Oneiric neo-ambient from an enigmatic New Zealand producer.
There’s very little information out there on èvia, which is part of their allure. What is known about them is that they’re based in New Zealand, they quietly release music via their Bandcamp subscription service and over the last few months they’ve caught the attention of some of the most respected names in ambient music, from Space Afrika to Special Guest DJ.
It’s not surprising. The elusive producer may be from New Zealand but their music isn’t conceptually attached to any specific place. Like the videos they post on their YouTube channel, their songs are shrouded in a hazy fog of ambient electronics and amorphous, organic textures, similar in spirit to the nebulous sounds of artists on labels like Motion Ward, Experiences Ltd and sferic.
If you’re unfamiliar with èvia, this mix is a pretty perfect introduction to their world. The tracks suggest “the haziness of a distant memory” and evoke the same dreamlike quality as their music and videos. The recording moves through a heady blend of aquatic burblings, glistening textures and synth blips from the likes of perila, YABUJIN and Pontiac Streator. It also includes two particularly great forthcoming tracks by TIBSLC and èvia themselves.
How are you today?
I’m doing well, enjoying the autumn atmosphere.
Can you tell us a little bit about the mix? What were you feeling when you made it?
I wanted to achieve a sense of elusiveness in image and emotion, I chose tracks which suggest to me a dream-like quality and perhaps the haziness of a distant memory.
The opening character reflects upon an experience of having memories which are not their own, their spoken words transcribe to: “Memories keep coming, memories that are not mine, another mind? Why does this keep happening? Is it trying to tell me something?”
Where did you record the mix?
At home in my small studio space.
Where would you recommend listening to it?
You could try listening whilst drifting in and out of sleep, maybe afterwards sit outside and listen to the environment.
Are there any tracks you’ve used in the mix that are special or significant to you?
YABUJIN’s open has been resonating lately, their videos are always inspiring. I'm also very happy to share a beautiful forthcoming track by TIBSLC.
Theory Therapy mixes are about sharing the music that you personally find therapeutic and restorative. What does that mean for you?
To me music is therapeutic in the way it can affirm a version of reality I feel deeply connected to, or reveal a new reality I hoped could exist, but couldn’t entirely define. Music is constantly changing the way I perceive the world and function within it, motivating and inspiring me, I’d feel completely directionless without it.
Is there a particular album or piece of music that you find yourself returning to for tranquillity?
Ulla’s Big Room is very grounding for me, as is Naemi’s self titled, in particular ‘hum2’. I also enjoy playing this fugue by Bach at the piano.
What do you have planned for 2021?
I’m working on a collaborative tape release with TIBSLC, a compilation track, and completing my debut album. I’ve also got a few video projects in progress which I’m really excited about, and I’m planning to move to Berlin when things open up for travel.
Tracklist:
YABUJIN - AZEROY 5: VIRTUAL BIRDS [self-released]
picnic - drops in the water (DJ Paradise version) [daisart]
Meitei - Seto [Métron]
Pil - plush hooves (picnic remix) [daisart]
èvia - [Forthcoming]
TIBSLC - Later That Day [Forthcoming sferic]
O Yuki Conjugate - 200ft Vertical Wall [Staalplaat/self-released]
Evan Johnson - hyphen [KAIROS]
perila - stasis [self-released]
Pontiac Streator - eerie dawns (feat mathilde chambon) [self-released]
the blessed kitty - retroflexus [Experiences Ltd.]
Morton Feldman - For Samuel Beckett (1987) [KAIROS]
The Caretaker - I1 - Stage 4 Temporary Bliss State [History Always Favours The Winners]
Klein - saving lala [self-released]
Space Afrika - self [self-released]
yyu - smileyy [Lillerne]
O Yuki Conjugate - Sunchemical [Staalplaat/self-released]
Florian T M Zeisig - Conversationalist [Métron]
YABUJIN - open [self-released]