramatically different ways.
“I pour my soul into every lyric, every melody,” Vega told us, sunlight catching in her chestnut hair as she leaned forward with that trademark warmth in her eyes. “When someone tells me my music got them through a breakup or helped them feel less alone—that’s everything to me.” The Nashville-by-way-of-Los Angeles singer has established herself as a formidable commercial force, with “Wildflower Season” selling over 750,000 copies in its first week.
West, interviewed separately for this feature in a dimly lit Brooklyn studio, took a markedly different approach to discussing her artistry: “I’m not here to sell some manufactured fairy tale or play dress-up for album covers,” she stated, arms crossed over a worn Misfits t-shirt. “The Assassins make music that bleeds truth, that challenges what people think they know about themselves and the world. If that makes some people uncomfortable, good.” Her band’s debut album has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following that industry veterans say hasn’t been seen in rock music for almost two decades.
Though the two have never met, they represent opposing forces in the current musical landscape—Vega’s sunlit vulnerability versus West’s unapologetic intensity. One thing’s certain: both women are here to stay.
Nashville, TN - Summit Records Office
Tori Vega sat perched on the edge of a sleek leather couch, her caramel-colored hair cascading over her shoulders in loose waves. She wore a cream-colored blouse tucked into high-waisted jeans—casual but polished, her signature style. Her eyes scanned the Music Weekly article for the third time, lingering on the photo spread that featured her on one page and Jade West on the facing page.
“Did you see what she said?” Tori asked her manager, jabbing a finger at Jade’s quote. “Manufactured fairy tale? Play dress-up? She’s clearly talking about me.”
Alyssa Vaughn was only two years older than Tori, but she was a sharp-featured woman, with a perpetually busy demeanor. She glanced up from her phone with a practiced sigh. “She didn’t mention you by name, Tori. Don’t give her that satisfaction.”
“But everyone’s going to think—”
“Everyone’s going to think exactly what we want them to think,” Alyssa interrupted, setting her phone down with a decisive click. “That you’re authentic, relatable, and wildly talented. Which you are.” She crossed the room in three quick strides of her designer heels. “Meanwhile, she’s just another angry rocker with a chip on her shoulder. This is great press for both of you—oil and water, fire and ice.”
Tori tossed the magazine onto the glass coffee table with more force than necessary. “She doesn’t even know me. What gives her the right to—” She stopped, taking a deep breath. “Sorry. I shouldn’t let it get to me.”
Alyssa’s expression softened as she perched beside Tori. “Your album is crushing it. Eight weeks at number one. Sold-out arena tour. Critics adore you. Focus on that.”
“I know.” Tori twisted the thin gold ring on her middle finger—a nervous habit she’d developed over the years. “It’s just… my songs are real. They come from my heart.”
Even if nobody knows who they’re really about, she thought.
“Of course they are.” Alyssa squeezed her shoulder. “That’s why your fans connect so deeply with them. Speaking of which…” She glanced at her watch. “Country Beat interview in twenty. They want to talk about the inspirations behind ‘Overnight.’”
Tori's stomach tightened. That song was one of the more personal ones on the album—written about Mallory, her first real love. They’d spent a few intoxicating months together during Tori’s last summer in Los Angeles, before moving to Nashville for college.
It was the one song where she’d fought her label over the lyrics. Like always, they’d wanted her to change the pronouns from “her” to “him,” to maintain the carefully cultivated image they’d built. In the end, they’d compromised—Tori had meticulously rewritten the verses to avoid gendered pronouns altogether, using “you” throughout, while preserving the raw emotion of the original. The result was ambiguous enough for radio play but authentic enough that Tori could still feel Mallory in every note.
“Right,” she said, standing and smoothing her blouse. “Just give me a minute.”
@minorchordsmajorfeels: just watched tori vega’s CMT unplugged sessions and i’m literally crying??? Her voice is UNREAL 😭 #torivegaera
@topdowndrivin: @minorchordsmajorfeels: the way she hit those high notes in “Casablanca” had me in TEARS 🥹 literally felt like my soul left my body
@oliviajacobs: @minorchordsmajorfeels: she’s genuinely the sweetest person ever too!! my cousin met her at a signing and said she remembered her name the next day when they bumped into each other at a coffee shop!!
