Utopian (album) explained

Utopian
Type:	studio
Artist:	Virginia to Vegas
Cover:	Virginia to Vegas - Utopian (album cover).jpg
Border:	yes
Recorded:	2013–16
Prev Title:	Vol. I
Prev Year:	2014
Next Title:	Hartland St.
Next Year:	2019

Utopian is the debut studio album recorded by Canadian singer and songwriter Virginia to Vegas, released through Wax Records, Ultra Records, and Universal Music Group on December 2, 2016. It includes the Platinum-certified single, "We Are Stars", and the top-10 pop radio hit, "Lights Out".

Background

Derik Baker began his career as a songwriter before focusing on singing, at which point he adopted the stage name Virginia to Vegas after failing to garner attention using his birth name. He was discovered on YouTube in 2013 by Wax Records executive Jamie Appleby and signed to the label that year.^[1] His debut single, "We Are Stars", was released in January 2014.^[2] The song, which features labelmate, Alyssa Reid, reached the top 15 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by Music Canada.

A follow-up single, "Don't Fight the Music", was released in September 2014 which failed to replicate its predecessor's success.^[3] Both songs were included on an extended play, titled Vol. I, which was released that November.^[4] His radio success with the singles contributed to him being nominated for Pop Artist or Group of the Year at the 2015 Sirius XM Indie Awards.^[5] Over the next two years, Virginia to Vegas continued recording new material and released two further singles, which are included on Utopian. The album was announced in November 2016 and was released in Canada on December 2, 2016.^[6]

Track listing

Notes

Chart positions

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions
		CAN ^[7]	CAN AC ^[8]	CAN CHR ^[9]	CAN Hot AC ^[10]
2014	"We Are Stars"	14	13	11	14
	"Don't Fight the Music"	97	30	33	36
2015	"Our Story"	—	—	47	32
2016	"Lights Out"	40	14	10	14

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Label	Catalog
Canada	December 2, 2016	CD	Universal
		Digital download	Wax		^[11]
Japan		CD		WAX700189	^[12]
Worldwide	December 9, 2016				^[13]

Notes and References

1. News: Adams. Pilar. Pilar's Picks: Virginia To Vegas. December 3, 2016. Ottawa Life. May 20, 2014.
2. Web site: We Are Stars - Virginia to Vegas Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic. All Media Network. December 3, 2016.
3. Web site: Don't Fight the Music - Virginia to Vegas Release Info. AllMusic. All Media Network. December 3, 2016.
4. Web site: Volume I - Virginia to Vegas Songs, Reviews, Credits. AllMusic. All Media Network. December 3, 2016.
5. Web site: Delmar. Sari. 2015 INDIE AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED. INDIES. Sirius XM. December 3, 2016.
6. Web site: Utopian: Virginia to Vegas: Amazon.ca: Music. Amazon Music. Amazon.ca. December 3, 2016.
7. Web site: Virginia to Vegas - Chart history (Canadian Hot 100). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 3, 2016.
   • For "We Are Stars": Web site: Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs Chart. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Week Of: May 3, 2014. December 3, 2016.
8. Web site: Chart Search. Billboard Canada AC for Virginia to Vegas. December 3, 2016.
9. Web site: Chart Search. Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Virginia to Vegas. December 3, 2016.
10. Web site: Chart Search. Billboard Canada Hot AC for Virginia to Vegas. December 3, 2016.
11. Web site: Utopian - Virginia to Vegas Release Info. AllMusic. All Media Network. December 30, 2016.
12. Web site: Utopian : Virginia To Vegas ローチケHMV - WAX700189. HMV (Japan). Hilco. December 3, 2016.
13. International release references:
    • For the United Kingdom: Web site: Utopian by Virginia to Vegas: Amazon.co.uk: Music. Amazon Music. Amazon.co.uk. December 3, 2016.
    • For the United States: Web site: Virginia to Vegas - Utopian - Amazon.com Music. Amazon Music. Amazon.com. December 3, 2016.