Rising Singer-Songwriter, 15, Transmutes Teen Angst Into Empowerment

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Vivian James was sitting in a Jeep in the driveway of her Downers Grove home, when she first heard herself on 101.9 The Mix, singing a song she had written. Just 14 at the time, Vivian, now 15, told Patch the experience was “very surreal and exciting, and it felt like I was a real pop star.”

"This has all started happening so fast," she said.

Since then, Vivian's first three releases have been played on Star 96.7 Joliet, Star 102.3 McHenry and Star 105.5 in Gurnee, which is "an unheard of accomplishment for a brand-new artist… especially a teenager!" her manager, Matt Marquardt, of MME Music Group, told Patch.

"She’s beyond mature for her age," Marquardt added. "I can really see her becoming a voice for a currently unheard generation."

Next up, Vivian, who has dreamt of being a pop star her whole life, will open for country artist Mason Ramsey at Joe's Live in Rosemont on April 11. Then, she'll perform at 115 Bourbon Street on April 18.

With a father who's a songwriter, Vivian told Patch that singing has been a part of her life for as long as she can recall. Vivian said she often sang as she walked down the halls in elementary school.

“I would be singing in the hallway and people would be like, 'Why are you singing?' And I would be like, 'Because it’s so fun.'"

She recalls writing her first songs in second grade, often tunes that were about her crushes.

"It wasn’t like they were good, but that’s what got the ball rolling again," Vivian told Patch.

"It's a vulnerable act to write..."

Upon starting middle school, Vivian found a whole new font of inspiration: the "difficult and confusing transition" of becoming a teenager.

She told Patch, there was "a whole new set of rules we have to follow, especially with being a girl."

These struggles inspired the song, "13," in which Vivian writes,

"When you hit 13, it′s like all of a sudden

You need to look a certain way to fit in with everyone

And at 13, it's like everything you learned about

Bein′ yourself, it all goes to hell."

Lyrics such as these have prompted her fellow Downers Grove North students to thank Vivian and start sharing stories of their own personal struggles.

Vivian said her songs are "meant to be relatable for girls her age… or just to convey the human experience in a way where we don’t need to judge ourselves for feeling this way."

“It’s a way to sort of open up conversation about these things that we don’t always talk about and that we don’t talk about enough, especially as teenagers.”

The subsequent lyrics of "13" echo this empowering sentiment.

Vivian sings,

I'm done with all the fakin′,

the self-deprecation

Pretending you're jokin′ to get validation

So how about takin' a little vacation from your self-hatred

She told Patch she enjoys writing "from genuine feelings I experienced...knowing it’s a vulnerable act to write what you’re feeling internally and put it out there."

For Vivian, songwriting and performing seems to come second nature. She told Patch she's often writing music and lyrics as she walks between classes.

"I just sing a little melody into my phone while walking to Spanish class."

While sitting at softball practice, Vivian came up with the first verse of her song, "Time."

Vivian told Patch she's "always writing and thinking of ideas." Then, she goes home and uses her ukulele to bring the songs together.

Other times, she has simply gone home after school, sat on her floor, strumming and "singing whatever came out about whatever I was feeling."

"It just feels right."

Vivian told Patch she plans to keep writing to connect with people, with the ultimate goal of releasing an album and realizing her lifelong dream of being a pop star.

And she's already got the confidence.

In the midst of prepping for shows, Vivian told Patch she does not get stage fright. She said her whole family was "really into theater" when she was growing up. She added that when her father gets on stage, he's got "such a great energy" that she tries to exude when performing.

Vivian's mother, Jessica McNamara, said, "Watching her perform on stage fills me with awe and admiration because she is such a natural performer."

She added that she's "incredibly proud" of Vivian's April 11 performance at Joe's Live, along with her younger daughter Naya's upcoming performance in "The Music Man" at the Marriott Lincolnshire.

"One of the greatest joys in my life is watching both of my daughters do what they love, and express themselves creatively," McNamara said.

Vivian told Patch, she too is grateful to be able to live her dream.

“When I get on stage, I'm just excited to do what I really love to do," Vivian said. "It just feels right."

Here's where you can check out Vivian James performing live in April:

April 11 at 7 p.m.

Acoustic set opening for Mason Ramsey

Joe's Live, Rosemont, 5441 Park Pl., Rosemont

April 18 at 7 p.m.

Opening for Zach Crean

115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park

Click the link to learn more about Vivian James and follow her on social media.