Start listening to: evenson

The U.S.-based artist chats with Still Listening about his debut record ‘Eve’ - including what it means to him, and what he hopes it can mean to his listeners.

Evenson makes music that is perfect for the beginner meditator: for those who want to lie down, close their eyes, and corral in their thoughts, but find the average ‘quiet your mind’ playlist understimulating enough to either provoke stabs of restlessness or the sudden need for a nap. About as exciting as it gets for an album one can believably meditate to, his first full-length record ‘Eve’ perhaps steps into that description more confidently than ever before. Throughout its 10-track run, glasspane synths, full-bodied piano, and trotting, soft-footed snare fishtail underneath rich, measured R&B damp-shower acoustics contemplations; all put together, ‘Eve’ leaves enough unsaid for a relaxed and forgiving meditative experience while still being ambitious enough to meaningfully guide it. Below, Evenson reflects on the growth milestones that ‘Eve’ marked for him, the goals that he is still working toward, and what he hopes the album can mean to others.

The current singer-songwriter R&B scene is enormous and renowned - but are there any particular ways you try to depart from it stylistically, or repetitive sonic ideals that you try to avoid emulating in your work?

I think R&B is incredibly deep and expansive in both expression and presentation. I don’t think too consciously about how my music is going to be styled, mainly because everything I produce will ultimately be uniquely singular to my artistic voice. As long as that remains consistent, I don’t think the categorization matters too much.

Have you ever heard your music described in a way that surprised you?

What an interesting question! I’d say the comparison that has surprised me the most is early Coldplay. I can understand and hear the reference, but I’m honestly surprised by how much it has stuck with me over the years. It’s definitely not one I ever expected to follow me this closely.

What is the biggest compliment someone could pay to this album?

The biggest compliment someone could give this album is that they keep coming back to it. That would mean the record has found a place in their life and has become meaningful enough to revisit. That, to me, means everything.

What is a technical skill that you are still working to expand?

A technical skill I’m looking to expand is my guitar playing. I think adding another voice to my creative vocabulary will only make my writing more cerebral and expansive. But like most things worthwhile, it takes time, so I’m enjoying the process of developing it.

Tell me about a sonic risk you took on the record that really paid off.

One sonic risk I took on this record was choosing not to use Auto Tune on a few of the singles. I wanted to preserve the spirit and emotional integrity of those records, so I left the vocals largely untouched. It felt important to allow the imperfections to exist, and I think that decision really paid off.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with, and why? Sky’s the limit!

An artist I’d love to collaborate with is Magdalena Bay. I think the record we’d make together would sound completely out of this world. They’re a huge inspiration of mine, and I think there’s a really exciting creative language that could exist between us.

What do you think is the most significant point of growth in this album from ‘SADLY, I STILL LOVE YOU’?

I think the most significant growth from this record compared to the last is the lack of “performance.” I tried to rely far more on the notion of “existence,” simply existing and telling things as they are. That meant relying less on the production to communicate an emotion and far more on the expression itself. I wanted the songs to feel lived in rather than performed.

Is there a particular feeling you tried to impart upon the listener throughout the album?

A feeling I really tried to impart on this album was one of lightness and nature. I wanted the record to feel easy and inviting, like something people could naturally find themselves within. In a way, I wanted it to function as both a mirror and a portal to their
innermost selves.