Pop singer songwriter Evan Mike just released his brand new EP Ocean Parkway. Fans of Evan can be excited for songs that bring his musicality and creativity to another level, filling in his artistic vision that he's been reaching for since his debut. Inspired by the world and people that surround him, Evan is providing an honest account of his experience as a young adult dealing with obstacles related to romance, family dynamics, and maturity.
“I took on topics like family, my hometown, and people that have affected me growing up. I see this EP as more motivational and independent. I'm taking a different direction than what I’ve written in the past and I've tried to be more mature with my music.”
Born in Long Island, Evan Mike recently made the move to Philadelphia to pursue a degree in Music Industry at Drexel University. Inspired by his new environment, the young singer’s sound is evolving with him. At just 18 years old, Evan Mike is in full control of his artistry and image. His music is entirely self-produced, and Evan is in charge of every step of the process for the projects he releases. Ocean Parkway will be the second EP Evan has put out in his discography, following his release of i'm just chillin last February.
Ocean Parkway is a 3 song collection of music that comments on a variety of emotions as the listener follows Evan on his journey to self improvement. He has always been able to make strong connections with his audience due to his youthful charm and indisputable authenticity. His newest EP is led by fearless honesty, and the music will undoubtedly make an impact on each and every listener.
"It's about thinking about what the next move is and how I'm going to prove myself to everyone that told me I could do this.”
Each of the songs detail Evan’s bittersweet mindset as he launches into a new era of his life and career. The first song, titled “On My Mind,” is a haunting mid-tempo track where Evan gets real about how the journey to success can be isolating at times. “Well Wishes” can be taken as a goodbye to his hometown, following his eagerness as he enters adulthood. Lastly, “While I'm Here” is an upbeat tune that conjures authenticity as he talks about his motivation for success.
“It was a much different feeling. I feel like I was really happy with the way I was able to talk about my goals. Instead of being worried about girls and stupid shallow things like I might have in my past writing, I was able to take things a little deeper this time and talk about things that were more important such as family, my hometown, and the friends I've grown up with."
The professionalism that Evan Mike has on his music and future regardless of his youth makes him stand out in the R&B music scene. His persistent work ethic and committed creativity have allowed him to soar in his music career. Evan’s music puts an alternative flare on the modern pop and R&B genres, blending together a multitude of musical influences to curate a striking sound. Evan’s genuine passion for the art that he produces is refreshing, and his unmoving confidence is sure to bring him success.
We were recently able to sit down with Evan to talk about Ocean Parkway and how he feels he has developed artistically over the last few years. Scroll down to read the full interview!
What are you most excited for people to hear on Ocean Parkway?
“I'm excited for people to hear more about me and my life. I took on topics like family, my hometown, and people that have affected me growing up. I see this EP as more motivational and independent. I'm taking a different direction than what I’ve written in the past and I've tried to be more mature with my music.”
How do you feel like your music has developed since your last release? I feel like you've already switched some stuff up since the last time we talked this summer.
“I'm getting more into the rap and R&B sound. I listened to a lot of The Weeknd and PartyNextDoor during the time that I was making these songs, so that kind of music was a huge inspiration. When I listen to this, I can better understand where my sound is headed going forward.”
Do you identify with a specific genre of music?
“I can never settle into a certain genre. I can go to a live show and be like “I wanna do that,” but this feels very right for me. Rap music is definitely always going to be incorporated in my sound. I'm really focused on making high quality music and trying to make the music that I want to hear at this time of my life. I'm getting older, and I don't feel like a kid anymore.”
You recently made the transition to college and to a new city. How are these changes affecting you as an artist and in your personal life?
“Being here and being independent has made me relate to the songs and lyrics even more.”
What is the one thing that you hope people walk away with after listening to this EP?
“I think people that have distinct goals and aspirations and want better for themselves will really relate to this. This music comes a lot from times of me driving late at night in my car in my hometown. I mention my hometown a lot in this EP, and Ocean Parkways is about this road that I used to drive with my friend right by the beach. My friend had a convertible mustang, and I actually put that on the cover of this EP. It's about thinking about what's the next move and how I'm going to prove to everyone that told me I could do this.”
