Few days ago, rising 17-year-old singer-songwriter Evann McIntosh (they/them) released a new song and video “ELECTRICITY”. Further exemplifying their “dreamlike take on alternative R&B” (Ones To Watch), Evann says that “‘ELECTRICITY’ is a very nice song about wanting to preserve the spark between you and somebody – the way someone would want to not waste electricity. I shot the music video with Caleb Carnell & his friends. I’m an electrician, it’s wild.“
 

 
Evann’s upcoming project ‘Character Development’ out August 27th via Mom+Pop, attempts to capture the turbulent act of coming-of-age. At times delicate to the touch and at times emanating a self-assured confidence well beyond their 17 years of age, Character Development is more than just Evann McIntosh’s transfixing new project; it’s their way of life.
 
Written and recorded primarily in the breakout star’s suburban Kansas bedroom, the 8-track collection mixes dark alt-pop and dreamy R&B with streaks of hip-hop, jazz, and funk, calling to mind everything from Prince to Billie Eilish as it grapples with growth and evolution, gender identity and sexuality, freedom, and self-expression. The project is a work of pure intimacy, a poignant and revealing portrait of modern adolescence from an artist unraveling the mysteries of their psyche one song at a time.

“This record is all about growth and change,” Evann explains. “I’m always evolving, and this project is the sound of that transformation, of one version of myself giving way to the next.”
 

33 TALKS WITH EVANN MCINTOSH

How did you find music? Did you grow up in a musical household, or are you first generation?

Music skipped a generation in my household. My mom’s dad was in a band I think. But nobody else is very musical.

Which decades of music influenced you the most and why? Name your favorite R&B/Soul/Jazz artists who inspires you constantly.

The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s most definitely. Prince, Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Marvin Gaye.

What makes ’Nobody Else’ single unique and what means to you personally?

I think lyrically that song is crazy. It’s very simple otherwise, a lot of my songs are writing focused though. I fantasize about having that type of pride and commitment and complete devotion for somebody. It’s about the ideal relationship and the feeling you’ve found a soulmate and the idea that there is only one person for you and nobody else. It is about monogamy.

What do you expect from your listeners with your new album ‘Character Development’?

I wrote this project during a period of my life that I could never go back and relive and relearn and rerealize all that I had then as I was writing music then. I got to preserve that portion of my life in Character Development and I hope that people going through similar phases in life have something to relate to.

When you’re not recording and performing, what other hobbies make you tick?

I dance in my garage, I read books, I watch movies and I spend lots of time with girls. 

What particular song you have written resonates with you the most?

It’s a song that’s not out yet, it’s called PRETTY, it’s with this producer RUNNERBOY, it’s very good. 

How you do approach making music? What’s your creative process?

I just let whatever happens happen, if I push something it is not very good. I do not have a particular process with it.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for independent artists nowadays? What would you change in a toxic system in order to help them more?

You gotta be confident in yourself, your work, and your vision and stand strong in all of it. You have to trust yourself and you have to believe in yourself, nobody else can do that for you the way YOU can. And you CAN do whatever it is you want to do. Know that. 

A letter to your FUTURE self. What would you write?

“Stop looking back on me in disgust you asshole.”