 Courtesy of the Artist
"I'm not saying there's anything profound or special about this record, that's for you to decide." -Ervin Stellar
Michigan native Ervin Stellar merges Americana, folk, and roots rock on his long-awaited second album, The Moment. Via an effortlessly serene sonic landscape, Stellar delivers thoughtful songs of love and life that are intimate and moving. Here, Stellar answers his Essential 8 and talks Bob Dylan, shares the story behind the album's title, his favorite concert, and more. Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? Bob Dylan is my strongest musical influence. Not a mentor per se, but someone whom I’ve informally studied and gained awareness from. I’ve always been drawn to his lyrical sensibility and, often unconventional, song structures. With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? “Thick Skin” - I wrote it in a fews hours, fine tuning it over a couple days. It’s a relatively true account, so the lyrics came very quickly and I never felt like something was missing. I recorded it in my home studio while sick, the whole process being spur of the moment*. What’s the story behind your album’s title? The Moment title is shared with a favorite track on the album. A lot of my songs involve concepts of time, and in this case, the thoughts and feelings in a particular instance, kept inside, and not shared or visible to others. 
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
“WE should check our tuning…” - Tony Garnier of Bob Dylan’s band. Versus YOU. His way of diplomatically addressing tuning issues in the studio. Tony is a great person to have in a session because of the energy he brings and maintains. What’s the most frustrating thing about being on the road? Controlling the sound. I want the audience to hear the best of me, but some venues don’t have the resources to invest in their sound equipment, or sound personnel. Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative? I don’t drink while performing because it negatively affects my voice. But I don’t mind if the audience does. It can enhance their experience, suspending belief and releasing inhibitions… to a point. Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended? Fav: Depeche Mode at Jones Beach, NY. It was around 2015, but they sounded just like 1988 (recordings). Is there a recent release you cannot stop listening to? “Dreamtube” by Omar Velasco (Golden Child album). Feels nostalgic while modern, and the production quality is tops. Very dreamy. Website/Facebook/Instagram/Purchase
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