Evan Blum
Following up his single “Effortlessly”, Detroit native singer/songwriter/producer Evan Blum released his new single “No Reply” on September 25th.
Written and produced by Evan Blum and Cory Batchler, the catchy pop single invites the listeners to be more connected.
“In a day and age where social connection is the easiest and most accessible that it's ever been, it's ironic to me that so many of us feel disconnected. All of us are reaching out constantly. Sometimes all we get back is no reply. I have to admit I'm guilty of it too. The song is a call to action for us to try and feel more connected. Find ways to put the phone or computer or whatever technology down and actually look each other in the eyes and connect,” expresses Blum.
Signed to Trailing Twelve Records, the Los Angeles-based artist continues to express his versatility as a promising producer and songwriter.
“No Reply” is now available worldwide.
Introduce yourself - where are you from?
My name is Evan Blum and I’m from San Diego. Born in Detroit, Michigan.
What's your story?
I started writing songs when I was 18 years old at the very end of high school. Never in a million years would anyone have guessed I'd be this emotional artist singer-songwriter guy. In High School, I played sports and hung with friends but I never really was a person of depth.
I started out just writing funny joke songs that made fun of members of my family for fun. Slowly but surely music took control of my life and I started to become so incredibly passionate. I spent hours studying all the greats of music and going through centuries of albums. I’ve grown to be an artist who writes really personal emotional songs and it is the first thing in my life where I actually stepped away from my funny guy clown exterior and entered into a more serious realm of self-expression.
When did you start making music?
Age 18.
When did you decide to become an artist and release your original music?
When I got to LA and I found that writing for other artists, while an amazingly fun task, usually didn’t result in much. I began to become frustrated with other people controlling my destiny. So I began to release stuff myself. It took a while to build confidence and look at people and say “hey I’m an artist.” It can feel really cheesy and corny. But the truth is I AM an artist. Through and through. From the unstable high and lows oscillating from crippling to extreme world domination mentality all the way back to whispering into my iPhone at 3 AM some little idea I had that I secretly think “This is gonna be one…”
How did things change for you since your first release?
I have grown to become much more self-aware and willing to be vulnerable. My music and my voice have greatly improved I feel. I actually took some time a week ago and listened to all of my earliest stuff. I thought to myself “Wow! I really sucked” I’m so incredibly embarrassed that I put myself behind these songs with all my might. Hopefully, I won’t look back at this song and think the same thing!
"No Reply" is your new single - Could you describe us the songwriting/production process?
Songs are always inspired for me from a real-life moment or a real-life thought. I don’t remember when I came up with the idea but I know at the time I was newly single. So when you’re newly single you are making a lot of outreach calls! So heaven knows a lot of those calls and texts never saw a return. And you know what? Thank God they didn’t! Now, look at me with my fresh ass new single!
What do you like the most about this song?
I like how it's honest and vulnerable. I like how it conveys a real sober look at modern communication. Oh, and I also like how it’s catchy as hell!
What made you want to release "No Reply" as a single?
Because it sounds like a single! I mean for real, it's also where I'm at right now in my life. I’m constantly looking at things from a 3rd person view and thinking about things.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The artwork is a screenshot of an iPhone where I sent a text through to who knows! Of course, there is NO REPLY. It’s amazing to pull inspiration from somebody NOT saying something. It can go both ways!
What message do you want to convey through this song?
Honestly yesterday a friend and I went for a walk because we needed to have a discussion about a conflict. I left my phone at home. It was the best talk I've had in years. The message is to leave your phone in your pocket and look someone in the dang face! Right into those soul windows! The eyeballs!
What are your thoughts on today's social media?
It’s a necessary thing for a music career let’s be honest. It’s only as damaging as you allow it to be. But I will tell you that when you start to believe all the BS you see other people post then you’re really in trouble. If we live in a world of comparison there is never ever ever ever going to be any happiness in our own lives. Even if we do achieve some temporary happiness because momentarily we are “beating” someone else that is gonna slip away the second someone else comes our way with something better. The next hot thing. Whatever it is. The moral of the story is to focus on building your lane. Build your garden. Grow your crops. Grow your strawberries nice and juicy and red. Stop looking at your neighbor's strawberries. Their strawberries aren’t any of your business!
As a producer, what equipment and software do you usually use?
I produce on Logic Pro X.
In your opinion, what makes a "good" production?
I think its really all in the transitions from section to section. Making the listener perk up when different parts come in. It’s all about that tingly feeling you get when a production successfully goes into that cool part that makes everyone go “oooooh I like this part!”
Any favorite current producers?
I mean honestly everyone. I like so many producers and everyone is doing such amazing production all the time that If I focus too much on it and get scared to ever produce a song myself. I love Mattman and Robin. I love LAUV. I love Jon Bellion. I love Kanye. I love my friend Peter Fenn’s production.
How many hours on average do you spend time making music per day?
When I'm on my game and at peak obsession easily 8-10 Hours.
What appeals to you the most about creating music?
The most appealing part is the meditative aspect of it all. When you are in the workings of a song, whether producing or writing or whatever, and you are truly focused on the project and the craft, you literally forget about anything else in the world. The rest of the world melts away and you are left with just you and the song. It’s really a transcendent feeling. It feels like a million bucks.
As an artist, what do you want to accomplish?
I want to make people feel exactly how I feel when I listen to artists like Jack Johnson or Nick Drake or The Beatles. I want people to feel like “Wow, this guy gets me” or “Wow I don't feel so alone anymore after knowing there is someone else out there that feels just like me”.
What message would you give to anyone who'd like to pursue their dreams?
Adamantly search and seek out the things about yourself that make you different. Find out your quirks and your weird tendencies. Find out the combinations of art or food or whatever that set you on fire. Find your weirdness and cling to it. Develop it. I guarantee when you find that authentic weirdo inside yourself that other people will catch on.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
If it was mandatory for everyone to meditate every single day. I think the world would completely shift. Imagine if meditation wasn’t an optional choice. You were required by law to do it. Yowza! What a thought!
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
Man what a serious question! I thought I was just over here releasing a fun pop song. What am I Tony Robbins?
All kidding aside I’d say the best thing anyone can ever do for themselves is asking for help. Whether you are lost in the Cosmetic section at Rite-Aid or you’re lost in life. Ask someone for help. You never know where it can lead you.
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