Born and raised in Toronto, Victoria Staff was always an “anxious child.” The string that connected much of her young life was using music to communicate with family, friends, teachers, and even therapists. Over time, this coping mechanism developed into a passion for music that would lead to her career as an indie-pop artist. Staff continues to use the written word to communicate with her audience. Her debut EP, Records & Honesty, was released in 2023 under the guidance of Canadian music producer Dan Hosh.

Sophomore EP, I Wake Up Smiling 🙁, continues her narrative, as she begins to build the world around her. The record follows her journey through love, life, and mental health, as she navigates this next chapter of her life. “Happiness is super elusive. It can feel like your chasing it down, but it’s often faster than I am,” says Staff, “it’s just about trying to find it, whether or not you actually get there is beside the point sometimes.”

I Wake Up Smiling 🙁 features highlighted single, “My Whole Life Long.” Instead of being a cathartic outlet, “My Whole Life Long” finds Staff communicating through a new lens, one where her storytelling is centered around a place of joy. Her public autobiography this time tells the story about love found, not love lost. So many relationships are one sided, but “My Whole Life Long” tells a story where both people were in it together as equals.

‘Records & Honesty’ was about where I was last year, and in contrast, this is all about where I am now. I got to work with some incredible musicians: Will Crann, John Karkar, Luke Fair, and Dan Hosh. I also built ‘I Wake Up Smiling 🙁’ with my sister. She is and always will be my favourite collaborator. Her voice is all over the songs. She makes me a better musician.