Evan Bliss: Artist on the Rise

DC native Evan Bliss is celebrating his latest release, “ShhPow” on Holster Records. He can be seen enjoying acts or on stage at many local music venues.

By Jackie Cular

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ChangeUpMag: “Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind your album title `ShhPow’?”

Evan Bliss: “We were thinking of titles, a lot goes into titles, what the album means, but the Shh is more of the softer stuff and the Pow is more of the faster rock songs.”

CM: “Recently you performed at the Hard Rock Café for as a benefit for the Holster Project, can you tell us a bit about the project?”

EB: “The Holster Project is part of Holster Records that I’m a part of… it brings together lots of different people’s voices for various social causes; it gets musicians together to affect their community.”

CM: “You’ve lived in and around the DC area often. What do you feel is unique about DC?”

EB: “I think DC is a pretty fascinating town; people that live here know that it’s a big town but it feels like a small town. There are a lot of social groups and you can make a difference within your own community. Lots of new ideas are always floating around because it’s such a political town. It’s a beautiful and confusing little town.”

CM: “What are three DC venues you often visit?”

SB: “The 9:30 Club is just fantastic, I’ve always loved the Velvet Lounge–it’s a great little venue with an awesome sound. Rock n’ Roll Hotel, too; I love the smaller venues because there’s a greater connectivity to the fans. Even the Black Cat is a really terrific venue. DC is great for music, but it could always be better.”

CM: “When will you be on stage next”?

EB: “We’re getting a lot of the booking together for a tour [right now]. We’re going to start in the south—North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, maybe Tennessee and Virginia as well. Hopefully then the northeast—get to New York City, Boston, and Philly as well.”

CM: “How do you manage to save money while touring?”

EB: “Travel with as few roadies as possible, as little external band mates as possible. They seem to take up all the space and seem to take the longest time at rest stops. You have to pay for room and board. Rest stops are a huge wastes of money, if we can wait until we get to the venue we can usually eat there. I sleep in the van a lot, that saves money in hotel rooms. I’m used to sleeping on van benches or couches.”

CM: “How do you entertain yourself while touring?”

EB: “The best is going to new places and meeting new people. College shows are the best because you get a tour of the campus and get to meet the students. Even city shows are great because you get to walk around and try new foods. Eating isn’t a great way to save money, but local places aren’t that pricey.”

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CM: “How do you feel ticket prices should reflect the economy?”

EB: “I think that ticket prices as a whole are massively inflated and they have been for a long time. I don’t think anyone should have to pay $250 to see a show, not that our fans have that problem. I am a fan of the Fugazi method; they’re a DC band. Their shows were like five bucks and CD was ten and that never changed no matter what they played or what they did. I’m not sure if that’s a rumor, but it’s a pretty cool rumor. Support band’s rates haven’t really changed in a very long time. Opening acts in the 1960’s and 70’s would get a few hundred bucks [per show] and that hasn’t really changed. It’s not always fair, but everyone has to make a profit, because it’s hard for some venues to stay in business.”

CM: “If you could pick any group to open for you, who would be your opening act?”

EB: “Oh I think the Rolling Stones should open for us; I hear they can pull in a good crowd. They are probably not a pain on the road because they sleep a lot. Not a lot of backstage drama either because they take a lot of cat naps. I’d open for anybody, I just love playing shows. I have played some of the worst shows and the best shows because I won’t turn down a reason to play.”

CM: “What are three words you would use to describe your album `ShhPow’?

EB: “Sexy loaded danger. I’m always going to think it’s sexy no matter what I do because I don’t do anything dark or depressing. And I just love things being sexy. Danger, I think it’s more in your face… there are some subjects I address that may be uncomfortable.”

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CM: “How do you feel about people who download music on peer to peer sites like Limewire?”

EB: Music is music, if people are going to listen to it, they’re going to listen to it. It’s nice when people pay for music. I’d probably have Limewire myself if I wasn’t afraid it would crash my entire computer system or steal all of my personal information. So that’s a downside. For some it’s worth the risk. People will find a way to do it anyway. Come to the shows.

CM: “Touring can teach a person a lot. What is one life lesson you have learned along the way?”

EB: “I think the best life lesson I’ve learned is make haste slowly. Essentially it’s important to accomplish things and get them done, but if you’re conscious and aware you can progress and move forwards without making too many mistakes. I think more recently I’ve approached my career that way. In the past I used to come out with guns blazing, but sometimes it doesn’t go well. I think when you’re really pushing and working hard but you take the extra time to think things through; it’s always going to be beneficial on the other side.”

For free downloads visit Evan Bliss on SoundCloud.