Currently unsigned and seeking the right label and collaborators for touring, licensing, and film/TV placement.
Contact — arto.vaun@gmail.com
Album Links Below — Stuck Inside a Map (2024) / The Cynthia Sessions (2013) / Hold My Breath by Mishima USA (2002)
Cinematic and infectious, Arto Vaun’s songs unfold like short films—earnest, evocative, and hard to shake. A bi-cultural artist, he occasionally weaves Armenian into his lyrics.
His latest album, Stuck Inside a Map, was selected as a 2024 NPR/WBUR summer listening pick. With his current band, Vaun has played alongside acts like The Sheila Divine, Thalia Zedek, Sun Urchins, MK Naomi, and Tugboat Annie.
His earlier band, Mishima USA, opened for acts like Daniel Johnston, Rufus Wainwright, Kimya Dawson, Wheat, and Ben Kweller.
“I’m gonna come out swinging on this edition of Future Picks with what I consider one of the most criminally underrated indie projects in the world today. ”
“Songwriter and poet Arto Vaun makes driving guitar rock with [...] intelligence.”
“[...] sharp indie and garage-edge that also packs a significant emotional punch within the power pop hooks. There’s a charm to it that you just don’t get too often anymore.”
“(7.9 Rating) Hold My Breath puts them [Mishima USA] within reach of the pantheon of pop camoufleurs who offer candy with one hand and shoot their addictive, will-destroying essence into your system with the other. ”
