Seeing Love In The Little Things with Evie Asio
I think it’s a special talent of an artist to be able to draw on sounds from the past, but also to infuse that with something of the present too. A throwback sound can be a comfort for the listener, but adding something new to it makes it fresh and exciting. This is especially possible when the artist is also self-producing their work. Let me tell you about Evie Asio and her new track ‘Available’.
Image Credit: Genesis Shalom
South-East London artist Evie Asio has already put out several projects, including her Always Known and Conclusion EPs, both available on her Soundcloud page. Meanwhile over the past couple of years on her YouTube account, Evie Asio has been releasing music under the banner ‘Songs From Home’. Separate from these projects is a standalone single called ‘Beautiful Love’, released in the summer of 2019.
Straight away I love that bassline accompanying Evie Asio’s dry voice, the bass would be a precursor to bringing in the rest of the band, setting the rhythm that becomes more apparent once the drums do their thing. There isn’t an overload of instruments here, you can separate everything off - there’s subtle electric guitar, perfectly placed percussion, and that piano sound is gorgeous. Evie Asio is also a pianist, but here ‘Beautiful Love’ is all about Asio’s soaring voice. Everything about her delivery is just right, knowing when to bring it down in line with the band, and when to give it her all. The way her vibrato kicks in as the note tapers off is spot on. However, if you thought the jazz sound of this record is all Evie Asio is about, then you’d be mistaken.
‘Pendulum’ is the first single from Evie’s upcoming debut album ‘Contending And Contention’, released on the eve of the first UK lockdown in March 2020. Immediately I’m reminded of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ in the sound of those keyboards! The funk here is real, listen on good speakers to feel the force of that bass guitar, but there are also the 80’s elements too - those extra keyboard sounds mainly. What’s really great is how Pendulum doesn’t go full 80’s on us, keeping the drums dry instead of the overblown reverb songs of that decade sometimes skirted into.
To me, the lead and backing vocals in this track are inseparable. Particularly the fast breakdowns, which I’ve written out here because it sounds so great with just bass guitar and percussion: ‘Stop for every minute, every second, a reflection, I’ve got to keep going, but my mind keeps holding it up. Can’t wait or see the end from the beginning, it’s got my head spinning like a Pendulum.’ This being the first single of Evie Asio’s album is so exciting. When an artist writes, arranges and produces a track like this, what else can we expect from a whole record?
The second single from Contending And Contention is ‘Available’, and Evie Asio’s latest offering - it couldn’t be more different from Pendulum. Available is loaded with atmospheric electronic sounds, completely removed from the more band orientated work she’s done before. When I first heard it, my thoughts jumped to a sound like soul and jazz band Sade.
The drums here are opened up with reverb, there’s palm-muted electric guitar, and the array of backing vocals still shine like before. Available is brooding and full of dynamic, at one moment full of shimmering keyboards and Asio’s huge vocal sound, then it all melts away leaving sonic space for snare rim shots to clatter and Evie Asio’s ever distinct basslines. I love the electric piano solo in the song’s conclusion, and while I wish the track didn’t fade out, it makes perfect sonic sense to do so.
Available is proof of Evie Asio’s versatility as an artist, writer, arranger and producer. With these small glimpses into Contending And Contention, I truly cannot wait for the full record. Our Q&A with Evie below offers more information behind the three tracks discussed here, as well as a broader look at the kind of artist Evie Asio is.
Image Credit: Genesis Shalom
1. Your latest single 'Available' is musically very different from your last track 'Pendulum', where were you when you began writing it?
I started writing Available the night I had come home from an open mic – there was a poet who had performed, and his words really hit me, which is what inspired me to start writing the chorus. It was at that point that I realised Available was probably not going to end up being a typical love song, so I decided to explore ideas about social injustice instead.
2. 'Available' is self-produced - who plays on this track? What was the recording process like?
The process was long! But so rewarding. The first draft of Available was actually finished in March 2020, but it wasn’t sitting right with me… and then we went into lockdown. In that time, I had 3 months of not being able to do anything to the track, after which I decided to break the whole production down and start again.
This track is about people, and so I wanted collaboration to be a big part of it; I am also fortunate to have so many talented musicians as friends. I recorded the foundation of the track with my live band (Alex Wesson, Rob Johnston, Twm Dylan, William Magabo) back in April 2019; most of those recordings are still on the final track. My friend Theresa Zaremba, who lives in Germany, is an incredible string player and arranger; I am still so honoured to get to work with her on songs like this. The backing vocals were supplied by three of my favourite singers and people: Jerome Serwanga, Sharyn Kyazze and Trudie Baganza. There were also sprinkles of my co-producer Michael Magambo in there… the list really does go on!
3. 'Pendulum' is a really great first single from your album, were there any particular artists that had a musical influence on that sound?
Absolutely – I definitely have a soft spot for nostalgia and retro sounds. At the time I was listening to a lot of Vulfpeck and Chromeo. More specifically, the use of percussion was inspired by MJ’s ‘Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough’, and the way I did the key changes at the end was actually from Martha Munizzi’s ‘Glorious’.
4. The artwork for 'Pendulum' and 'Available' is so interesting, who put those pieces together?
As the whole project is a concept album, I really wanted all the artwork to be connected. I contacted London-based illustrator Jael Umerah-Makelemi (Nubiart) as I really loved her style and her message. Each picture centres around the ‘Girl in the Blue Dress’, which is the main character throughout this story.
5. I love the sound of 'Beautiful Love', what inspired that track?
Thank you so much! As a singer/songwriter, my musical background is very much rooted in Jazz. The lyrics are about balancing the world that I see with what I believe the world can be - a beautiful place in which love and freedom can thrive and triumph over evil. The lasting message in the song is this: despite all that is going on, I still do believe in love.
6. It goes without saying that everyone is missing gigs, can fans expect a tour or some shows when restrictions lift?
I really do hope so! I am currently talking to a couple people about the possibility of some small shows when lockdown lifts, but right now my eyes are on going to see some gigs! I miss live shows so much.
7. What's a song you've been really into this past week? What do you like about it?
Everything that Laura Mvula is putting out! I am so glad that she has some new music out there, and it really looks like it’s on her terms. Apart from the obvious retro vibes, her music feels really free and heartfelt right now. Church Girl is my current jam.
8. We're just coming out of Women's History Month - who are the women that inspire you in your life?
My absolute greatest influences are my mum and my sister – growing up I was never short of examples of powerful and resilient women. Artistically, I have been shaped by so many singer/songwriters; Brooke Fraser, Corinne Bailey-Rae, Emily King, Janelle Monae, etc. Women are really changing the game when it comes to musical creativity and expression.
9. This past year has been a reflective time for all of us, what are you most thankful for in life right now?
To be alive, and to have the most amazing set of friends and family around me. Every single person in my circle is top-notch. I don’t know how I won the lottery in the friendship department, but I really do love to see it.
10. You have an album coming out this year! How does it compare to your older works like the 'Conclusion' and 'Always Known' EPs?
My earlier EP’s were much more experimental for me, and they gave me an opportunity to figure out who I am as an artist. This album is me owning who I am as an artist, and a producer. Every song is different, yet connected, and I am really excited to see people’s responses as the story unfolds.
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Listen to the music of Evie Asio on Soundcloud and YouTube.
Sign up to Evie Asio’s mailing list via her official website here.
Follow Evie Asio on Facebook and Instagram @evieasio and Twitter @evie_eves.
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