With a sound that looks to borrow from a broad and diverse array of genres and textures, fast-rising artist Evan de Roeper has now looked to cement his aesthetic to date with his glittering new EP 'Lavender'.
Channelling a sweet and seductive direction from start to finish, 'Lavender' makes for a wonderfully rich and enticing listen. Led up by the new single 'Midnight Drive', he looks to captivate and shimmer as often as possible on this compelling new collection.
So with the new EP out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his influences and inspirations over the years.
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What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
The first band would probably be Linkin Park. The ‘Meteora’ and ‘Minutes To Midnight’ albums followed me everywhere in the car when I was younger. I couldn’t sing along for some of the songs as my voice couldn't do what Chester Bennington did but I did try haha. Also my tiny mind couldn’t comprehend any of the raps either. It was cool though.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
Kind of. In secondary school we had something called ‘Rock School’ where we could form bands with our friends and perform throughout the school year. The songs that we performed were all covers but it was cool to be in a band and play along with each other. I wanted to be the vocalist but someone else took that role so I became the rhythm guitarist. I remember once not having a guitar pick for a lunch performance so I just put my thumb and index finger together and made it work. Not long into a song my fingernails were starting to bleed. It was bound to happen with metal strings and heavy strumming.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
I am inspired by storytellers. I love delving into different worlds. Other artists, authors, writers etc. I like how words can come to life especially when combined with music. I have played the piano since I was around 6 so it only felt natural that I would tell stories this way.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
I really like Ed Sheeran’s ‘I See Fire’ that was used in The Hobbit. I’m super into Fantasy books and he was able to convey the plot of the story into this song perfectly. This is the time of thing that I’m trying to achieve.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
The experience of making my first music video. I have recorded Youtube covers in my bedroom before but having someone else film and edit a video, for a song that is completely original, is a whole other story.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
There’s too many. If I had to pick one, then it’d be a Japanese Rock artist called Gackt. He is the reason that I want to perform live. His stage presence is phenomenal and awe inspiring.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Ed Sheeran, Knucks. When I collaborate with them, then I will know that my career has been a success.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In five years, I will be 29. By then I want to be putting on shows that capture the whole audience. I want people to be left speechless. Outside that, I want to produce an anime, create a fashion label, act in something, try out modeling, own properties in other countries. There’s quite a few but as long as I am making a living off music then I will be happy. Oh, I’d also want to have tried Rock music by then.
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Evan de Roeper's new EP 'Lavender' is available to stream now. Check out the video for lead single 'Midnight Drive' below.