Evan Mike is a pop phenomenon that you can't forget. The young 17 year old from Long Island is only just starting in his career, but has already proved himself as a serious artist and content creator. Evan Mike’s magnetic charm pulls in a broad audience, and his catchy yet distinctive melodies catch the ear of each and every listener.
Evan has an unbelievable work ethic, having already released 14 singles in his early career. He writes and produces all of his own music, and Evan Mike has demonstrated his impressive set of skills throughout all of his projects. The future is bright for this young artist, and fans of Evan can expect huge things coming up in his career.
Evan Mike has just released his first ever EP, titled “im just chillin,” where he dives into a more alternative sound. He is entering a new era of his music career with music that is more honest than ever before. Evan speaks the truth that every listener is looking to hear, and his youthful yet introspective songwriting depicts the modern teenage experience without filter.
The three song EP covers a broad range of emotions through specific storytelling. Songs like “close my eyes” capture the feelings of insecurity and self doubt that we all can relate to, and the vulnerability in this collection of work makes an audience feel seen. This EP puts the singer’s genre-defying style on full display, and you can believe us when we say that there is something for everyone in Evan Mike’s music.
Evan Mike is wise beyond his age. Although the singer is only 17 years old, he seems to have a mature perspective on the inner workings of the music industry and a clear vision for the role that he would like to play in it. Don't be surprised when you see him selling out stadiums down the line, as the refreshing talent and motivated spirit that Evan Mike carries will bring him all the way to the top.
We were able to sit down with Evan in an interview to talk about his new EP “im just chillin” and hear about his influences and experiences in the music industry. Scroll down to read the full interview and listen to the EP!
This must be a really exciting time for you with the upcoming release, how are you feeling at the moment? Talk me through what's going through your head as you approach the release date.
I'm pretty calm about it. I'm excited to share the music and I feel like I'm speaking a lot more truth and honesty than I have in past songs. I'm excited for people to hear a side of me that is a little bit more open.
How long has this EP been in the works for?
I was having a lot of songs that I didn't finish. It felt like I was overthinking a lot and I just wanted to write, so I ended up writing three songs in like a week. Then throughout this month I’ve been finishing them up. So it's literally taken like a month and a half. With a lot of songs in the past, I would have this burst of inspiration and then I would spend a lot of time re-listening to the song and thinking, ‘is this good enough?’ I just needed to put all that overthinking to the side and write what I really felt. So that's what this whole EP is about.
"I just needed to put all that overthinking to the side and write what I really felt. So that's what this whole EP is about."
What can tease or preview about the EP that might make fans excited for what they can expect?
The whole EP is much more of an alternative style. Around two months ago, my mom was telling me about how she loves new wave music and how she would always listen to Duran Duran. So I went into a search on Spotify to look through all these 80s and late 70s new wave songs. I was really inspired by The Smiths. I really loved the moving bass and the fun melodies. That was something that I wanted to get down with this EP.
Do you feel like you have been trying to be more experimental with your sound in this EP?
Yeah, definitely. I think it sort of conditions the fans to be open to any style of music that I make, and it allows me to truly express myself. I just want to broaden my scope as much as possible. The first song on the EP is called “close my eyes,” and it talks about me being on the internet and reading all these shitty pitchfork reviews and comments on artists that I love. Reading those things messes with my head sometimes. But I felt that if I just closed my eyes and didn't read these comments, I wouldn't be thinking so negatively and second guessing myself.
There is all kinds of internal and external pressure when you work in this industry. How would you define success in your career?
When I started making music, all I cared about was the numbers. I wanted to see my Spotify at 10,000 listeners instead of 200. I started to get to a point where my audience was growing online, but it didn't really fulfill much to me. Everything that has actually meant anything to me are the real people that I'm connecting with. So that's the only thing I've been concerned about the past few months.
"Everything that has actually meant anything to me are the real people that I'm connecting with. So that's the only thing I've been concerned about the past few months."
What aspect of what you do is most rewarding to you? Is it the songwriting process, production stages, performing, or releasing music?
I started making music because it makes me feel a different type of way. I also can't deny that I loved the attention for it, you know? The fact that I can put music out or post something on my story and I have fans to connect to and talk about it with is obviously my favorite part.
If you could describe this EP in three words, what would they be?
