Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Duncan Vinje. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Duncan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’m fortunate to have worked in several bands outside of my own endeavors over the years. Each experience was rich with lessons and chances to cut my teeth. With that, it’s hard to pin one down as being more “meaningful” than the other. However, my time with Radda Radda proved to put everything I knew about musicianship to the test.

A band based out of Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota, Radda Radda was comprised of several musicians who had a great deal of experience touring and gigging all around. In my mind, they had the answers to all the questions I had about what it was like to be a “full” musician. To do the damn thing for real.

Each time they played in our small town, many from our little community of musicians saw it as a chance to witness gigging done right.

In the fall of 2019, I experienced a complete reset in my personal and professional lives that I didn’t intend on. This was the first time I was without a band or project since the beginning of my musical endeavors 5 years prior. So, I had time and nothing to lose.

After hearing through the grapevine that Radda Radda was undergoing a personnel change, I fired my shot into the dark. Expecting to hear a sharp and concise “no”, I was taken aback by their willingness to have me come down for an audition. They didn’t know me. They also didn’t know that my only experience of “touring” was driving 4 hours to play the Smiling Moose in Hudson, Wisconsin. And trust me, that experience lacked any redeeming elements that you’d want to brag about.

But, I did my best to counterbalance my lack of experience with preparation. I showed up with their music committed to memory and quietly prayed I could shake the nerves long enough to seem calm and collected. After the rehearsal was done, they praised me for my commitment to learning the tunes and for being willing to show up. After a few days, I got a call from the drummer, Allen Maier, formally inviting me into the band. We went on the play several shows that would double as firsts for me.

I learned many things in my time with Radda Radda that I consider to be the foundations of my musicianship today. However, it was their encouragement to play the parts my own way that taught me to value and trust myself as a player. This is something I strive to remind myself of and encourage players within my own project to do.

Thank you, Radda Radda.

Duncan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

First, it’s good to meet you, reader!

Around Nashville, I go by “Vinje”. This is a monkier I’ve chosen to honor my dad, who has supported me relentlessly throughout all of my endeavors. It has also lived as his nickname over the years.

I’m fortunate to have met what seems like a mere fraction of the incredible community of musicians here in Nashville. Truly, I’m forever grateful to share this town with them and to be considered a colleague by a few.

It’s also been a great treat to be recording and releasing music during my time here. Our latest release, Sault Sainte Marie / Your Man, is a direct product of what Nashville has taught me so far.

I look forwad to meeting more incredible people down the road soon.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve had the proverbial door closed in my face more than a few times. This is “The Buisness”, I suppose.

However, depsite having built up a significant tolerance to being told “no”, there have been venues that I just couldn’t walk away from so easily. These rooms would have me imagining all the moving lights, what tunes we’d play, who we’d be playing with, who’s in attendance, and so on.

7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, Minnesota has been THAT gig I’ve reached for several times. It’s remained a goal of mine over the years, even after moving to Nashville. I’ve always humored the thought that maybe some day I can head home and play one of First Avenue’s best rooms.

As of January 26th, this becomes a reality. With the help of my dear friends Faith Boblett, Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty, and the team at First Avenue, we’re happy to be putting on a stellar show. There is some truth to all those phrases about patience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Just to keep my love for this thing intact.

There was a time where my gigging and other music related endeavors had become my main source of income. Although this brought a moment of pride, it also had me obsessing over the best ways to monetize my brand.

Whilst in the middle of revamping my 3-hour cover set, I realized over half of my choices were not songs I’d readily listen to our play of my own volition. I believe this was also apparent to those who attending these gigs. I was tired of these songs and realized I no longer had excitement to get out there.

Since then, I’ve adopted this principle: “If music becomes my ‘job’, I’ll happily quit then and there.”

Thankfully, following this rule seems to have brought some great experiences and oppertunities our way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/VINJE
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvinj/?utm_medium=copy_link
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VINJE.MN/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dvinj

Image Credits
Photos by Alex Wieland & Adam Nantz