Ode to Berlin on dreamy lo-fi number ‘2 Thumbs Up’
Taken from forthcoming EP ‘Blissful Thinking’ due 11th June via Grönland Records.
German-Australian alt-pop artist Evan Klar is pleased to announce the final track ‘2 Thumbs Up’, lifted from the forthcoming EP ‘Blissful Thinking’ out now through cult Berlin label Grönland Records.
Blessed with a prolific knack for crafting catchy offbeat melodies, Evan blends lo-fi pop sensibilities over a poignant positive message on ‘2 Thumbs Up’. He says: “2 Thumbs Up is an accepting high five, with a smile, to all things we should/need to address to become fully integrated with our life experience. Unresolved pain in particular.. our monsters as some might call them. I wrote this song with Hailey Collier and Nikolai Potthoff, two close friends who make me really happy. Taking care of yourself and your mental health is easily forgotten, especially when trying to create something. If I’m going to keep making art whilst swimming in my emotions everyday then I’m going to write songs that help myself and hopefully those listening.”
What started as another trip back to his roots at the beginning of 2020, turned into a different kind of journey, as he found himself stranded at the concrete shores of Berlin, Germany with no way out but his music. Confronted with this big unknown, he used this chance to leave the cushy safe space of indie bedroom pop behind and venture somewhere between pop and trap, letting his sound progress naturally into a seemingly carefree, bright and relaxing sound. And when you dive beyond that surface, you discover a depth of deeply personal and inquisitive lyrics, combining the best of both worlds.
About the video: “2 thumbs up to my favourite kinda day in Berlin. I moved here last year pre pandemic feeling disoriented, kinda failing to fight the cold but, as per, writing songs kept me from losing my spirit. I’m out on my board every day skating to the studio or heading out to spots with new friends. It’s been a wobbly ride finding my feet but thanks to this place I’m feeling awesome now and I just got the vax! I guess this clip represents a transition, not just for me but for anyone who knows what it’s like to walk out from the cold and feel the warmth of the sun for the first time in ages. Here’s a glimpse down the beautiful streets of Berlin.”
Amidst dark times, Evan managed to channel his sunny Australian mind into a dreamy new EP that lets us escape to a different world reigned by blue skies, puffy clouds and soul-soothing beats. ‘Blissful Thinking’ is a concentrate of his positive attitude that looks at the bright side of life, rather than pondering on everything that went and will go wrong. And it’s an invitation to follow suit and lighten the mind.
“My music seems to be leaning a little more mainstream these days but I’m enjoying the changes,” Evan says, making a statement for pop as a universal language, able to understand and support everyone’s emotions. Especially in times like these, pop music is a necessary good that helps us to take a break from the routine and acts as a connecting element between those of us still locked inside our homes. And nothing does it better than Evan’s ‘2 Thumbs Up’ and his warm and slightly broken voice letting you know that you’re ‘Special’.
The Melbourne native has been writing and producing music for other artists since a, fortunately, failed stint at a machine factory in Bielefeld, Germany where at 18, he was determined to get back to the roots of his German father and family. From there he left for London and travelled Europe as a session musician with the likes of Primary One, Charlie XCX, and Alex Metric, before relocating back to Australia. Recently though his own artist project has taken over his life like the pandemic has taken over ours, and it’s no coincidence that those two are related.
Sometimes, things just fall into place, even if it doesn’t seem like that at the beginning. What started out as a year full of restraint, ended up in a year full of releases for Evan Klar, turning a hopeless situation into his fortune. Signing with Groenland Records / Monchique in 2020 saw him drop single after single ‘I do’, ‘Make the Most of This’, ‘Costume Shop’ and collaborate with other Berlin artists like Novaa for ‘Figure it out’. Now, this year is still young and for Evan “Pop music keeps me young and happy” so there’s much to be expected from the German-Australian in the near future.
evanklarmusic.com
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