Ecca Vandal reflects on creative independence and her return with a second album

Ecca Vandal, the Australian-South African punk and alternative artist, has spoken about her return to music following a period of stepping away from the industry to rediscover her creative identity. After the success of her self-titled debut album, she gained international attention through festival appearances and tours supporting major acts, as well as collaborations with artists across punk, rap, and electronic music. However, as her profile grew, she began to feel pressure from industry expectations and what she describes as a “surface-level and formulaic” approach to commercial music-making. In an attempt to adapt, she participated in pop writing sessions in Los Angeles, but quickly became disillusioned with the process, finding it creatively uninspiring. Around the same time, she became frustrated with wider industry trends, including short-form content-driven music consumption and a perceived lack of artistic depth. This led her to take a deliberate break from social media and public life, during which she focused on personal growth and creative reset. During this period, she began skateboarding and working closely with her long-time collaborator Richie “Kidnot” Buxton, using the experience as a way to rebuild confidence and trust in her instincts. She describes this phase as liberating and influential in reshaping her songwriting approach. Vandal later returned with new material, including tracks such as ‘Bleed But Never Die’ and the viral success ‘Cruising To Self Soothe’, which gained traction on TikTok and streaming platforms. Her second album, ‘Looking For People To Unfollow’, showcases a more expansive and experimental sound, blending punk, electronic, jazz, and hip-hop influences. The record explores themes of identity, resilience, and political awareness, reflecting her multicultural background and personal experiences. Her comeback has been supported by prominent artists and strong live reception, including festival appearances at Coachella and tours with major bands. Vandal describes her current work as deliberately non-formulaic and rooted in authenticity, emphasising artistic freedom over commercial expectations.