One of electronic music’s most contemporary voices, Eva Shaw, is back on the release radar with her highly-anticipated, 27-track debut album ‘SOLO’. The opus marks the start of a new chapter in her artistic career, and features 30 of the globe’s most established and rising lyrical stars from across the hip-hop scene. Unequivocally cool in its charm, and born from a host of musical references, Eva’s debut LP disrupts the confining notion of genres and sets her on a path to the upper echelon of music. Out now via Shaw’s own imprint Mad Fatti, ‘SOLO’ is available to listen to across all streaming platforms.
STREAM: EVA SHAW – ‘SOLO’ [MAD FATTI]
1. Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
Through a lot of trial and error! I’ve been experimenting with sounds and trying various directions and I think that freedom is the only way you can find yourself. During the pandemic I had more time away from touring to focus on the development and creation of this project.
2. What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion?
It should communicate a feeling. It can be anything but it’s gotta be something. I can’t stand empty music that feels like someone just tried to fit on a playlist. That’s cool if that’s your thing but it’s not art anymore at that point, it’s more of a business move.
3. Who were your top 3 artists last year?
Tyler The Creator. I always look forward to his visual content and ideas. He’s an all around visionary. Moneybagg Yo had a great year too. I think his 2021 album is fire. He’s someone I listen to a lot and I think he’s just going up. Baby Keem also dropped a lot of fire last year and I think he has a lot of long term potential because he has a different energy about everything he does. I gotta add Don Toliver to the list cuz he has dropped a few of my fave tracks including my absolute jam Get Throwed with DJ Mustard. Something about that record gives me goosebumps every single time. I’m a huge Travis Scott fan and I can see why they clicked. I think he’s going to keep on growing.
4. What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?
I am very physically active- I like going to shoot some hoops or go for a bike ride to clear my head. Even just a walk or a run can be helpful. When you switch your focus off of whatever it was that you were doing, and surround yourself with some nature I think that can help reset. That’s why I like being in my hometown Toronto because you can find huge parks everywhere, plus the waterfront is right there. The weather and nature is beautiful even in the middle of a big city. I find it both inspiring and calming.
5. What are your 2022 projects and goals?
This album was a huge one but I definitely already have next steps and plans in mind. I want to land a production placement with a huge artist. I’m also an artist myself so I’ve spent less time actively trying to produce for someone else. It would be exciting for me to work with Drake or Travis Scott… Megan The Stallion. People like that who I really respect and love their music and who can also help get my name out there more. It’s also fun to do something for someone else because you can let it go and watch them handle your creation. That’s going to be a goal over the rest of the year, and 2023 ( if I don’t make it happen before that). I want to develop on some of the directions I started musically and keep learning as well. I have a couple more videos to drop still from the album and I also am considering a new idea for an EP that I may do before the end of the year. I am also dropping a new NFT. It’s basically original music composed to an original 3d animation. I’d like to get a collab going with a fashion brand too but I’m not in a rush. Yes I have a lot of ambitions lol.
6. Favorite movie or TV show?
Saturday Night Live will always be my fave show. It’s been a huge inspiration for me and I’ve watched it since I was little. It’s my dream to be on it. I don’t have a favorite movie , I think that’s impossible for me to say. I don’t watch tons of them regularly but when I do I tend to go toward something post apocalyptic. I like a lot of weird indie movies with unique scripts and unpredictable outcomes as well.
7. Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
During the pandemic I realized it was the perfect time to work on my debut album. I wasn’t touring and it was something I had thought about for a bit. It came to my head one day and then I went full force from there.
8. What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?
Although it’s easier in some ways for more people to release music and upload it themselves, I still think it’s very difficult to get anywhere or make any money as an artist unless you are with a major label. The corporate side of the industry makes it difficult for artists because even though DSPs say they give everyone a shot, the fact is that most of the support goes to artists on Majors. The money they have to run ads and build an artist is hard to compete with as an indie. This means that if you are independent, even with budgets and a great team, it is even harder than before to cut through the noise because there’s just so much out there and the major labels will make sure they come out on top. This sounds negative but I think it’s just the industry changing with the times and we have to keep finding ways to be seen. There are a lot of things I would change on top of this but that would be a novel to get into lol.
9. Can you outline your creative process?
I don’t have one way of doing things. I have an idea about what I want to do in my career at different times, and then try to focus on approaching how to achieve that. My ideas come from all over the place because I have so many interests. I generally have a direction in mind when I sit down to start creating, though, whether it’s a mood, something I need to get off my chest or simply a vibe that was in my head that I want to explore.
10. Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
I look up to Travis Scott a lot. His videos, sound aesthetic and overall vision is super creative to me and I really strive toward that level. I also really love Kendrick Lamar and Tyler The Creator for their aesthetic in their videos and the way they present their ideas through art. I am also inspired by Sevdaliza and Billie Eilish – they’re both unique and found their own way to present themselves that isn’t like any other female artist in the industry. Rihanna will always be at the top for me as well. I identify with her style and admire her swag. And of course I love fashion so I always watch all the fashion week shows. Huge fan of Balenciaga, Marine Serre – I’m always on the lookout for new wardrobe inspo.
11. What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
I don’t have one moment because my career has been a gradual process with small wins along the way. I have moments like signing my first track, playing my first festival, and now releasing my first album. I try to be proud of every moment no matter how small or big. I work really hard so when something pays off it feels really great.
12. What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?
I think singers should sing about whatever they want!
13. Do you have any regrets?
I have felt regret for things in my past but I also think that every decision you make leads to something else. If you go back and try to change something it would alter everything you are currently doing, which wouldn’t be necessarily better. If you go into things with good intention I don’t think it’s helpful to feel regret unless it’s to push you to do something moving forward. I have a few things that I really want to do that I haven’t yet, and there’s not always time for everything. Sometimes I wish I had done things earlier but then I wouldn’t have done what I did do, so you can never really say what the right or wrong choice was. You just have to move forward.
14. What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?
Try things. Be you. Do what you want to do. Make the most of your time here on this planet.
