Vivian Buri Grows Beyond Feeling 'Little' Through The Art Of Songwriting
UW-Eau Claire student collaborates with family, globally-recognized producers in latest EP
In the Chippewa Valley’s ever-changing music scene, many artists look to the future with visions of not just their personal evolution, but the impact a single chord or lyric could elicit for listeners. One local artist brings a hopeful perspective to this work and dares to dream of something bigger.
Emerging singer-songwriter Vivian Buri, a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire student, has released her debut EP, Little. The three tracks in the collection narrate her journey into young adulthood and the importance of collaboration, when life presents it.
Buri’s family has influenced much of her musical inclinations and the Little EP, she shared. Both of her parents share their own passions for music – even meeting at a concert – making music an integral part of her upbringing.
Even at a young age and into her high school years, Buri became attuned to her appreciation for different musical genres and eras – from Fleetwood Mac to One Direction and Taylor Swift. She noted, “instead of just enjoying their music, I started to enjoy dissecting it and understanding how they went about what they did.”
Writing her own music, at its core, has remained a vessel to convey her feelings toward the trials and tribulations of young adulthood. She felt driven, purely by the love of creating, without concern for a specific outcome.
“Whether it was just writing songs in my bedroom about various teenage life things, or getting to perform even just in high school – it was (all) so much fun,” Buri shared.
Ultimately, her family’s encouragement was the force which compelled her to expand beyond the four walls of her bedroom and head to Minneapolis, Minn. to pursue larger dreams and produce what would become Little.
“art can be a solo project, but I think there is so much that working with other people can bring to the table.”
vivian buri
singer-songwriter, little
As she transitioned from high school to her collegiate career at the UW-Eau Claire, she spent time in the recording studio to shape and mold the three tracks on her debut EP. Her notable collaborators include Owen Sartori, who served as her producer and engineer.
Another artist she befriended along the way was Ricky Peterson, a well-known musician in the Twin Cities area. The organ instrumentations on the tracks “A Little Bit in Love With You” and “Constant” were provided by him – a chance meeting which turned out to become a major source of inspiration for Buri, she said.
Peterson has collaborated with artists including Stevie Nicks, Prince and John Mayer – many musicians whom Buri has listened to all through growing up and into adulthood.
Mastering for Little was completed by Randy Merrill, whose list of credits includes artists such as Taylor Swift and Adele. Buri describes working with these three as yet another dream come true.
“I was going through all the ‘normal’ high school experiences, and still getting to have these amazing opportunities and work with amazingly talented people,” Buri said. “I think art can be a solo project, but I think there is so much that working with other people can bring to the table.”
A common thread in Buri’s story, she shared that some of the most valuable pieces of the EP were brought to life by her family.
Both of her parents contributed to the song “Constant” through recordings of different harmony lines to accompany the chorus.
“It was such a special experience, getting to listen to that song and pick out my parents’ voices in the background; I wouldn't be doing this at all without them,” she added.
Buri's EP offers a vibrant mix of soundscapes and genre-bending, as she moves through pop and upbeat rhythms to melodic ballads. While her music taste is diverse, her commitment remains firmly rooted in the songwriting process – where rich storytelling can unfold through every line.
As she reflects on the stories of her past, significant life changes and experiences of love and loss, she breaks down how each of these messages continues to manifest themselves not only in Little – but new songs already in development.
At 6pm on Saturday, May 2, Buri will perform tracks featured on Little in front of a live audience at The Cabin at the Davies Student Center of UW-Eau Claire (77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire). The complete setlist, she teased, will also include a mix of covers and other musical experiments she’s currently working on.
While Buri continues to find embrace in the arts and music scenes of the Chippewa Valley, she opens a door to the limitless future of a young artist who seeks connection and grows beyond the “little” expectations of her younger self.
“I wrote all (this) music when I felt small and there wasn't anything proving to me that I could be more,” Buri shared. “Since then, I have grown into the idea of what I wanted to be… Listening to (Little) can be a confirmation that you can be more than what you ascribe yourself to be.”
Listen to Little by Vivian Buri on major streaming platforms. Visit her artist webpage online – vivianburi.com – to learn more about future live performances in the Chippewa Valley and ongoing updates.