@rockrevival: The Assassins just dropped the most badass album of the decade and y’all are sleeping on it. Jade West is the rock goddess we’ve been waiting for. 🤘🏽 #TheAssassins #JadeWest
@altrocklives: @rockrevival: finally someone bringing REAL rock back to the mainstream. not that watered-down pop-rock garbage we’ve been force-fed for years 👏🏻
@guitargina: @rockrevival: the guitar solo in “Razor’s Edge” literally changed my life. haven’t stopped thinking about it for days. flash deserves a goddamn grammy just for that bridge
Brooklyn, NY - Thunder House Records Studio
The thunderous crash of drums reverberated through the soundproofed studio as Jade West gripped the microphone stand, her knuckles white, black-painted nails gleaming under the lights. Her raven hair, streaked with teal highlights, clung to her face with sweat as she belted out the final notes of “Ain’t No Valentine.” The last chord hung in the air for a moment before Jade stepped back, breathing hard.
“That’s a wrap,” called the producer through the intercom. “Killer take, guys.”
Flash, The Assassins’ lead guitarist, slipped his instrument off and high-fived Bam Bam, who was already standing up from behind his drum kit. Rehab, their bassist, nodded appreciatively at Jade while Ava, their backup vocalist, handed her a bottle of water.
“Fucking finally,” Jade muttered, taking a long drink. “Thought we’d never nail that bridge.”
Noah Perkins, their manager, entered the studio with his perpetual cup of Jet Brew coffee and a PearPad tucked under his arm. He was younger than most managers at thirty-two, with a carefully maintained fade and glasses that somehow made his baby face look more authoritative.
“Just got the numbers for this week,” he announced, sliding his fingers across the screen. “Album’s still climbing. And the Music Weekly piece hit newsstands today.” He pulled out a rolled-up copy from his back pocket and tossed it to Jade.
She caught it one-handed and her eyes immediately narrowed at the headline: “RISING STARS: Country-Pop Princess Tori Vega and Rock Rebel Jade West Dominate Charts.”
“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” she growled. “They paired me with Little Miss Sunshine?”
“Free publicity is free publicity,” Noah shrugged. “And they gave you a great spread.”
Jade flipped through until she found the article, scanning it quickly. Her bandmates gathered around, reading over her shoulder.
“Country-Pop Princess,” Flash snorted. “Might as well call her Corporate Puppet Barbie.”
“Have you actually heard her stuff?” Ava asked, twirling one of Bam Bam’s drumsticks between her fingers. “It’s not terrible.”
Jade shot her a look of betrayal. “It’s processed. Mass-produced, focus-grouped bullshit packaged to sell to soccer moms and tweens who think having feelings is a personality trait.”
“Tell us how you really feel,” Rehab chuckled.
Jade’s phone buzzed with a notification. She pulled it out to see a text from Davvy O’Dell, the lead singer of the indie-rock band The Davvy O’s and Jade’s occasional hookup.
Davvy
Saw the article. Paired with country barbie? Condolences.
Drinks later to ease the pain? 😈
Jade smirked and typed back:
Jade
fuck yes. need a glass of red to wash away the association. your place, 10?
Davvy
Done. Bring that leather jacket. Only that.
“You know what bothers me about her?” Jade said suddenly, looking back at the magazine spread where Tori Vega smiled with practiced perfection. “Everything about her is calculated. That whole ‘aw shucks, I’m just a small-town girl with big dreams’ routine. The carefully tousled hair. The relatable girl-next-door interviews. She’s from the fucking Hollywood Hills, not hickville Tennessee. It’s an act.”
“Most of the industry is an act,” Noah pointed out.
“But she’s selling authenticity,” Jade countered, tossing the magazine onto a nearby speaker. “At least I’m honest about who I am. There’s something she’s hiding—I can feel it. Nobody’s that perfect.”
“Since when do you care about Tori Vega?” Flash asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t,” Jade snapped. “I just hate fakes.”
Noah checked his watch. “Save the music industry critique for later. We’ve got that Sirius XM interview in an hour, and you need to change.”
As the others filed out, Jade lingered in the studio, staring at the discarded magazine. Something about Tori Vega’s eyes in that photo—there was a guardedness there, a careful control. Jade had spent her life reading people, and she recognized a mask when she saw one.
@ChartData✓: @ToriVega’s “Wildflower Season” spends its 8th consecutive week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming the longest running #1 country crossover hit of the decade.
@vegastan4life: @ChartData: THE POWER SHE HAS!!!!!!! MY QUEEN INVENTED COUNTRY POP AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE
@chartwatch: @ChartData: First female country artist to spend this many consecutive weeks at #1 since Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” era. Historic numbers for a sophomore album.
@RockAndRollHall✓: “I don’t make music to be liked. I make music that’s real.” -@JadeWest at last night’s RockSound Awards, accepting the Breakthrough Artist honor.
@assassinsfan01: @RockAndRollHall: and that’s why she’s the moment 🔥 no filter, no fakeness, just pure talent and truth
@altgirllover: @RockAndRollHall: need this tattooed on my body immediately. jade west really said fuck the industry and everyone’s expectations in one perfect sentence. i love her.