Chicago-based band Bnny, fronted by Jessica Viscius, has spent the summer bringing their signature indie sound across Europe — sharing their new album, One Million Love Songs with bustling crowds in Luxembourg, Antwerp, London, Paris, and beyond. The project, their sophomore release, is the true embodiment of love after loss — arriving three years after their debut, Everything, let listeners into Viscius’ deeply personal world and the heartbreaking tragedy of the death of her partner. As profound and connective as the album was, it was no doubt challenging to perform live — and now, with the still-introspective-but-lighter release, Bnny is having fun on stage. “The first album was about grief and releasing it into the world was really difficult. With this album, I just wanted to have some fun, and not take myself so seriously,” Viscius tells Wonderland.

Bnny’s Jessica Viscius gives us a look at her time on the road and chats with us about One Million Love Songs. Keep scrolling…

Hi Jess! Thanks so much for chatting with us. Tell us a bit about your creative upbringing and when everything started for you.
I grew up listening to pretty great music thanks to my parents who were dead heads, so bands like the Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, The Who. In high school my twin sister (and bandmate!) introduced me to a lot of cool music that she’d discover via message boards and indie mags of yore. Stuff like Modest Mouse, Blonde Redhead, The Strokes, Interpol were all very formative to me.

Did you grow up in a musical environment? What were some of your first influences, and how did they shape your sonic style today?
I half-heartedly took piano lessons when I was younger. I didn’t really get into playing music until college! I started getting more involved in Chicago music scene and going out to shows and I was like, “hmmm, this is pretty cool. I wonder if I can do this… If I can start a band.” I was really into Chicago garage rock bands when I started Bnny, so I’m sure that influenced our sound. Bands like Heavy Times, Uh Bones, Trey Gruber, Twin Peaks.

Congrats on the new album! What inspires your work today? And where do you draw inspiration from?
Thank you!! It feels great to have it out in the world. We are all really proud of it : ). I’m inspired by my relationships, romantic ones mostly… hence the name!

How do you describe your sound?
Dreamy sexy sad baby blue.

This project comes across as a very personal and introspective body of work. How do you reflect on that? How was the process of putting this album together for you?
I just try to write songs that are honest, regardless of how scary and vulnerable it is. Releasing an album often feels like showing the world my diary.

One Million Love Songs is described as a brighter and fuller record. Can you talk about the growth and changes you experienced as an arranger and artist while working on this album?
I was more intentional about finding the right sound for this record and the types of songs I wanted to write and especially play live. We recorded half the songs live in the studio and the other half we sort of tracked out so it was a fun mix. I think the energy and heart really comes through. We recorded it at Drop of Sun in Asheville, NC with co-producer Alex Farrar and he was so great to work with. It felt like we were at summer camp, all this giddy creative energy flowing.

How do you balance self-awareness and humour in your love songs, especially when dealing with complex emotions like heartbreak and loss?
I think I’ve always used humour as a way to cope with sadness. Love and loss are pretty universal feelings and it always feels better to laugh a little amidst the pain.

With this new album, how do you reflect on your artistic growth?
I wanted this album to be lighter than my last album. The first album was about grief and releasing it into the world was really difficult. With this album I just wanted to have some fun, and not take myself so seriously.

You have a jam-packed list of live performances lined up for the summer. What excites you most about being on tour? And how do you hope audiences will connect with this album?
I love pretty much everything about tour, the shitty hotels, getting ice cream at gas stations, never knowing what day it is, spending time cramped in a van with my best friends laughing for 12 hours a day, meeting like-minded people, making friends and playing our music to people who are excited to listen.

And lastly, is it possible to have fun with a broken heart after all?
At first, NO!… but time heals all wounds : )