Q&A: Evenson Explores New Love and Artistic Evolution in "WAITING FOR SUNSHINE"
EVENSON ENCAPSULATES THE EXHILARATION OF NEW LOVE IN HIS LATEST SINGLE "WAITING ON SUNSHINE”. The music video, directed by Jacob Rodier, adds a dynamic dance performance that complements the song's narrative.
Evenson's Haitian-American heritage strongly influences his artistry, allowing him to address intimate and profound themes. His viral track, "How Can I Sleep," marked a pivotal moment in his evolving music journey, leading to his upcoming EP, Sadly, I Still Love You, offering an immersive exploration of love.
Live performances are a top priority for Evenson, as he eagerly anticipates connecting with his fans. Looking forward, he seeks to inspire change and vulnerability through various artistic mediums, creating a world where children can be heroes of their own stories. Read below for our full interview iwth Evenson and learn all about “WAITING ON SUNSHINE”
LUNA: "WAITING ON SUNSHINE" captures the thrill of new love. Can you share more about the inspiration behind this song and what you hope listeners will take away from it?
EVENSON: This song through and through is about accepting the spirit of spontaneity and the frightful wonder that it presents. The song depicts a real encounter I had with a stranger earlier this spring; overlooking a gorgeous sunset we got to know each other pretty well. It’s a song about letting go and falling into yourself, free of concern and the worries that plague tomorrow, for here and now is all we’ll ever really have.
LUNA: Your music often delves into relatable emotional depth. How does this track explore the theme of new love, and what emotions were you trying to convey through it?
EVENSON: The story progresses as the song furthers along. Although I haven’t experienced many instances of true love in my lifetime, from my few experiences I’ve often been wrought with fear and hesitation. As I get older I’ve come to the realization that it’s much better to be as vulnerable as possible, for it’s easier to live with rejection if you’re being completely yourself. Once the song gets to the bridge, I’ve envisioned a future with this stranger and the faint possibility that a new tomorrow might emerge.
LUNA: Can you tell us about the creative process behind the video and how it enhances the message of the song?
EVENSON: We’ve long had the vision in mind of producing a dance video and this song seemed to be the perfect fit to explore the idea. Directed by Jacob Rodier, choreographed by Kristen-Innes Stambolic, I alongside dancer Sasha Speed, put together a contemporary performance that loosely coincides with the story and lyrics of the song, further animating and developing the audiovisual narrative of newfound love.
LUNA: You've mentioned that your Haitian-American heritage is a foundational part of your identity. How does this heritage influence your music and the themes you explore, such as intimacy and mental health?
EVENSON: Being a Haitian American is a large part of my artistic voice. I strive to be as fearless and courageous as my predecessors, for they had to spill blood to garner independence and freedom. Music is deeply rooted in the backbone of my heritage, it’s what we used to seek escapism from our oppressors, in hopes of building community and harmony amongst our own, resulting in a deeper rooted unbreakable bond. Such efforts had long lasting impacts on our community and people, men were expected to be strong and fearless, whilst women were expected to be the same and tend to their loved ones. Our heritage doesn’t have space for vulnerability and so through my various mediums of art I’ve taken it upon myself to be as expressive and transparent as I can possibly be in hopes that it’’’ encourage and inspire more like myself to do the same.
LUNA: Your previous track, "How Can I Sleep," gained viral success. How does this new single fit into your evolving musical journey, and what can fans expect from your upcoming EP, Sadly, I Still Love You?
EVENSON: I’m always looking to try new things with my approach to music making. This release alongside the previous few have felt like a sonic breakthrough for me as it pertains to writing, vocal production, and even music making. I believe there’s a clear cut difference between producing a sound and producing music. As a musician all you can really ask for is to find your way into the soundtrack of a person’s life, entering their human experience through the catharsis of your own, it feels like we did that with this release. With my upcoming debut EP, fans can expect a sonic and immersive experience with dynamic sequencing depicted lost and newfound love for the self and other, whatever that may mean to them in life.
LUNA: You've mentioned that performing live is a high priority for you. Can you share your excitement about performing these new songs with a live band and connecting with your audience in a live setting?
EVENSON: Performing live is huge priority for me, none of this matters without the direct engagement with fans. I get so excited at the thought of getting to perform these songs and interact with the people that have pushed me to continue making music. I owe my fans everything, I love them and words can never express how much gratitude I have for them; so I’m going to kill it out there.
LUNA: Looking forward, what are your goals and aspirations as an artist? Is there a specific message or impact you hope to achieve with your music?
EVENSON: As an artist, my goal is beyond music, is mission oriented. I want to be the artist that I’ve always aspired to be through my various mediums of art and inspire change. I intend to be as vulnerable as possible and immerse myself into forms of surrealist art weather that be through music, film, poetry and even fashion. By further incorporating themes of sci fi with African/Haitian cultural elements, I aim to develop an audiovisual world/reality where children that look like myself can be the heroes of their own universe, protecting the genius within them that society dares to strip them of.
