ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Vince A’s First EP, “High Fidelity,” Is Just as Cinematic as His Life Story

Filipino-American artist Vince A is ready to transport listeners back to the eras of peak romance jams with his retro-inspired first EP, High Fidelity. Vince is devoted to a deep-rooted journey of sonic storytelling. The EP dropped on July 25, with each of the four songs in the project representing a varying phase of love inspired by the stories in both his life and his family’s.

“Those stories are super important to tell, because I don’t know if my relatives have felt represented in America in any way,” Vince earnestly said. “I think the instinct is to just survive and conform. Their experiences, life, and love… those are the ones that I always remember and hold really dear to my heart. For the next generation of musicians, don’t just do it because you want to, but really draw from the places that are important to you and those around you respect.”

EnVi connected with Vince via Zoom on a summer afternoon, where Vince expressed his excitement for his first formal interview. Vince handled the interview like a seasoned professional as he spoke with tactful relatability — sprinkled with some comedic wit for good measure. He dove into his movie-like destiny with music, the stories that shaped his EP, and, most importantly, the wisdom he hopes his artistry evokes.

Hereditary Harana

Vince’s innate affinity for music is traced back to even before his birth, as he comes from a long line of artists. His uncles were recording artists in the ‘90s, and Vince’s grandfather won a singing competition show in the Philippines. However, his grandfather chose his relationship with Vince’s grandmother over the coveted prize of signing a record deal.

Vince seemingly inherited his “loverboy” approach to music from his grandfather, who, outside of sacrificing his dreams for a loved one, also partook in an old Philippine custom known as “harana.” Harana was a nighttime courting serenade where men stood outside their love interest’s home and confessed their feelings through song. Think of it as the traditional version of standing outside of your crush’s window with a boombox blasting love songs! Years later, Vince unknowingly kept up this tradition by wooing girls in middle school through self-written songs performed on his guitar.

This musical exploration developed into starting his own band in high school, and later co-founding Bay Area hip-hop group “The Lychee Boys.” A turning point in Vince’s career came when he made the major decision to drop out of college to pursue music. Thankfully, his parents embraced this commitment, wittily responding with, “I wish you told us sooner so we didn’t have to pay for another month of dorming!” In 2022, Vince chased his dreams and made the move from the Bay Area to Southern California.

Vince acknowledged how fortunate he was to make this transition, as not all of the talented creatives in his family were able to do the same. “I think it’s a good chance to break stereotypes and inspire future generations to come,” Vince shared. “If you have something that you believe in wholeheartedly, then I think you should go for it. Hopefully, when my generation becomes parents, they [will] do the same thing for their kids.”

Written In The Stars

Vince’s pursuit of music plays out like a gripping teleserye (or Philippine television drama). Numerous moments in Vince’s journey felt like they were conceived by a clever showrunner — all with the overarching intention for Vince to become the musician he is today. Vince’s path to joining Bolo Music Group’s debut roster adds another layer to this dramatic tale.

Bolo Music Group is spearheaded by two respected Bay Area talents: “2025 NPR Tiny Desk Contest” winner Ruby Ibarra and powerhouse producer Angelo “LASI” Macaraeg. Bolo Music Group is more than a vibrant artist collective; it is a movement that champions Filipino-American excellence.

“[Bolo Music Group] is what it is because it’s a community effort, and Ruby Ibarra herself wanted to do all this because she knew that there’s a spot for us Filipinos, and also just young artists,” Vince said. “If we can all unite, I think there could be something really amazing for us years down the line.”

Vince’s story with Bolo Music Group began from a fateful encounter with Ruby Ibarra. Ruby, whose cousin is coincidentally Vince’s aunt’s nephew, ended up on the same show lineup as Vince. Vince decided to approach her for a chat, and from that point on, Ruby kept a keen eye on him. One year after their initial conversation, Ruby invited Vince for lunch and introduced the idea of Bolo Music Group.

“What Bolo Music Group allowed me to do is do what I love to the fullest,” Vince shared with a meaningful smile. “It’s brought me in front of amazing people [and] learning experiences. [The] people on the Bolo team have really encouraged me to be fearless about things. If you want something, go after it — you have nothing to lose. If you always have the main goal in mind, I don’t think you can ever stray off the path. That is how I met Ruby, that is how I got into Bolo Music Group, and that is how High Fidelity came to be!”

High Fidelity

Vince’s debut EP, High Fidelity, is described in a press release as “a cinematic meditation on love in all its phases.” A key component of this EP is the evident retro influences drawn from R&B soul greats like Babyface, New Edition, and Quincy Jones, to name a few. As a self-proclaimed “old soul,” Vince drew inspiration from the real, tender love songs he grew up hearing. Embedded within the nostalgic grooves are heartfelt messages that Vince aims to share with the world.

