Implementing the verses of alternative rock fusions, folk, and shoegaze is the musician and visual artist Evan Alderton and his performing act, Melodic Canvas. Their song, ‘Pretentious Intensions’ delivers a sonic 90s sound that merges with the production intensity of contemporary times. An eccentric style, the song emerges as a representation of never-before-known themes in music.
Q: How do real-life experiences alter the thematic resonance of a song?
A: Thematic inspiration for me tends to draw directly from real-life experiences. Typically ambiguous and introspective, rather than a more traditional form of storytelling, my lyrics focus on exploring the vast expanses of the mind. In this way, I feel I am able to convey the raw depth and emotion we experience universally as humans.
Q: Do you think live performances garner more exposure compared to other forms of distribution and marketing?
A: Yes, live performances are key in showing who you really are as a musician and a person. That direct real-life experience fully reveals who you are in a way that digital distribution cannot. There are a lot of walls you can hide behind in the digital realm, and there is something raw and powerful about performing live.
Q: What are your goals and visions as an artist?
A: My goal is simply to make music that hits people on a deep level, not on a surface level. I want my music to really sink in—-not just lyrically, but melodically and harmonically—-and resonate deeply with my audience. I’d rather my music deeply impact a smaller audience than have a huge audience of surface-level listeners.
Q: Which artists, both old-school and new-school influence your soundscape the most?
A: Alternative indie bands from the 90s are obviously a heavy influence. There is a raw feeling from that era and style of music that I feel is lacking in the music of other times, except maybe that of the 60s and 70s. Many of the modern artists that inspire me tend to draw from these old-school elements, combining them with styles and themes from today. Nirvana, My Morning Jacket, Slow Dive, DIIV, The War on Drugs, and Strand of Oaks, just to name a few.
Q: What are some of the most crucial production elements in your music?
A: I’m a huge fan of reverb and natural room acoustics. There is something that feels so raw and real when recording in a natural and imperfect setting.
Q: Where do you think the future of rock looks like?
A: Right now, rock is in the underground rather than the spotlight. I think rock music will eventually make a comeback, but not in the way it used to be. Maybe a new, more experimental version of rock.
Q: How does your music present a sense of individuality?
A: I gravitate toward an experimental, non-traditional style and format when creating my music. The fact that I lack formal musical training actually enables me to simply feel and hear the music on a deeper level and translate my inner vision directly into the recording, without thinking too much about it. I like my musical creations to emerge from a place of pure emotion, rather than over-thinking.
Q: Do you think that your music is important in the formation of your personality?
A: Absolutely. I feel that my music is the purest form of expressing my personality and my inner vision. Words don’t always flow easily from me to convey meaning, but my music is able to speak for me and communicate that depth, bridging the gap where words have left off.
Q: How important are music videos in capturing the attention of the audience?
A: Music videos can be very influential in capturing an audience’s attention, but they aren’t necessarily vital. Some songs call for a visual element because they have strong imagery that translates well into video. Other songs can hit you on a deep level with audio alone.
Q: How important a role does production labels play in the making of an artist?
A: These days, production labels aren’t as necessary as they used to be. An artist can be successful on their own. There is a lot more freedom and space to grow and create your own path.
Q: Do you feel that culture holds significance in the value and perspective of musicians?
A: Culture has a huge influence in the value and perspective of musicians, as it influences the way we view reality. With technology enabling us to view cultures around the world, we have the ability to be influenced by almost any culture.
Q: What drives your music the most, popularity or self-creative satisfaction and expression?
A: Definitely self-creative satisfaction and expression. I honestly don’t care what is popular and what isn’t. For me, it’s about the satisfaction I get from writing a song that feels deep and true. In fact, the less “popular” or “trendy” something is, the more impact I feel it has on that smaller niche audience.
