Connah Evans is an artist who's been a big fan of the world of music ever since his younger years. Now he's released his debut EP and has big plans for the future.
Connah Evans
We got the chance to chat to Connah about his music, what we should expect going forward and much more. Read on to find out what he had to say...
For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
The best way to describe my sound would probably be 'big and energetic but with heartfelt lyrics'. When people hear my name they tend to just think, 'Oh no, another singer/songwriter', so I love seeing people's faces when they come and watch me play live! Also I love when they then come and speak to me afterwards and I'm constantly being told I was not what they were expecting! It always puts a big smile on my face because I feel like I have changed people's views on the term singer/songwriter.
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
So far the most challenging thing I have found in the industry is trying to get and put on shows for myself without the help of any management or booking agent! I find that people don't seem to have any consideration or take you seriously if you are not represented by someone. Although I do always push through and find as many shows to play at as I can, as that is the most important thing to being a musician... I believe anyway!
How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?
In the eyes of the world and the industry this is probably the worst career path I could have taken, difficulty-wise, just due to how hard it is to actually get somewhere and also the amount of people that are trying to go down the same road, but I honestly would not have it any other way! In my eyes, if you have worked for years to get to the top and get where you want to be, then it will only make it easier for me to work just as hard to stay up there once I am!
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
Having creative control of my work is everything to me! All my songs are very personal so when I have an idea in my head of how I see it going, then being able to take it in that direction is 100% the most important thing for me! I admit, I am a very selfish songwriter in the sense that I write all my songs for me as a therapeutic way to get things off my mind. If things don't turn out how I imagined the song in my head, then I simply will not be satisfied!
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
I do try to be as unique as possible when it comes down to writing songs! I do this so that people are unable to compare me to anything or anyone else that they've heard before! I do however have a lot of influences that I look up to in regards to not only songwriting abilities, but also their stage presence. Catfish and The Bottlemen are so energetic on stage and so I also try to bring the same vibe that they give off to all of my shows as well... I feel like I enjoy this more and in turn so does the crowd! In regards to songwriting I take my influences from Circa Waves and also a very talented singer/songwriter Josh Record! I like clever and creative lyrics so I try to use them wherever I can.
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
Wow, that is such a tough question! There are so many people that I would love to collaborate with. I would love to write a song with Josh Record because of the writing ability that he has and also the broad range of genres he uses. Another artist who I'd love to collab with would be a singer/songwriter called Saint Raymond, for the same reasons mostly! Saint Raymond's lyrics are clever and catch people's attention and I feel that our genres are similar in many ways!
Tell us random, funny fact about you that not many people know...
I will give you two little facts that people may not know about me!
1) My ears have pretty much been the size they are now since I was born so I have always had big ears... and what seemed like an abnormally small head! But now thankfully my head has grown and all is now normal, despite the fact that one sticks out more than the other!
2) I have a small symbol tattoo on my hip that kind of (very much so) looks like a toaster with toast popping out of it.
Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?
My aims and goals for my career is honestly just to be able to do what I genuinely love doing for as long as I possibly can! Also to play as many amazing shows as I can! Music is my life, I always tell people that playing live is my drug and that I am hooked, I really don't know what I would do without it! If I was to have one goal in my career it would be to go on a headline tour and make my family and everyone who has helped me along the way proud!
Where do you hope to be by this time next year?
This time next year I would love to have been signed and have a great, solid fanbase all around the country. And of course released a lot more music that hopefully everyone will love and enjoy!
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
Over the coming months you should hopefully see a tour all over the UK to promote the single 'Wait For Me' which I am so excited for! Bring on the future!
Connah's debut EP 'LABELS' is out now!