Does this EP follow a certain storyline, or is it more a collection of moments in time and ideas over the last bit of your life?
“There is no main storyline. I think the whole idea is driving around at night alone and having these thoughts. I’m a person that likes to laugh and have fun, but I can be serious almost to a bad point. I take the music thing very seriously, and its hard to talk to someone else about it when they don't understand the seriousness that I take it to. I have this vision, and I don't expect people to always see it but that's okay because I have myself, and I know what I want to do.”
Did you collaborate with anyone for this release?
“Max Lebrun mastered the songs on this EP, but I did all of the writing, production, and mixing.”
What is your opinion on the role of a college education in the music industry? How has your experience been so far as an aspiring recording artist in a collegiate music program?
“I'm very happy about being around people with the same mentality that I have. No one back home had taken music as seriously as I was. Here, that is just the basic expectation. I want to have fun, but also keep that motivation and take things seriously. I think you need to know a lot of the stuff we are learning, but the networking that you get here is really what takes it to the next level. You also have to understand what other people are doing. I can see someone walking around and be like ‘damn, that person is so recognizable, I need to make a name for myself that is that recognizable.”
You have also been able to do some shows recently, can you talk a little bit about that experience?
“I opened for Danny G and Michael Waves, who are some up-and-coming artists, and it was a great opportunity. I reached out to their manager and ended up doing four shows with them. I did a good amount of traveling. I started on Long Island, then two days later we were in Lancaster, and then the next day there was one in Pittsburg, and then two days after that I ended in Ohio. It was cool to be a part of actual touring; seeing the load-ins, and talking to as many people as possible. It was really beneficial, and I got quite a few connections.”
What part of your job do you find most rewarding?
“My favorite thing is when you make that song in your room, and you get that specific feeling, it surpasses every other feeling for me. My happiest state is when I've made a good song and I listen back to it and I'm just like ‘holy shit’. It's great when people tell you that you’re good or people tell you what you think you are, but that feeling when you know that you wrote a hit is better than anything.”
What was different about the motivation behind this EP compared to your previous releases?
“It was a much different feeling. I feel like I was really happy with the way I was able to talk about my goals. Instead of being worried about girls and stupid shallow things like I might have in my past writing, I was able to take things a little deeper this time and talk about things that were more important such as family, my hometown, the friends I've grown up with, and specific people who have motivated me to keep going. When I wrote the songs on this EP, I would have the instrumentations and then I would do a freestyle flow with the melody. I wanted to focus more about getting what I wanted to say across.”
How long have these songs been in the works for?
“It actually took me a while. I started writing in May. Writing the lyrics took me the longest because I wanted to make sure I said what I needed to say. I didn't want to throw together lyrics and call it a day when I could have made something way more introspective. I just wanted to show that I have a talent and that I have something to offer to much instead of surface level writing that a lot of other rappers could put out.”
Do you find it difficult to be so vulnerable in your music?
“No. If you have a thought that says ‘I shouldn't say that,’ then you definitely should. Songwriting is great therapy. I’m trying to be someone that 13 year old me could look up to and be motivated by. When I was growing up, there were only people really far away that were way beyond my position for me to look up to. There is a whole lot of gatekeeping in the music industry about how artists get to where they are.”
If you coil have your ideal situation, where would you be and what would you have accomplished 5 years in the future?
“I believe in manifestation, and 5 years down the line, I can see myself as a big artist. I see myself speaking my mind and being someone that people in my hometown can look up to in the way I wished there was someone when I was growing up. My goal is to be at a point where I can say that I’ve done a lot to inspire people.”
Click the link below to listen to Ocean Parkway out now on all streaming platforms.
Make sure to follow Evan Mike on Instagram and TikTok to stay updated on his upcoming releases, and check out his Youtube to see all of his previous projects.