Photo by: Mandi Martini & Statik TV
We spoke with multi-instrumentalist Gabrielle Gustafson a.k.a Eva X about her new album and the future sound of music.
“People are really excited to be back at shows.”
Hi Gabrielle, how are you?
I am doing well. It has been a couple of weeks since my new album I Dream of a Reality dropped but there is no rest here. I am preparing shows for Canada and the Northeastern US in the fall.
Tell me about yourself, Eva X.
I am Eva X, also known as Gabrielle Gustafson, a producer, singer-songwriter, and major nerd from Vancouver, Canada. I have been in various bands, ensembles, and projects since 2013. I started producing my own music as Eva X in 2019. I am a runner and gamer in my spare time, and I love trying new craft beers.
You are a multi-instrumentalist, what attracts you to synthetic sounds over classical instrumentation?
Synths have given me power and control over my sound and music. I am not beholden to having session musicians or a backing band with synths– I have a lot of choice in who I bring in and when. Plus, I really like sci-fi and cyberpunk aesthetics in my music, and synths are a huge part of that for me.
What inspired your new album, I Dream of a Reality?
I started this album with the idea that it would be a concept album all about how we curate our self-image to others and present ourselves in the world. That did not 100% survive contact with reality and as I wrote the tracks that would become the album I ended up diving into some of my own past, and present, thoughts and brought those into the music. Ultimately, the final album is a mix of abstract ideas, with a lot of my experience seasoned in there.
“… live music is going to be the priority for a lot of artists …”
When the world was locked-down live music was seriously impacted and strategies formed to bring shows to audiences over the net. Is it something you see an audience for? Live music broadcast into peoples homes.
I did a lot of streaming concerts in 2020 and 2021, and even in early 2021 I started to notice a drop-off in attendance and enthusiasm. As streaming got more crowded and live shows started to slowly return. I have been attending and playing a lot more shows in 2022. People are really excited to be back at shows. Even with all of the hardships we are facing in the world, there is a real joy, and a real hunger, for how a live concert can bring us together. As both a fan and an artist, live shows have an energy and a richness that streaming cannot yet provide. I do not think streaming will entirely fade away but that, at least for the next few years, live music is going to be the priority for a lot of artists and fans.
