By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Highlighted by tracks “7LUNGS (Feat. Slim Gong)” and “Isolation (Feat. Deborah Grandi)” Souvlaki’s latest EP ‘Continued Survival’ demonstrates his emotional vulnerability and musical versatility, as he explores eclectic sounds influenced by hip-hop and dark synth-wave.
Described as his “first organic work,” the ‘Continued Survival’ name refers to his artistic maturity rather than the COVID-19 pandemic, something he is now happy to unveil to the world.
The Music Bugle had the chance to talk with him about ‘Continued Survival’ and more.
Music Bugle – What was it like making your ‘Continued Survival’ EP?
Souvlaki – Stressful. I put everything in the writing process. It’s my second EP, so I was continuously comparing it with the previous work. I tried to make it better and also sound different. Moreover, I finally got the chance to put a rap featuring on one of the songs. In the previous EP, I wasn’t able to find the right collaboration. In the end, I’m happy about the result. Now, I hope you will also like it!
Music Bugle – Which of your songs were the hardest to write?
Souvlaki – I would say “Isolation.” I always loved the song. The vocal line is very cool. I also like the bass line very much, but for a long time, there was something in the arrangement of the drum machines which drove me crazy. During the recording session, we worked a lot on it and I think in the end, we found the right way to get the best from the song. It is also quite hard to play live for me. I struggle a lot with the metronome.
Music Bugle – What has been your biggest challenge lately?
Souvlaki – Music-wise, it was to convince myself to record the new EP. My girlfriend was very supportive on this point. For a long time, I had had a negative feeling with the songs, especially with the most emotional ones. Only with “Wake Me Up,” I had a perfect feeling from the beginning. In general, I’m quite exhausted by the pandemic and publishing an album staying alone at home is not the best thing I’ve experienced lately.
Music Bugle – How exactly have you been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Souvlaki – It’s hard to say. Right now, as I said before, I’m quite exhausted, but fortunately, my family is fine and my job is not affected by this pandemic, so with a broad look at the situation, I’m very lucky music is not my primary income, while I have friends with tours cancelled and they are quite negative about their future.
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt musicians?
Souvlaki – It depends. In my case, I’m not a good influencer, so it does not help so much.
Music Bugle – Where do you go when you need to escape?
Souvlaki – At the “Caffè Jazz,” a small pub for smokers where you can take a seat alone at the bar counter drinking a beer and reading something. It’s a magic place. Or during the day, I like to spend time walking around and listening to music, in the mountains or by the lakes nearby my house.
Music Bugle – Away from music, what’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
Souvlaki – I like aquariums and I hate Python?
Music Bugle – What’s something you wish happened more in today’s music industry?
Souvlaki – I don’t know. I’m not really into the music industry. I think now for small bands – like mine – surviving with the income of the streaming services is not possible. I’m really thinking about subscription services, like Patreon, to raise some money to invest in the project. If you think there are similarities between YouTubers and the small bands, both of them cannot rely on the incomes from the services used to provide their contents.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Souvlaki – I would take a look at my six recently added Spotify artist’s albums – Death Grips, Aphex Twin, Rei Harakami, Eartheater, Polyphia and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
Music Bugle – What do you hope for in 2021?
Souvlaki – The end of the pandemic.
*Photo Credit – ASA, Please*
