Karl McCann is an alternative indie artist from Liverpool, UK. His latest single, “Evolve Zone”, just dropped. We had a chance to chat with McCann about the new track, as well as a multitude of other topics, as part of our Refrain Interview Series.
Refrain Music Blog: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You have a new single out now. What’s it called?
Karl McCann: “Evolve Zone”.
RMB: What is the song about?
KMC: The song is about evolving as a person. It’s both a literal song and metaphorical. I wrote the song in 2011 at the top of the staircase in my house at the time. I was sat outside a wall, a door and in a hall (all rhyming words in the song). It’s also about respecting other people as much as appreciating your own personal growth.
RMB: Is this single part of an album?
KMC: I don’t have any plans to put this recording on an album. It’s a re-recording of a track from my 2012 album “Naturealistic”, the original was just called “Evolve”.
RMB: How does this single differ from your original “Evolve”?
KMC: Over the decade of performing this song I have rehearsed it the most, added parts on and evolved the sound through music and live experience. I recorded this version using a condenser microphone and a computer. The original version was recorded on a 16 track multi-track recorder using a dynamic microphone. Without a metronome.
RMB: What’s the story on how it was recorded?
KMC: I recorded this single on the hottest day recorded in the UK so far. Very very hot, but I don’t get the enthusiasm to record that often, even though I’m pretty prolific. I’ve had a lot of practice of the track so it wasn’t too hard to lay down. The struggle was the temperature of the room more than anything.
RMB: When did you start playing music?
KMC: I started playing the keyboard when I was 7. Writing little riffs or whatever on it, that’s when I knew I wanted to be a musician. Learnt guitar in my early teens. I fronted rock bands for most of my teenage years performing in a lot of venues. Decided to take a more mellow music approach in my later teens and stayed there, apart from a couple of band projects since.
RMB: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
KMC: Elliott Smith, Lana Del Rey, Daniel Johns, Sean Ono Lennon.
RMB: What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?
KMC: I’m proud that I still have some enthusiasm to release music.
RMB: If you had to pitch your music to a potential fan in less than 10 seconds, what would you say?
KMC: Please don’t have any expectations. Just enjoy.
RMB: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that you think everyone needs to hear or that has meant the most to you?
KMC: If you’re recording vocals, don’t sing directly into the microphone, face about “2 o’clock” to avoid sibilance. Especially if you use a lot of reverb.
RMB: If you could go back in time, what’s a piece of advice you would give to a younger you?
KMC: Focus on your surroundings more. Be more aware of your experiences.
RMB: What’s coming up next for your musical project?
KMC: I’m performing live for the first time in 4 years soon. I plan to take a break from recording for a while, I always plan to and that never happens. Maybe this time it will.
RMB: Anything we haven’t thought of that you want to talk about? Now is the time!
KMC: The single “Evolve Zone” is out now on Spotify, Bandcamp and most other digital platforms.
Purchase “Evolve Zone” now on Bandcamp.
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