A Dirty Dozen with EVA X – November 2019

According to a recent press release: “Canadian synthpop artist EVA X proudly presents her new digital-only EP, Electrowoman. Electrowoman was recorded and produced by Gaby Marie. It was mixed by Shane Stephenson and Chris Lacroix, and mastered by Chris Lacroix.  EVA X is delighted to present two remixes as well, one of “Virtualsexua” l by Edmonton’s Virtual Terrorist, and one of “Subsume” by Philadelphia-based Silver Walks. The artwork for Electrowoman was created by Edmonton-based artist Konn Lavery.” We get Eva discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

So, Electrowoman is my first release as sole writer, composer, and musician/producer. I really struggle to sum it up in a few words, as it ended up pretty diverse, both in terms of the musical elements- I don’t think there’s a single sound that was used twice, other than my voice– and in the subject matter.  One little nugget I’m proud of is the wordplay on Virtualsexual – yes, “extemporal” is a word, and it actually works in context. It means “done without premeditation” or “spontaneous”, so basically, the first line of the chorus is “love is spontaneous”. I’m a pretty big English geek, so being able to pull that off pleased me. Also, if you listen really, really carefully to “Virtualsexual,” you might hear a cat meowing in the background while I’m singing.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve loved singing since I was a small child, but I played it pretty safe in my early years – I played some piano and sang in choirs, etc, but I chickened out from studying music in university and took engineering instead. After I got my degree, I had a moment where I thought “well, now what do I want to do?” and for me the answer was clear – I’d missed music terribly in school, and wanted something, anything to play or sing. I ended up not having to look hard – my brother had just started putting together a band and needed a guitarist. So, I learned how to play guitar and started picking up gigs with him. I’ve been picking things up and learning them ever since.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Two experiences really stick out to me. My first concert was Nightwish, and they’re still a big influence on my style and taste. I want to sing like Floor Jansen when I grow up – her versatility and sheer skill is awe-inspiring.  A few years later, I saw a band called iVardensphere open for Juno Reactor in my city. I later learned the show was a spin-off of their material, where their main writer/producer created an improvised electronic/dance set live. In essence, he brought out this small table of synths, and proceeded to create an entirely original set right in front of us. I was absolutely fascinated and blown away. That set’s probably the biggest reason that Eva X exists in the form it does today.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Nightwish, Amorphis, Shiv-R, Boy Harsher, and Bjork.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I’m struggling hard to pick one person. I think it would have to be Bjork, though. She has such a unique vision, and she’d be really cool to learn from.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I once had a fan describe me as “like a lighter Nine Inch Nails”. It’s flattering, but… no. If I’m trying to describe it, I’d say it’s very cerebral synthpop. Music for people who think too much, but also like dancing.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

For me, it’s the thrill of creating and performing, of making new sounds and new songs. It’s like nothing else.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I get the food and drinks, and my cat steals my food and bangs on my things. The downsides of being a solo artist! When I meet up with Chris Lacroix, who plays synths for me live, usually he busts out the (strong) drinks first.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I met Pete Crane of Shiv-R at an industrial festival earlier this year. I was working with a group documenting the festival. I had to get over it quickly.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I’m fortunate that I get to work with computers during the day. I’m lucky that my job is flexible and gives me a lot of room to create stuff. So I don’t know if I would change anything.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Honestly, no – even my eight months singing Ariana Grande covers in a pop ensemble was useful, even if it wasn’t my favorite thing. I had to prepare up to two hours of singing – including some pretty tricky harmonies sometimes – and choreography with very little time to nail it. It really lit a fire under me to pursue Eva X – if I could work this hard and pull off a good performance of songs I honestly didn’t care for, what could I do with music I loved?

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would choose Amorphis’ Tales from the Thousand Lakes. Might be an obscure choice, but it’s an album that influenced a lot of the sounds and musicians I absolutely love, and it would be so cool to see that play out from the creative side.

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Category: Interviews