WeInterviewedIt: Evenings

I've been following Charlotteville based producer Nathan Broaddus aka Evenings, fairly closely since he dropped the North Dorm EP in June of last year. When I first heard the album, it was the soundtrack for the weeks that followed. The relaxed, organized rhythms fit quite perfectly with the lo-fi vocal samples, diced guitar, and grainy soundscape textures.

In his newest release Lately, Evenings emphasizes the soundscapes hinted at in North Dormand brings out a new arsenal of textures & melodies to create a lush collection of atmospheric tunes simply hard not like. Cassette textures and mic out-the-window soundscapes lay the backdrop for a palette of spacey bells and subtle synths accompanied by melodic guitar blips and riffs. My personal highlight is [I] Softly we Go, an 8 minute long dive into absolut bliss. The song starts as a mix of close plucked guitar, with a drippy sliding sine sound held together delicately by a sparse percussion. At its peak the song turns into a full fledge rhythmic ecstasy, cunningly short lived. Evenings then provides the song [II] leees later in the album for those aching for a taste of the beat again. This is album is bound to be in heavy rotation, a swell sophomore release. can't wait to hear what comes next. Keep reading below for our interview w/ Evenings.

Interview: Evenings

(Hit the jump to read the interview and listen/purchase his new album) >>>>

  
A/S/L?

21/M/Cville Va

When did the Evenings project start?

Around last year some time. I put North Dorm out in late June. Before that I was just recording a lot pieces of songs, usually at night.. not really sure what I was going to do with them. Didn't really think this would happen. Very thankful.

Your usually based in Charlottesville. Whats the music scene like out there?

There are a really good amount of venues here. They are pretty much all downtown: The Jefferson theater, The Southern, Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, Trinity (a bar)…those seem like the go-to places lately for great music. The really big names play the Pavillion, John Paul Jones Arena, or if you wanna see something ridiculous and horrible, you can go to the football stadium--Scott Stadium.

The scene in Charlottesville is cool. It's a pretty quaint place. For instance, I saw Washed out in the tiny tea bazaar downtown about a year and a half ago. Got to talk to him and stuff. I love places like that because it's not that intimate everywhere. It seems like we get lucky a lot. I'm biased, but I love it here.

I'm doing a DJ set ahead of Pictureplane, and Les la Britanica at the tea bazaar on the 31^st. 
 

I understand you were just in Lyon, France. How long were you there/what were you up to out there?

I spent about 2 months there. I got the chance to take a couple of classes in france, and jumped on it. I've been speaking bad french since high school, and just saying dumb shit to my friends. Since I had to continue a language in college, I just kept taking french. So both of these classes were taught only in french. It was pretty interesting. Anyway since I was only taking two classes, I had a lot of free time over there so I wrote a handful of songs, I ate a lot of french food, and drank more wine and coffee than I ever have. The last ten days of the trip my friend and I just traveled around europe. Gotta say thanks to the Johns atoctopuswindmill.com/for housing us in Amsterdam. Really great experience.
 

Do you feel like the experience had an influence on your music?

Maybe. I had never left the country before this trip. The music feels a little looser than before I think. I didn't really do that on purpose. It may have had something to do with being over there. The attitude is without a doubt a little more relaxed in France.

You've just dropped a new EP, Lately. what was your process for working on the new EP? how was it different then working on the North Dorm Release?

The process was basically the same this time, But I worked mostly in the box.
I did have some guitar done, and some stuff on reels that I recorded before I left for france. But, I'd say at least half of the album was recorded and over there. A little bit in Belgium. I didn't try to write a bunch of bangers this time. I just let it flow wherever it wanted. It might be a little deeper. It feels good.

What albums do you find yourself listening to these days?
The new Shlohmo. Bad Vibes is the shit.
Seriously been getting into the collective more and more lately. D33J, Groundislava.

Young Montana?
Lapalux
Wu Lyf
 

Future projects/Any plans for the Road?
Right now I'm just happy to be able to relax for a little while. But I do have some plans for something new down the road. Not sure what I'm gonna call it or what the hell im gonna do exactly. But im excited to do something new.

Best down time activity?

Skateboarding. I've been skating for years. I should be way better haha. I have some friends that put me to shame. Sometimes I just need to go skate to take my mind off of things. Makes me feel great.

House Hunters International--lets be real. Great show. 

Nature vs. City?

It's hard to say. I grew up just outside Charlottesville in a county called Palmyra. It's beautiful. Summer is so green, and hot as fuck. Lots of places to go swimming. Winter is snowy and there aren't many giant buildings around so you get to see everything completely covered in white. Yesterday I went skating out there by myself. Its nice to have some place quiet & gorgeous like that to be. Virginia is home.

On the other hand, the city is great. I lived in New York for a year, and as you said spent this summer in Lyon. You get that obvious culture in the city that you don't get elsewhere. But sometimes I feel like it might be harder to focus on one thing when everything is bustling and flashing around you. After school's over I'll probably end up in the city though. 

Favorite Movie?
It's probably Back To the Future…cuz I mean..Shit.

Best place to eat in Charlottesville?

Well I know you guys have real Mexican food out in LA. But I just discovered Continental Divide in Cville. It's the best Mexican food that I haven't gotten on the west coast. Very tasty. 

Best place to eat in Lyon?

There is this place called the 'Le Sud'. I only went there once because it's too damn expensive. But if you ever go to Lyon you gotta eat there at least once.

People we should check out/listen to?
I played a show with this band from northern Va last year called Funland Superquest. They're the type of band I can see playing with dan deacon. Sorta Loud synth pop. It's not really the kind of music I usually listen to, but when they started playing the whole place started shaking, and everyone felt like breakin stuff--but being really happy while doing it. I was digging it, and the guys were cool. They shoulda bought some 40s though... Chuck, I'm talking to you.

Leaving records, Ghostly International

Thanks you guys. Big Fan of the Collective.

U can stream the new album evenings album Lately for free in it's entirety here. if you like what u hear i also suggest u buy et!