Cutting the Vines

About this Song

Cutting the Vines is the fourth single from Meanjin/Brisbane alt-rock band Whose Party, a bright, grungy and confessional track that builds into an upbeat, hook-driven chorus. Leaning into indie/alt-rock with a subtle pop edge, the song pairs driving guitars and mid-tempo energy with delicate, bright vocals and a dynamic, slow-burning build. Originally written by Ivy on acoustic guitar in 2025, the track was later expanded by the full band into a fuller, more layered arrangement. Recorded DIY in Ivy’s room and mixed by her musician father, Cutting the Vines continues the band’s hands-on approach to making and releasing music, marking their fourth single in just six months. Lyrically, the song balances playfulness with vulnerability, unpacking frustration, self-doubt, and the impulse to throw everything away. Lines like “you called my bluff” reflect feelings of imposter syndrome, while “although I asked you to, I don’t want you to listen” captures the tension between wanting to share art and feeling hesitant to be seen. The title itself points to the temptation to step back from the emotional weight of creating — to cut away the parts that make it all feel so intense. “It’s about that feeling of wanting everyone to suddenly expect nothing from me,” Ivy says. “There’s this strange sense of relief in imagining a version of life where I stop trying — it feels almost joyful, even though it comes from frustration.”