Celebrity Travel: Go away with Pictoria Vark

After living in Iowa, New Jersey, Wyoming and New York, musician Victoria Park moved to Illinois – Chicago to be exact. The bass-playing singer-songwriter said it wasn’t always easy living in cities where she and her family were visible minorities. “I think part of why moving to Wyoming was so scary was that we were going to be some of the only Asian people around,” said the singer, who goes professionally by the moniker Pictoria Vark. “And there’s very little Asian food. The closest Korean supermarket is an hour away and part of a gas station. But even growing up in Bergen County (New Jersey) among a lot of other Koreans, I also didn’t quite fit in either. My family wasn’t religious, I didn’t speak Korean and I was really into the rock music thing, so shared identity didn’t necessarily help in terms of fitting in. It helped in not being noticeably different.” Park has announced new tour dates (https://www.victoriaparkbass.com/tour.html) and also keeps fans updated on her music on social media, where her handle is@pictoriavark.

Q: How is Pictoria Vark different from Victoria Park?

A: I think Pictoria Vark as a persona is more self-assured in taking up space, even if she’s not sure what to say. As Victoria Park, I tend to be a people-pleaser and comedic relief, so it’s nice to try and work my way to shedding those roles I compulsively have found myself in.

Q: How much of your songwriting on "The Parts I Dread" was informed by where you've lived?

A: So much of this last album is about places I’ve lived or places I had been going and trying to find a sense of home and if that is even a physical place. This next batch of songs I have is more informed by my touring experiences and their transient nature.

Q: What are your hopes for your 2024 tour?

A: To have a lot of fun, have as little stress as possible and hopefully have some nice turnout at these shows. I’m aiming for more quality over quantity in 2024 after two years of really heavy touring.

Q: Speaking of touring, how do you maintain your health on the road?

A: When I’m on tour, I always try to eat fruits and veggies when I can. Even if it’s just a V8 or Naked Green Machine from the gas station. Something is better than nothing. Also basic hygiene – washing hands before eating, showering regularly … Venues are so full of germs and touring wears down your immune system so much, so it’s important to be proactive about health stuff. I’ve only gotten sick on tour two times in the six years I’ve been touring and I’m hoping it stays that way.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?

A: Iowa City is so underrated, especially if you’re doing a cross-country road trip. There’s a lot of really wonderful music festivals – Mission Creek, FEaST, Witching Hour – throughout the year, a variety of restaurants and walkable charm. If you go, you need to check out Prairie Lights Books and Cafe, FilmScene, Hickory Hill Park and Tru Coffee. Also Boise, Idaho. Go for the Treefort Music Fest and stay all week. It’s the best festival.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: Running away from your life won’t magically fix all of your problems. Tough lesson, but an important one.

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

A: The best one was when my family and I went to Singapore for Christmas in 2018. My dad spent much of his early life there and it was the first time he had been back in a long time. Even though it was so different from when he was growing up, it was so nice to see and to try so much food. Talk about a place for foodies! Also the airport there is amazing.

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Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?

A: I have a degree in French, actually! I’d love to use it more but I can watch French shows without subtitles so that’s pretty fun. It was always the subject in school that came the easiest to me. Something about learning foreign languages clicks in my brain. I hope to learn Korean sometime in the future.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island, Tokyo, Osaka, Iceland, Bristol, Dublin, Glasgow, and Marrakesh.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: I always have a stuffed animal goat with me named Greg. He comes onstage sometimes at the shows. He’s a lucky charm and a reminder of home. Other items would be a neck pillow, eye mask, foam roller, lavender sage mist, a journal, a disposable film camera and a good book.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A: Spending too much money on food, [Laughs.] My dad is a really amazing chef and I was lucky to grow up surrounded by good food. But it unfortunately made my taste very particular. Sometimes all I want or need is a good meal – usually sushi or pho if I’m having a tough day. And paddleboarding when it’s warm! I love being out on the water to think and get in my body. Not so much a guilty pleasure but my worst tour habit is that I always need like 12 consecutive alarms to wake up in the morning, much to the chagrin of my bandmates. Sorry, everyone.

Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?

A: My favorite memory from my travels was when we were on tour in 2022 in Ventura, California, and I went paddleboarding by myself between load-in and soundcheck. It was in this weird harbor and I thought it wasn’t going to be that cool because it wasn’t out on the ocean, but there was a whole family of seals resting on the docks and barking at each other. I got to be way closer to them than I would’ve otherwise. It’s a cherished moment I have just with myself.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow “Go Away With…” on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)