Quick bite! #3: Questionnaire with Stevan
producer, multi-instrumentalist, director Stevan answers some questions about his upcoming EP, Arrested Development
My last post featured an artist I recently checked out, Stevan. For the uninitiated, Stevan is a Burundi-Australian multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer. He hit the scene years back and has consistently released tunes during the 2020s. Thanks to Alec for hitting my DMs on Substack, I was able to share some questions I had about Stevan’s upcoming EP.
Ahead of the release, Stevan made some time to answer said questions about Arrested Development, which will hit streaming platforms on September 25th. With each question answered, I’ll insert a clip or photo that came to mind. Check it out below!
1. What have you listened to lately?
Everything [but] Moses Sumney has been on aggressive repeat
2. Where are you now? (locale, headspace, …)
focused I feel like I know where I’m going
3. What are you excited about?
The next 6 months can’t wait for everything to line up!
Arrested Development, EP + Place:
1. What does this upcoming EP title mean to you? (as it relates to the music you’re releasing) I have listened to your two latest releases by the way.
Thank you for tuning in. Arrested Development means being stuck at a certain stage of development. A struggle with growing up and maturing.
2. What’s been your songwriting process like for this latest EP?
Very strange. Some songs are really new and others are 3 years old. The writing process was much like the theme of the project, consistent growth!
3. Any collaborations underway?
Yes working with a few friends (skizzy mars) on some demos having a lot of fun!
4. I absolutely LOVE the visuals for this EP, how did those come together?
Summer was a huge inspiration/ moonrise kingdom the movie inspired the grade and aesthetics.
5. What’s inspiring you as a vocalist? How do you feel like your location influences your music, if at all?
Leon Thomas vocally has been a huge inspiration. I think the Sydney sun colours the EP if you walk around Bondi listening to it everything makes sense.
6. Is there anything that will come as a surprise to your fans about the upcoming EP? (not that you must reveal anything, I’m just nosey) Sound wise, lyrical structure, whatever comes to mind! What about nostalgia and memory draws you in as an artist?
I think maturity in the lyricism. A few songs feel very grown up which might surprise my fans. Nostalgia makes moments feel way more meaningful and intense that helps me draw out more emotions for songs.
7. What’s the music scene(s)/culture like in Sydney or Wollongong?
Sydney is super laid back but also suffocating in the sense that people hate on “trying hard”. Wollongong is much the same; a little slower, but I’d say better community. I love it there, it’ll always be home.
“Put me on / I put you on” segment:
1. Favorite artist (established or new) right now: America (the band)
2. Favorite director or movie right now: Tombstone as favourite movie right now
3. Favorite songwriter right now: James Fauntleroy
4. Any upcoming tours, special things coming up? Yes I’ve got a mini festival I’m playing [this Sunday] in Sydney Newtown!
Keep an eye out on his upcoming EP and enjoy his most recent single, “Sand Storm!”
https://too.fm/pndrgee
Thank you!! This is great!