There's a young feeling, but with some introspection. It's not just ignorance about being young. Three words that I think sum it all up are young, fun, and honest.
Can you describe your typical process for writing a song from start to finish?
It depends on the style of songs. With a lot of the pop songs that I've made, I start with playing the keys on my computer into Logic and then come up with a melody off of that. I sometimes have a word that I start with when writing but I can't really dictate where it goes after. It's really all a work in progress until the end. For this EP, everything has been done right here in my studio. I was playing all the top melodies on my guitar here, and then I also had a friend named Sam from my high school play bass on one of the songs. I mix all my stuff myself here too.
Do you have a favorite memory or moment that sticks out to you in the creative process?
Yeah, on one of the songs on the EP called “okay,” I really wrote the truth. When I listened back to it for the first time, I was jumping all over the place. That's the best part of making music for me. That feeling when you make a hit song, it's better than anything else in the world. I was happy that I was able to write the honest lyrics and put aside any nervous thoughts.
Do you find it difficult or scary to be so vulnerable in your writing?
I have been vulnerable in the past, but I usually tried not to be very specific. So yeah, it's a little bit scary. But I have fans out there that reach out to me and say that they love my music, so that's what I'm putting it out for.
What do you hope that your fans walk away with after listening to your music?
I want them to walk away feeling like I'm being genuine. I'm trying to put the real me out there, and I want to get that across in my music.
What is the best piece of advice someone in the industry has ever said to you?
The best piece of advice I've gotten is to be your honest self. I’m not creating any gimmick with my music. I'm just trying to have the good music speak for itself. If people like me, then that's good. If they don't, that's okay too.
Are there any artists or albums that you were listening to during the creation of the EP that may have had an impact on its sound?
A lot of the vibes that I wanted to capture in this EP are those early Mac Miller albums. I wanted to capture that young feeling. I'm not trying to be anybody else, but I really just take stuff from every part of music that I listen to.
Do you come from a musical household? Was making music always something encouraged for you since a young age?
Nobody was telling me to go play music, but my parents were openly playing music all of the time. When my dad is home, he loves playing old disco hits, and my mom is a huge new wave and classic rock fan. I got a lot of early influence from that music, but when I was around 13 or 14, I came across artists like Bryson Tiller, J. Cole, Travis Scott, and A$AP Rocky. Trapsoul by Bryson Tiller was a super influential album for me growing up. I just loved rap music, and I was never one to follow exactly what people around me were listening to. I was always kind of in my own little bubble.
Is there a moment in your life where you realized that you wanted to seriously pursue being a musician?
So in the eighth grade, I was suspended for a week and I had a lot of time stuck in my room. I was watching these interviews online, and I specifically remember watching a Tyler, the Creator interview where he was talking to Larry King about his career and the golf brand. All of the sudden, this random feeling came up on me that make me think maybe this was what I’m supposed to do. No one really understood it at first, and it's not like I was sharing it with everybody quite yet, but I was like, ‘this is what it is for me.’ A lot of things connected after that.
How do you stay motivated to keep writing and continue being creative?
The motivation really just comes from wanting to be a well known artist. I want to be super influential. It comes down to wanting to make the best music possible. I want to make a better song every time, and if I'm having issues with that, I'm working through it. I'm making 100 more songs, and I'm really trying to perfect my craft.
"I want to make a better song every time, and if I'm having issues with that, I'm working through it. I'm making 100 more songs, and I'm really trying to perfect my craft."
What is one song or album that you wish you had written?
I'd love to take credit for any Drake album, but I would have to say “Take Care” by Drake.
What are your short term goals for your career?
I just want to reach more fans. It's not about the numbers. It's about the real people that I'm connecting with who reach out saying, ‘Hey, I played your song this morning.’ When I hear that people are sad and playing my music or listening to my song at a party, that's what really matters to me. I have my own show coming up on March 4th in the Long Island area, and I'm opening for another artist on February 27th. In the next few months, I'm going to be trying to reach out to the fans in Boston as well, which I’m really excited for.
What can fans of your music look forward to in the near future?
After I put out the EP, I'm going to put out a row of dance singles. I'm really excited for people to see all the different sounds that I can have. Also, I'm working on my voice and I’m working on the music and mixing. It's a daily process of me looking to improve my craft.
“im just chillin” is now available for streaming on all platforms!