With a voice weathered by experience and a pen sharpened by decades of thoughtful reflection, Vincent Poag returns with his most introspective work to date—The Unknown. This latest album weaves together ballads, gospel, and Americana into a deeply personal exploration of life’s unpredictability. Steeped in his Long Island upbringing, Broadway dreams, and reverence for classic American songwriting, The Unknown captures the bittersweet comedy of human existence—its joy, absurdity, and unanswerable questions. In this exclusive conversation, Vincent reflects on the inspirations behind the album, the role of imagination and memory in his music, and the enduring power of storytelling in uncertain times.
The Unknown feels like both a dream and a diary. Can you walk us through the spark that ignited this album? What questions about life were you chasing when you began writing it?
In the song “The Unknown,” I’m trying to paint a comical picture of a recurring theme. It’s the variety, the absurdity, and the unpredictability of all the overwhelming odds we all face day to day. The most glaring irony is that we have no idea what tomorrow has in store for us. Good things are easy to deal with but are mostly taken for granted. It’s coping with the unforeseeable chaos caused by uncertainties like pandemics, earthquakes, medical surprises, crazy leaders, etc. The things that hit us without warning are what I’m satirizing. People are pretty amazing to survive and persevere through all the stuff thrown at them. Try to imagine an Irishman (with a heavy Irish accent) in pain in an emergency room screaming over and over, “Where’s my fucking doctor?” and that’s the inspiration behind this.
The lyric “All aboard, buckle up for the ride of your life” from the title track is so evocative. What does The Unknown mean to you personally? Is it fear, freedom, or something in between?
It means there’s so much more we don’t know than what we do know, particularly about where things go from here, so make sure you’re well harnessed because this roller coaster has unimaginable highs and lows, twists and turns, and its duration is a mystery. It also means take it day by day, see the beauty around you, dance in the rain, relish the ride, and smell the roses. The unknowns I’m referring to are what we cannot be prepared for or control.
The lyric videos for “The Unknown” and “Tabernacle Inn” are visually striking. What was the visual direction behind those pieces? Were you involved in their creation?
For both videos, we worked closely with the videographer, but I directed and choreographed each scene with the help of my wife and personal assistant. We tried to create visuals consistent with the intended messaging.
You’ve mentioned the influence of Broadway, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles. How do those early inspirations still shape your songwriting today?
It’s hard to say. Growing up with these artists and their music are influences that get ingrained in you. These are geniuses who influenced a generation and made the world a better place. It certainly brought a plethora of pleasure to many millions. I’d like to think they’ve made me more tasteful with melodies and lyrics in my songwriting, but listeners would be the best judge of that.
There’s a clear emotional throughline in your ballads—especially in “This Love of Mine” and “Oh What a Beautiful Girl.” Where do those stories come from? Are they rooted in memory, imagination, or both?
Mostly from my wife, who has been an inspiration and the love of my life. She has a wonderful one-of-a-kind personality, as chronicled in my song, “45 Mile An Hour Girl.” She’s a total class act who doesn’t dish the dirt. (She’ll be reading this, so I’m getting escape from jail free cards and brownie points.) I think she would have made a great talk show host or therapist. Not sure what she’s doing with me. Of course, you also can’t discount or underestimate the power of a healthy imagination. Otherwise, it’s the feelings I have for all the other loved ones in my life that have influenced my songs.
What’s one mystery in life that still keeps you up at night—and might inspire your next album?
Nothing keeps me up, but I certainly don’t sleep as well or as long as I used to. I just recently became a grandfather, so there’s more to love and be concerned about in that regard. It could be a new song there for sure. I’m not a worrier by nature. I generally think positively and believe things will work out in a given time. In the meantime, all you can do is the best you can. I love America. I believe it’s represented a beacon of decency for civilization in the world. I’m concerned it’s lost its way for a bit, not unlike any of us. I’m hopeful however, ideals like justice and democracy will ultimately prevail.
If you could give one piece of advice to younger artists trying to tell honest stories through music, what would it be?
In order to be true to yourself and your art, you may need to get a day job.
Finally, what do you hope listeners take away after journeying through The Unknown?
A laugh, a smile, a sigh, a pang, a tear.
Stream the album now and let its stories, melodies, and mysteries guide you through your own unknown.
