Hannah Karydas, Eves
Don't sedate, provoke!
Softly spoken but self assured, 19-year-old singer-songwriter Hannah Karydas has already ticked off what many artists spend their whole lives trying to grasp. Gracing stages across the UK, playing highly respected national festivals and recently returning from her very first co-headline tour, Hannah – aka Eves – has now reached a turning point in her career. Being tagged as one of the country’s most promising young acts to watch, Hannah is sitting on the cusp of success, with the highly anticipated release of her next single due later this month. Growing up in Far North Queensland, Hannah drew early musical inspiration from her dad’s record collection – think greats like Springsteen, Carole King and The Beatles – and started plucking away on her brother’s guitar at the age of 12. Her first release, ‘Heavy’ arrived in July last year, closely followed by the ethereal ‘Zen’ in September, confirming that we could indeed count another great talent among Brisbane’s musical cohort. The songstress will be sweeping local audiences off their feet at the all-ages launch of Brisbane Youth Week in Reddacliff Place from 6:00 pm on Friday April 4. Ahead of the hometown gig, the lyricist dropped into The Weekend Edition office to talk early beginnings, transformations and little white lies.
Tell us about your very first on-stage performance …
Picture Cairns Has Got Talent. I was ten and sung ‘Fly’ by Hilary Duff. I think I made it to the semi finals.
How did it feel trying to break in to the Brisbane music scene after moving south from Cairns in 2010?
At first I felt like a small fish in a large ocean. But as I’ve got on and met people, it’s opened up and is now like a big group hang. Everyone knows and endorses everyone.
What’s the biggest myth about the music industry?
That it’s intimidating! I approach it objectively, and it really isn’t!
You adopted the moniker Eves last year; why did you choose to take on a stage name?
I love having an alt-self. It’s like I’m chiselling out a new reality and creating a stereotype of myself. I want people to know Eves like they’d know a very specific room with very a specific atmosphere and colour … I wouldn’t say I’m putting myself in a box – the more specific I am, the more general I become.
We love your self-made clips for ‘Zen’ and ‘Heavy’. Can you tell us a bit about the filming experience?
I shot the ‘Heavy’ video in Wynnum, and the ‘Zen’ video was in some carpark in the city. I don’t think I spent any money on either of them, aside from travel costs and money for material to make the cape in ‘Heavy’.
You signed a management deal with Brisbane’s Mucho Bravado in January, how did that come about?
Ben Preece, being the excellent guy he is, unofficially helped me out over the last few months of 2013. We discovered that we thrived working together, so we decided to become manager and artist, officially!
We also heard whispers that you faked an English accent to get airplay on BBC Radio Oxford?
Yes, well, it’s probably been my most badass moment so far. I was in England for a few months and sent a demo to the BBC radio station. However, they only accept music from local artists … Little did they know!
What’s been your biggest pinch-me moment so far?
Seeing people react to my music! Making that connection is so important. Even though it’s still early days, I’m really thrilled that people are vibing it.
What are you working on at the moment?
My next single is being mixed and I’m also putting together my ‘team’. The Eves world is piecing together really vibrantly and I can’t wait to release this next piece!
When can we expect to hear it?
Late April or early May.
What do you hope your life will be like in ten years’ time?
If I’m anything like St. Vincent when I’m 29, I’ll be happy.
What is your idea of complete happiness?
You know what, I go through so many phases, and I think I’ll always be someone who changes rapidly. I love change. I think I have a short attention span – that, or I really like absorbing information. Regardless, let me be physically and mentally nomadic and I’ll be alright.
Which other Australian musicians are you listening to right now?
Courtney Barnett, The Preatures, Dustin Tebbutt and The Creases.
If you could collaborate with any person in the world, who would it be?
If George Lois could make some stellar visual manifest to my music, that would be absolutely killer.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t sedate, provoke!
And the worst?
I can’t think of a worst because fortunately bad advice doesn’t stick in my mind.
How do you define ‘success’?
A streak of euphoria that subsequently morphs into an inextinguishable desire to surmount my recent achievement.
Only a Brisbane local would know … To the Marilyn Monroe lady who’s always hanging out in Queen Street Mall: I salute you!
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … West End Markets.
Relax … Burleigh Heads.
Dine … My Thai Kitchen, Milton.
Shop … Folio Books, Brisbane City.
Catch up … Boundary Street, West End.
Be inspired … People watching, anywhere!