MusicsWeek: What inspired you to become a musician and what's been the driving force behind your passion for music?
Evan Cristo: Birth and my parents inspired me to become a musician. I have been playing drums since I was 2 years old. My passion for music currently comes from the knowledge that it is the most potent tool I have to create the change I wanna see in the world .
MusicsWeek: Your single "Gold Mine" has received a great feedback. Can you tell us about the creative process behind it?
Evan Cristo: It started from creating the instrumental, almost entirely on this Hammond, organ Inside the studio at work at. It was the first time I had ever made a beat on it. The lyrics poured out from Melody that poured out. My process is usually one where I try to flow through the creation without stopping any of it.
MusicsWeek: Your music often deals with genre of RnB. Can you speak to how you approach these genre in your art?
Evan Cristo: I completely ignore the idea of genre when I’m creating. I think R&B comes out naturally because that is most of the Music I was exposed to growing up.
MusicsWeek: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Evan Cristo: Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder are my musical gods. I also artists like Olodum and Fela Kuti And a lot of folklore music of the African diaspora.
MusicsWeek: Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Do you start with a melody, a lyric, or an idea?
Evan Cristo: I start with whatever comes first that day. It could be Rhythm it could be a melody. It could be a lyrical idea. It’s usually some musical aspect often times I’ll go to voice notes or written notes I have in my phone to help complete the idea. But my process relies heavily on flow and whatever is happening that day or whatever’s on my mind.
MusicsWeek: You've toured extensively throughout your career. What's been the most memorable experience you've had on the road, and why?
Evan Cristo: The American music abroad tour was extremely memorable for the simple fact that it allowed me to see different walks of life throughout Latin America. It was sponsored by the US state department and had all this protection, but since all of the band members and I spoke fluent Spanish, we were able to make our own connections while we were there.
MusicsWeek: Your music often features collaborations with other artists. Can you speak to the importance of these collaborations and who you enjoy working with the most?
Evan Cristo: I love collaborating with artists who have something that I respect, even if it’s just their personality. I know that osmosis is a very strong force in the universe so I take full advantage of it by trying to be around people I admire want to absorb something from.
MusicsWeek: How do you balance your creative vision with the commercial pressures of the music industry?
Evan Cristo: I don’t worry about commercial pressures until the music is for sale. My creative vision never actually considers what happening commercially.
MusicsWeek: What do you think sets your music apart from other artists in the RnB scene?
Evan Cristo: I think my heavy influence from world music helps to set me apart. I think a lot of the consciousness ideas that I get from growing up Buddhist are becoming more common place with people like Jhené Aiko and others who were bringing some of these idea into the forefront. I am happy to be a part of that movement in music.
MusicsWeek: If you could collaborate with any artist (alive or deceased) on a song, who would it be and why?
Evan Cristo: I really want to collaborate with Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Jhené Aiko, SZA, Vince Staples, Nile Rodgers just to name a few
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