Growth rarely comes without discomfort. For Mindset, it meant confronting years of self-doubt, impossible expectations, and the lingering fear that whatever came next wouldn’t measure up to what came before. Those emotions ultimately became the foundation of Vanity, his deeply introspective new EP released through Of The Trees’ acclaimed imprint, Memory Palace. Rather than chasing perfection, Mindset leans into the imperfections that make both his music and his artistry feel undeniably human, weaving together cinematic sound design, haunting atmospheres, and moments of genuine vulnerability into one of his most compelling projects to date.
Following the release of Vanity, we caught up with Mindset to discuss the stories behind the EP, his creative evolution, his collaboration with tiedye ky again, and what it means to release such a personal project through Of The Trees’ Memory Palace imprint.
In Conversation with Mindset
seradopa: Vanity feels like it exists within its own world. There’s a sinister, almost unsettling atmosphere that ties the entire project together. When you first began writing these songs, did you know the emotional and sonic world you wanted to build, or did that vision reveal itself as the music came together?
Mindset: The first song I made for the EP was “ARACHNID,” and I knew instantly that I wanted my next project to have that same color (that’s kind of how I see my music). I didn’t go into it with a specific vision in mind, but as I started writing more songs, the world of Vanity became very clear.
seradopa: The title Vanity immediately sparks ideas about ego, identity, self-perception, and reflection. What does “vanity” mean to you personally, and how did that concept shape both the music and the emotional direction of the EP?
Mindset: One of the things that stopped me from releasing music for so long after my last EP Everyone Sounds Like was the fear that I couldn’t follow it up. I set this bar so high in my head that it discouraged me from releasing anything at all.
The name Vanity is derived from those fears and my struggles with self-perception. As a creative, it’s easy to be your worst critic, especially since art comes from such a vulnerable place. Eventually, I learned that it can be freeing to accept yourself and your flaws instead of chasing an impossible version of yourself you want to see in the mirror.
seradopa: It’s been some time since your last EP. Looking back, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned as both a person and an artist that found their way into Vanity?
Mindset: Learning to accept yourself instead of constantly picking apart every flaw. You’ll never finish the story if you spend all your time obsessing over every little detail. At some point, you have to step back, appreciate what you’ve created, and enjoy the journey rather than chasing perfection.
seradopa: One thing that stands out is how cohesive every song feels despite each having its own personality. How do you know when a track belongs on an EP instead of becoming a standalone release?
Mindset: The original concept of Vanity had a few extra songs, but I trimmed it down over time because I felt like they no longer related to the story I was trying to tell. It’s pretty easy to tell if a song is going to contribute to that story or if it’s just meant to be a single.
seradopa: Is there one song on Vanity that holds a deeper personal significance than listeners might realize? What makes that track especially meaningful to you?
Mindset: “ARACHNID” holds a special place in my heart because it captures everything that was and is “Mindset.” I think it’s a combination of so many characteristics that have always been present in my music, just a lot more polished. I also reunited with BOH FREE, who did the vocals. He’s been a longtime friend and collaborator, but we haven’t done a song together since my last EP, which makes the song even more special to me.
seradopa: You reunite with your longtime friend and collaborator tiedye ky on “OMG.” Having worked together before, what keeps bringing you two back into the studio together? Did making “OMG” feel different compared to your previous work together?
Mindset: Kyle and I have been friends for as long as I’ve been making music. Getting in the studio together is always inspiring and shifts the way I see music. Writing “OMG” was a lot of fun and different from our usual sessions because I came to him with a basically finished beat and was struggling because I thought it was missing some vocals.
He really took the song to a whole new level, and we had so much fun during those sessions at his house. I remember just saying dumb phrases to Kyle and having him record them for me, not knowing at the time these lyrics would become an earworm that would be stuck in my head daily.
seradopa: “Last Words” immediately stood out to me because it feels emotionally heavier than the rest of the project. The atmosphere feels more introspective, almost like you’re asking listeners to sit with themselves. What inspired that direction, and why did that track deserve a different emotional space?
Mindset: It’s kind of crazy, but I started the original idea for that song in 2020. I used to write very slow, borderline ambient music before going to sleep, and “Last Words” happened to be one of those sketches. I stumbled back on that idea 4-5 years later while going through a pretty emotional time in my life and ended up putting a lot of myself into that song.
seradopa: You’ve shared stages with Of The Trees over the years, and now you’re releasing Vanity through Memory Palace. How meaningful does it feel to have this particular project released through his label? Why was this the perfect home for this project?
Mindset: To have been knighted by Tyler and now get a seat at the Memory Palace round table is such an honor. He’s been one of my biggest inspirations and has really pushed me to challenge myself with this release. I remember being on the phone with him before we were that close, talking about the demos I sent him and him pushing me to “turn these beats into songs.” That really stuck with me and changed the way I approached songwriting.
Tyler has built one of the coolest labels in the scene, and I couldn’t ask for a better home for this release than Memory Palace.
seradopa: We have to ask…how’s the hat company coming along? (Jk) but how has it been playing along with the joke that “Mindset is a hat company”
Mindset: Oh, I absolutely live for the jokes and the DMs I get about the hats, it’s been fun watching the lore grow into what it’s become. Although I love to feed into the humor of it all, it is also so special to see a community form around this camouflage hat. The hat company has been so fulfilling, and I feel indebted to those who choose to wear my name on their head; you all keep me going.
seradopa: When someone reaches the end of Vanity, what’s the one feeling or thought you hope they’re left sitting with?
Mindset: I need a Mindset hat immediately.
seradopa: Now that this chapter is finally out in the world, where do you feel your curiosity is pulling you next? Is there a new sound or creative direction you’re excited to explore?
Mindset: I’m happy I got the chance to show people the more melodic side of my project with this EP. I never wanted to be an artist pigeonholed into one sound, style, or BPM, but slowly found myself in that position. Hopefully with this release, people understand that they can expect anything from me. I love creating for the sake of telling a story that’s never been heard.
seradopa: Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next phase of your career and anything you’d like to share for everyone to keep their eyes on?
Mindset: I’m really excited to put out some singles, keep the ball rolling, and unveil the next chapter of my story. I also want to continue designing more clothes and hats and eventually turn this “hat company” into a full outdoors clothing line. One day I will make a full-on ghillie suit with my name printed all over it.
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