Introducing singer-songwriter Evie Calabasas
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
Hiya, my name is Evie Calabasas and I’m a young Italian singer-songwriter. I’ve always been in love with music and started playing guitar at the age of six because I forced my parents to buy me one! I first got into singing when I was about 13 and that was also when I wrote my first song. I remember it was a silly song that I wrote for my best friend’s surprise birthday party and I still recall the feeling of having all of my friends learning the song and singing it all together in front of her. I think that feeling is what I’ve been trying to achieve ever since.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
My new single is called “OMG” and I wrote it about a year ago, after a conversation I had with a friend about her recent break-up. It may seem quite sad or depressing, but it’s in fact all about letting go and allowing yourself to feel miserable, because it’s all part of the healing process. I wrote melody and lyrics on my guitar at first, but then I sent it to my long-time friend and producer Lorenzo, who transformed it into the electro-pop gem that it is now. This is also the first single I am releasing as a signed artist with the London-based independent record label The Animal Farm.
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
There are many records that really inspire me and hold a special place in my heart for different reasons, but the one that changed my life is definitely “+” by Ed Sheeran. His emotional and intimate songwriting is what really got me into writing myself. I think I must have listened to the album a gazillion times because I was completely in awe of his ability to play the guitar and sing at the same time so effortlessly, and of the way he conveys his feeling into the story, as if it’s like watching a whole movie.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
Yes, I do! I really love “John Hughe’s Movie” video by Maisie Peters because it’s like a whole movie fit into 3 minutes! Full of emotions, a bit splatter and with incredible visuals: what else do you need from a music video? On the other hand, among my music videos, I think I like “Red Dress” the most because I got to film it with my incredible friends, who are actually really good at acting, and it’s very DIY, but we had a lot of fun!
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
You will definitely find me studying Russian or English literature, as they are part of my university courses at the moment. Otherwise, you will find me in the kitchen cooking for my flat mates, or at the park trying to improve my basketball or skateboard skills. Thankfully, I have very talented friends who are always willing to teach me cool stuff!
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
When I was very little, I used to get very sick 15 minutes before getting on stage and there was nothing I could do about it. Now I still get nervous, but I try to keep it under control in many different ways: talking to friends, doodling on whatever I have in front of me or playing something on my guitar usually help a lot to distract me, but the number 1 rule is avoid making eye-contact with my mother, because she is very supportive indeed, but she always gets very nervous, even more than I do!
HOW DO YOU WRITE?
I usually start with an idea or inspiration that I have in mind and the lyrics come out pretty much naturally. Then with my guitar I try to come up with a catchy melody that can fit the meaning of the story I want to tell. If the song is good enough for me, I then send it to my producer Lorenzo, who can usually understand how I want the song to sound like even with just a few words, it’s like he can read my mind.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I find it way harder to talk about my personal feelings, and obviously sometimes I do, but usually I write about my friends’ experiences or things that surround me, random people that I see on the street, but also books and movies, as I find very interesting to try to develop a secondary character’s point of view.
WHAT IS NEXT?
At the moment, I’m working on so much new music and you can expect at least three more singles in 2021. In fact, since my last EP, I’ve changed genre and I tried to develop a new style for me as an artist, so now I’m trying to build a solid foundation for my music and to reach new audiences, because I can’t wait to play my songs live and I’d like everything to be ready and perfect.
PLEASE TELL US ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SO WE CAN SHARE.
If you want to know more about me and my music, you can follow me on my social media:
https://www.instagram.com/eviecalabasasmusic/
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMech75KQ/
https://www.facebook.com/eviecalabasasmusic https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwSTMf2ecZ7igPv8izWyPrQ https://open.spotify.com/artist/2FHvyMMfiZSl7ryFjvHGZH?si=FnOHy7OBTc2C-2DT2T9Wmg