Eva Kathryn

Continued…

Hardrock Haven: Being a solo artist could be seen as being free artistically but also very tough and a career full of doubt for some people. So, why did you choose to do a solo career than join in a band?

Eva Kathryn: I’m still at the beginning of my journey. Part of me wonders if it’s possible for band to come together and have a cohesive vision for an album … especially given the way I compose … with a score-like mentality. I love to play and collaborate with other people, though. It’s a real blessing. I have just always had a very specific direction I wanted to go with my first album. Being a solo artist and writer gives me the reins to follow my muse, and hope it takes me where I want to go. But to get there, I need the help of other artists, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to work with them.

Another reason that I approach music as a solo artist is that I grew up in a small town. It was really hard to find people who wanted to play the kind of music I was interested in! Thankfully, Bill Evans knew exactly where I was coming from, and really helped me organize my thoughts and writing to give my music purpose. I would sit and create an entire song with my piano and track all my string part ideas. Then, he would take it to the absolute next level … so the idea of a band was more for the performances later.

Hardrock Haven: I saw you have chosen some very talented musicians to work on your music. How was your collaboration like? Did they compose with you?

Eva Kathryn: There’s a group of amazing musicians who are bringing my music to life, beyond what I could have imagined!

Marco Minnemann played drums on nearly all my songs for this album. He seriously brought life to them. After listening back to his tracks, it was like I was hearing them for the first time. My anticipation for what happened next grew by leaps and bounds! I have so much respect for him as a human being. He really is a rare breed of person and artist. And friend.

Michal Mierzjewski (Symphonic Theater of Dreams, Jordan Rudess, Flying Colors) arranged strings alongside Bill for my song, “Awake.” He was so amazing that I asked him to work with Bill on the rest of the album, too. It made me very happy that he graciously accepted. Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse, Affector) has worked on some beautiful, impeccably recorded drums, as well. Daniel Fries (Affector) has performed some really sweet guitar, including the solo on “Awake.” Brendan McReynolds (Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder) has been doing recent vocal production, and providing lots of helpful feedback. Randy George (Neal Morse) will be playing some bass, which I’m really excited about, too!

In terms of songwriting, the only person I’ve (so far) worked with is Randy McStine (Lo-Fi Resistance, Sound of Contact). We just started two weeks ago, and he’s already brought some incredible creativity … especially with the bridge to a new song, “Mannequin.” He’s very gifted.

It’s a layered approach. I’ll sketch out a song in Logic, usually with a full arrangement and demo vocals. Bill and I then figure out what direction to the song should go (or is going). We’ll collaborate on arrangements, and he’ll add some instruments. When I’m happy with the final demo, we’ll reach out to these amazing people to continue the creative process, and bring the song to fruition.

Hardrock Haven: Could you describe the genre of your music?

Eva Kathryn: The term cross-over Prog comes to mind. Prog-pop? I don’t really have a genre … I don’t know. There are Prog elements in my songs, but I am not concerned with defining or blurring lines.

Hardrock Haven: As I could see, you’re working very hard on those new songs (with many vocal tracks). So what will it sound like? Will it be a kind of Devin Townsend result with a choir? Or will it be simpler?

Eva Kathryn: It’s hard to say. You’ll hear a lot of orchestral arrangements, complex playing (thanks to awesome collaborators), and a pop approach to melody. And there are a lot of choirs! Often, there’s some tricky production. It comes down to whatever the song needs, which will hopefully make for some very interesting listening.

As a writer, I always ask myself, “What is going to serve the song?” Then I just follow wherever that takes me. I don’t really know until the smoke clears. If a song is asking for big vocals, then there will be forklift full of tracks. But then again, sometimes less is more. I try to use what seems appropriate and not be afraid to make judgment calls.

As I listen to a “finished” song, I might worry that I didn’t sing this or that. At the end of the day, though, we can add and chop until the cows come home (which does happen where I’m from). I view my album in a snapshot of musical development at a moment in time. So, as long as I get that right, it will be fairly eclectic, just like I seem to be.

Hardrock Haven: Will you come to Europe to promote your work?

Eva Kathryn: (Laughs) Yes how sweet of you to offer! Let me pack a few things and will head to the airport! I really like to thank you, Christophe Pauly, for reaching out to me to do this interview. Merci beaucoup! I look forward very much to sharing my music with you, and everyone else.

Visit Eva Kathryn online: https://www.facebook.com/missevakathryn