The opening track, “Forevermore,” sets the tone for the EP with romantic honesty and a signature ‘80s-adjacent sound. Vince crafted the song with producer Patrick Hizon, and compared the collaborative studio session to a “hangout with your best friend.” Together, their synergy created a song that portrays the scenario of “what if I were with you?”

The official music video for “Forevermore” is just as riveting as the lyrics itself. The video stars Vince himself, where he shows off his acting chops and passionate vocal belts. Vince recognizes his crush’s worth, and pines over the “what if?” He sings, “You can be honest / Tell me about how much it hurts / Do you even want this? / ‘Cause he never put you first.”

The Phases Of Love

The vibe amps up on “Let’s Fly,” which depicts the honeymoon stage of a relationship. Now that you’re officially with that special someone, nothing else matters, and it feels like you’re flying! The song is an ode to all the unapologetic lovers who don’t shy away from expressing their affection. The song is produced by LASI, who makes a special appearance alongside Ruby Ibarra in the quirky music video. “Let’s Fly” has a funkier edge to it, making it the perfect track to bust out your favorite moves. (In Vince’s case, he hits the quintessential Bay Area “smeeze”!)

“Unsavable” slows down the tempo and dips back into the hypothetical. Inspired by his mother’s stories, this song takes a more solemn perspective. Instead of picturing a future together, Vince pictures the inevitable end. In a direct call-out to the previous track, Vince sings, “We were flying so steady / Ooh I really thought we were ready / To make it forever / Until I saw a sudden change in the weather.”

High Fidelity comes to a close with “On My Knees,” a full-circle moment for Vince. The lyrics plead, “You got me losing all control / Down on my knees / Begging you please.” Vince describes “On My Knees” as the point where everything starts all over and the cycle repeats. What makes this song so special is the feature from alt-pop singer-songwriter Nieman, who Vince is not shy about expressing his respect for.

“Nieman has been one of my favorite artists for years, and his song, ‘Why Do I Still,’ with May Angeles — I love singing that in the car,” Vince gushed. “When I got to the studio, Nieiman, recording engineer Jake Brueckner, and May were there […] I was really scared, and I respect them like crazy, so they pushed me to become a better artist.”

Closing out his commentary on the EP, Vince wanted to specially shout out his best friend and music producer, Ron Joshtin, for helping High Fidelity come into fruition.

“He and I have just been doing this thing for a few years now, and I could not have done this without him, really,” Vince shared with a smile. “I wouldn’t be here without that guy. We did this to have a good time making music, and we were very lucky to have this become a fully realized project that the world can listen to.”

A Lifelong Series

@soundsbyvince HIGH FIDELITY. VINCE A. DEBUT EP. 07.25.2025 @bolo music group 🎧Featuring the singles “Let’s Fly” and “Forevermore” STREAMING NOW 💿Pre-save Now in Bio https://orcd.co/vincea-highfidelityep #highfidelity #bolomusicgroup #newmusic #filipinoartist #brunomars ♬ original sound – Vince A 🤟🏽

Vince radiated beaming positivity whenever he spoke about High Fidelity. It was almost impossible for him to keep a smile off his face while he reminisced and mused about the project. High Fidelity signifies a new chapter in his ever-expanding musical career, and he hopes that listeners finish the EP feeling empowered.

“I hope people feel that this album is like a nice hug to get them through the motions of life, or something that can elevate those times,” Vince told EnVi. “Also, if a kid from the Bay like me can do something like this, you too can achieve your dreams. You can make any kind of music you want, as long as you love it!”

What’s next for Vince? Well, he reassured EnVi that there is consistently going to be new music, projects, and shows to look forward to. Vince just announced a one-night-only homecoming show for High Fidelity at San Francisco’s Brick & Mortar Music Hall on September 4. He humorously said, “This [music] is gonna be a lifelong thing, and you’re gonna get music until something stops me from doing that!”

Though Vince shared his answers in a comedic light that represents his easy-going nature, he is serious when it comes to his dedication to music. Vince doesn’t just release music — he intricately curates each of his songs to represent a story, and studies the source material to ensure the most authentic sound possible. With Vince’s lifelong commitment to honing his artistry, rest assured that the future of music is in safe hands!

High Fidelity is now available to stream on music platforms. Stay tuned for Vince’s next projects by following him on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Interested in more new releases? Check out EnVi’s Artist Spotlight with Korean-Canadian singer-songwriter, suggi, here!