Eves Karydas on new album Burnt Tapes: “It’s a smorgasbord of genres”

by Talya Jacobson | Friday Jul 05, 2024 | Features

Eves Karydas, Photograph: Nikki Constantinou

Eves Karydas has released her bold second album, Burnt Tapes, and will launch the record with an east coast tour that begins tonight in Naarm/Melbourne.

Burnt Tapes marks a significant milestone for Karydas as it’s her first release since becoming a self-managed, independent artist. It represents an evolution in Karydas’ artistic identity and emphasises the importance of the artistic process above all else.

Check Check spoke with Eves Karydas about the journey that led to her latest project, from collaborations in Stockholm, Sweden, to taking charge of all aspects of her career.

Check Check: So, what can listeners expect from Burnt Tapes?

Eves Karydas: Well, it’s a bit of a smorgasbord of genres, but I think that’s what makes it special, because I was just having fun. I wanted to bring a strength to this album that was just, like, screw everyone else. Like, I’m making this for me. I wanted that to come through on the album. There’s a lot of sides to me. It’s a journey.

The final single leading up to album release, “Hair Down,” is such a powerful anthem. Could you tell us a bit about that production?

I don’t think I could have written that song without having that experience in my life. I’m very fortunate to have a very loving, supportive, amazing parter. Now that I’m in my late 20s, I’ve reflected a lot on my early 20s and just how messy and full of doubt they were. I think it wasn’t until I met my partner that I felt like I could see a way out of the trenches that is your early 20s. So, that’s kind of where that song came from.

How has your hands-on approach to creating your own music videos and pitching your own music impacted your artistry?

It’s completely changed the way that I create. I think prior to this album, I felt like I needed to outsource for a lot of these jobs which, you know, comes with the territory. But I think because I’ve come from a background of filmmaking in school, I have always been pretty creative and a bit delusional. I felt like I could tackle it and it’s been the most groundbreaking thing for me as a creative that I could’ve done. I love the music video for “Sunday Drive” that me and my partner just shot on our own.

After being in the music industry for over a decade, how has your sound and approach to creating music evolved?

The sound has evolved a lot. When I first started out, I was very indie, alternative, edgy, which very quickly became my thing. Then I moved to London and I think I just became a lot happier, and so the music became a lot happier, and that’s when I wrote my first album, Summerskin, and started working with Chris Zane, the producer who has also produced Burnt Tapes.

I’ve also spent a lot of time in Stockholm in writing sessions, which taught me the importance of a more focused vision, which is what I tried to bring to the Burnt Tapes album. There were very few people involved – it was very much me trying to close up all the windows and just do what was right for me, rather than have all these other opinions involved.

If you could recommend listening to Burnt Tapes in any way, how would you want people to listen?

I think people need to listen to it on vinyl. I think it’s just a very vinyl album, so I guess it has to be somewhere where there’s a record player, like in a living room or a bedroom. You could be cooking; I feel like cooking would be pretty fun while listening to the record.

Okay, quickfire questions! What’s your favourite record right now?

All the new Omar Apollo work.

Favourite place you’ve played live?

Probably Falls Lorne in 2019. That was an awesome show. That was my first festival show where a big crowd showed up.

Favourite fellow Aussie artist?

I’m going to say Cub Sport because my boyfriend’s in it, and they’re my best friends.

Favourite venue that you’ve seen a live performance at?

I saw Parcels play at KOKO in London in 2018. It had that vibe and it was one of those shows where you’re just like, “Damn, how’d they do that? How’d they inject this atmosphere in here?” It was very cool.

If you could have a writing session with any one artist, who would you choose?

I’m gonna say RAYE, because she’s amazing and I love what she stands for. She’s so powerful and her melodies are like, What the fuck? Where do they come from?