What is your names?
My name is NEAVV
What is your genre of music?
Alternative synth pop
Give us a little bio about you.
NEAVV is an alternative synth pop artist and songwriter from Toronto, Canada who also happens to have a masters degree in opera performance. She has been writing and performing for over 15 years and has been recognized for her powerful vocals, her strong lyrics and catchy songwriting and recently signed a publishing deal with Last Gang Records. She has performed across Canada, in Europe and The US and has spent time in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, LA and Nashville writing for her own project, for other artists, and top lining for producers. NEAVV’s songs have been played on Canadian mainstream radio, featured in film and television, and she has shared the stage with contemporaries Mother Mother, KONGOS, Coleman Hell, Scott Helman, among others. In April 2018 NEAVV signed a worldwide single deal with UK label Enhanced Music for the song “All or Nothing”, a collaboration with European producers Anki and October Child, on which she co-wrote and was featured. Since it’s release it has already amassed close to a million plays and has been endorsed by Tiesto, Don Diablo, Tritonal and more. NEAVV’s debut album “Fall Hard. Get Sad.” is set to release
You released your new single ‘Keep’,tell us more about it.
I wrote “Keep”, with Wendy Parr (Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles’ vocal coach) while on a
2017 writing trip to Nashville. I thought that I had already written all the songs for my
forthcoming debut album, “Fall Hard. Get Sad.”, but there was just something about “Keep”
that clicked with me and dV, my producer – we both instantly knew that it had to be included
on the record. At the time, I was struggling with how to manage some unhappy relationships in my life that were holding me back. “Keep” was born out of that. The song is not necessarily about letting go of any one friendship or relationship, but more about the moment when you finally see someone for who they really are, rather than how you hoped they might be or wish they could become.
What was the writing process like?
My writing process varies depending on the song but I wrote “Keep” with Wendy Parr while on a writing trip to Nashville last year. Like most sessions we just started off talking about life
and getting to know each other and that lead into the concept of “Keep”. It was originally
written on acoustic guitar and was a really easy organic collaboration with both of us
contributing to the melody and lyrics and was written within a few hours.
What was the recording process like?
When I got back from Nashville I played it for my producer dV and something just clicked. All I
had was an acoustic recording of it on my voice memos app but he basically started
production as soon as the song ended. Within a few hours he had almost all the production
done. A few weeks later we got together with our friend Inukshuk, a wicked electronic
producer and he helped us add a little magic with the vocal chops. After that we went to
Little noise records here in Toronto to record the final vocals with Mike Schlosser and then it
was mixed by Kevin Dietz and mastered by Noah Mintz (Lacquer Channel Mastering).
What is the message you want listeners to take from the single?
I want them to take whatever they need from it. Hopefully it speaks to them in a personal
way.
Describe the track in two words.
Moving on
Will we see a music video coming soon?
Yes!
You will also be dropping ‘Fall Hard. Get Sad.” tell us more about it?
“Fall Hard. Get Sad.” is my debut album and is made up of 9 catchy alternative synth pop
tracks.
How was the making process different for each track?
All the tracks were produced and recorded by dV in his home studio and all the vocals were
tracked at Little Noise Records here in Toronto. The only differences came in the way in
which the songs were written and that took on many different forms.
Describe each track in two words.
I’ll let you decide how they make you feel
Did you work with anyone on the Album?
Along with my awesome team of musical peeps I have already mentioned, I also received
funding from “The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings” (FACTOR) to record
the album.
Do you have gigs coming up or a tour in planning?
My album release party is happening here in Toronto on October 19th at The Hideout and I will be playing The Horseshoe Tavern on November 20th. More shows to be announced soon!
If so where are you thinking of heading?
Everywhere!
What else can we expect from you this year?
There will be a music video for my song “Lone Wolf” coming out soon, a college radio
campaign happening in both the US and Canada, and more shows!
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
I just released a song called “All or Nothing” that I co-wrote and sang on with European producers Anki and October Child and there is a kick as new rock artist named “BRKN LOVE” who should be releasing a song we wrote together soon called “Stay”.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would
they have to contact?
I’m definitely up for collaborating with other musicians if it feels like
the right fit. They can contact me through my website.
Do you play any instruments?
Yes. Guitar, Piano, Violin, Saxophone, Clarinet, Erhu,
Who are your influences?
I’m influenced by a lot of things but I get my writing inspiration from top 40 writers while
musically I’m influenced by alternative artists like PVRIS, Paramore, Nothing but Thieves and
90s alternative artists.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I get inspiration from my own life and from other songs. Sometimes an amazing new song will just spark something in me and I won’t be able to put my guitar down.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Releasing more music, touring the world and writing for other artists.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I’m either walking my dog or at swim practice.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Too many songs to mention! I went through a bit of a ridiculous Beatles phase when I was a
kid and I really think that started my obsession with catchy songs.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
You’re allowed to say no.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Work on your craft. Do the hard work. Believe in yourself. Take risks. Fight for your art. Fuck
perfection.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“You can’t control the waves but you can learn to ride them.”
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
If you’re in Toronto on October 19th you should definitely visit the Hideout! Also go check out Trillium park right on the edge of Ontario place, it’s one of my favourite places to walk with my pup.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? I go for a long walk with my dog Tucker!
2/ Who do you see first? Tucker!
3/ What do you eat first? Indian food from Banjara or Pizza from Libretto
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My sennheiser microphone
My Yamaha MX61 synth
My earplugs
Dry shampoo
Black eyeliner
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
