Interview: Sam Evian

We spoke with Sam Evian before his show in Asheville, NC at The Mothlight with Big Thief

Your new album Premium is your first release, correct? Have you worked under any other band names or monikers before this?

Premium is my first solo release, but I also play in a band called Celestial Shore. We've been inactive for a year or so, but we're working on a new record with John Dietrich from Deerhoof. 

For a first release, the production is incredible! Was this self-produced? If so, what formal training have you received? If not, who helped out on Premium?

Thanks! It's self-produced. I work at a recording studio in Brooklyn called Figure 8 that I helped build alongside some really special people. I'm really lucky to be involved in that space. Most of Premium was made there, with the exception of some overdub work I did at the Magic Shop (RIP) before it closed. I don't have any formal training in engineering, but there are so many free resources out there today to learn from. I started making recordings on my laptop in 2009, and I've just kept at it and worked my way up to the studio. 

Your show is at one of our favorite venues in the Asheville and quite frankly the state of North Carolina. Is this your first time in Asheville? Do you have any expectations or spots you'd like to check out while you're here?

I grew up on the coast of North Carolina, and Asheville is one of my favorite places in the country. We played the Orange Peel with Lucius back in October and had a blast. I'll probably end up going to visit Moog :) 

We'd like to refer you to Harvest Records, one of our favorite record shops in the state. If you went in right now, what would be the first couple of things you'd be hunting for?

Shuggie Otis :) I need Inspiration Information on vinyl.

What have you guys been listening to in the car/van this tour?

Longmont Potion Castle, Hank Williams, Cass McCombs

Premium has such a wide array of sounds which makes it pretty tough to put in a single genre. I'm wondering, what were some of your influences for the sound on this record?

If I had to pick 3, I'd say Shuggie Otis, George Harrison, and Jackson Browne

Are there any new artists that you're particularly interested in currently?

Big Thief! :)

Catch Sam Evian on tour. See dates below. His album, Premium, is available from Saddle Creek.

Jan 16 - The Mothlight - Asheville, NC ^

Jan 17 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC ^

Jan 18 - Strange Matter - Richmond, VA ^

Jan 19 - Metro Gallery - Baltimore, MD ^

Jan 20 - Paradise - Boston, MA %

Jan 21 - The Warehouse - Fairfield, CT %

Jan 26 - The Hollow - Albany, NY %

Jan 27 - The Haunt - Ithaca, NY %

Jan 28 - Union Transfer - Philadelphia, PA %

^ : with Big Thief

% : with Rubblebucket