Exron Exclusive Interview: Kevin Silvester

Following a relative silence, rising artist Kevin Silvester caught up with Exron to discuss his new single, “Be the One.”

Following his latest single “Crywolf”, the Australian singer/songwriter is preparing to release a new single on his debut album ‘Sleepwalker’. “Be The One” takes listeners on an emotional lyrical journey, while blending pop and electronic beats into a soothing melody. This talented young artist is well on his way to making waves in the music scene. Without further ado, take a deep dive into the mind and life of Kevin Silvester with this exclusive interview!

Exron Music: We read that you began writing music at age 11 and taught yourself music production by age 13. What motivated you to start so young? Did you have any role models growing up?

As a kid, I always loved messing around on instruments and making up little songs, from writing a song about the cuteness of my plushies to writing about the thrill of dying. While the other kids were out playing in mud, I was writing a serenade for my plushies. Nothing really motivated me to start at a young age. It was just what I loved doing as a kid. 

It wasn’t until I heard Krewella for the first time that I really wanted to start producing my songs, especially with electronic music production. So they were definitely my most significant musical role models growing up. I would die for Yazzy and J.

Exron Music: Congrats are in order for your upcoming releases! 2023 seems like it’s going to be a busy year for you. How do you feel about the world finally getting to hear “Be The One” on ‘Sleepwalker’?

I am beyond excited to share my new music with the world. These songs all started off as little musical poems in my notebook that says “Words of Unwisdom – DO NOT OPEN!!!” on the cover, and to fathom that they’ve become entirely produced songs ready to be heard is insane. It’s been a long time coming as well. The album was first conceptualized three years ago, but I felt like I was improving musically so I kept taking songs out and putting better ones on the tracklist. 

I’m also nervous about putting out the music video because I play a scummy cheater in it, and I promise I’m not like that. Pinky promise.

Exron Music: Having classical training in the piano and cello, it’s clear you have a refined ear when it comes to stringing sounds together.  Could you describe your creative process when making a song?

My background in classical music has helped me gain a deep understanding of music theory and allows me to compose with the idea of dynamic and textural contrast. Most of the time, a really catchy hook would just pop into my head for absolutely no reason and I would fumble around for my phone to quickly get it down. For example, one day, the line “is it selfish of me if I just wanna be the one” just randomly came to me whilst driving, and I was like, “Hey Siri, can you please voice memo this?”. There have been times when I would just unintentionally zone out at a dinner table and run off to voice memo an idea, leaving my family confuzzled and bewildered.

Exron Music: Your new single “Be The One” delivers a really profound and disarming message. Can you share your vision behind the track?

With this song, we tried to describe the heavy insecurities one may suffer due to their partner’s infidelity with metaphorical imagery, such as “window sills are filled with flies”, symbolizing the disrepair of the relationship. Half of the lyrics are rhetorical questions asked from a perspective of desperation and insecurity. Some of the questions are almost absurd – is it selfish of me if I just want to be the one that would take a bullet to save your life? Like, who asks that? We tried to utilize these crazy questions to encapsulate the state of absolute agony. Of course, the song is then juxtaposed with a boppy production because I wanted people to weep and dance their heads off simultaneously. It’s my evil master plan.

Exron Music: It’s noteworthy that you and JVCQUI completed the track together over the phone during Melbourne’s lockdown.  How, if at all, do you feel the pandemic impacted your musical content/style? 

The pandemic has made my music more introspective than ever. When the whole world stopped and nothing was happening, I really had to dig inside my mind and imagination to pull out emotions to write about.

Exron Music: How has Australian music culture impacted your work as an artist? What drew you to artists such as Illenium and Grey for inspiration?

I don’t think I’ll be wrong to say that Australia’s music culture is mainly centered around Indie/Alternative pop, which I absolutely adore and take inspiration from all the time. However, I think there’s a long way to go for the electronic music scene here. I’m happy that artists like Alison Wonderland, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Peking Duk are paving the way for Australian electronic artists. Still, I don’t think the electronic culture here is as developed and supported as it could be. I think it’ll be my mission to bring something to the electronic music scene here.

Similar to how Krewella influenced my music, Illenium and Grey inspired me to combine pop vocals with electronic production. They’re geniuses at using production to convey a message and set an overall atmosphere for the song.

Exron Music: Given the duality of your pop vocals and evocative electronic beats, your sound has really wide-reaching potential.  Can you share with fans the spot you’re most excited to perform at this year?  Any dream venues you’d want to play in the future?

I’m planning a headline show at Melbourne’s Rubix Warehouse later this year, a venue known for being the home of Melbourne’s electronic scene. I’m super excited as it’ll be my first time doing a set that combines live vocals, MIDI and DJing all together. We’re working very hard on the visual elements as well. I’d love to play at the Forum in Melbourne, which is probably my favourite venue in Melbourne. I would love to play at an aged-care facility too – that’ll be pretty cool.

Exron Music: Who do you want to be as an artist five years from now, then ten?

I think many things that usually define “success” seem superficial to me. The music industry is constantly changing, and you never know where you’ll be and the type of music you’ll be making in five or ten years time. For me, success is being able to form a strong connection with my audience, whether that’s through my lyrics or through my live shows – because that will never be unimportant to me, despite how quickly the music industry is changing nowadays. My bond with my audience is something I will forever cherish and I’d love for that connection to be further expanded upon in the next decade. I would also love to collaborate with Prince and Amy Winehouse, if possible.

Big thanks to Kevin Silvester for joining this interview. Make sure to stay connected with him via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!