Unveiling 'Vincent': A Journey Through Art and Emotion with Alnev
Written by: Keyali Mikaela
Cover photo by Juda Katz
Today, we are thrilled to welcome a remarkable artist who has captivated audiences with his raw, confessional songwriting and unique sound. Alnev, the creative force behind the compelling EP "Vincent," joins us to delve into the intricacies of his latest project, his artistic journey, and the inspirations that fuel his music. With a narrative style that takes listeners through the life of an artist, Alnev's work on "Vincent" stands out not only for its sonic diversity but also for its deeply personal storytelling. Join us as we explore the mind and music of Alnev, uncovering the passion and vulnerability that define his art.
Photo by Nechemiah Blokh
Next Wave: What was the overarching theme or concept behind the "Vincent" EP?
Alnev: “Vincent” is a story. A narrative of the life of an artist. Each song on “Vincent” takes place consecutively, beginning with the troubled beginnings of an artist (“Vincent [Intro] and Van Gogh”), the redemptive moment where he leaves the darkness and finds his friends on the other side (“Die for Family”), an inevitable unhealthy attachment (“drugs”), a descent to complete chaos (“R.I.P.”), and the introduction to a new character; the doomed love interest (“even if you don’t”). Sonically, my goal with this project was to focus on diverse soundscapes that give each song its own distinct place in the conceptual universe of “Vincent”.
Next Wave: How did you approach the creation of the "Vincent" EP differently from your previous work?
Alnev: In my previous work, I think I was much less particular and just learning as I went along. I wasn’t necessarily certain what I wanted from the songs, and a lot more time was spent in the learning process. In 2020, once production had begun on “Vincent”, I started to think about the production at a larger scale, with a much more direct focus, and in context with the EP as a whole. Building the world around “Vincent” was a vital part of the process.
Next Wave: Did you collaborate with any other artists or producers on the "Vincent" EP? If so, how did these collaborations influence the final product?
Alnev: Absolutely. This work would not exist without two of its incredible producers, Shlomo Wolf and Yosef David. Shlomo produced “Van Gogh”, “Die for Family”, and “drugs”, while Yosef produced “R.I.P.” and “even if you don’t”. I self-produced the intro track, ”Vincent (Intro)”, which I’m really proud of. As someone who hasn’t yet taken on the full role of a “producer”, it’s really awesome to release something I produced myself. Collaborating with Shlomo and Yosef was truly wonderful. They’re incredible producers as well as incredible human beings, and they really put the songs first. And everything was recorded in our bedroom studios, which I think is pretty cool.
Next Wave: Do you have a favorite track on the "Vincent" EP, and if so, why does it stand out to you?
Alnev: It’s really hard to choose; I love them all for such different reasons. If I had to choose, I think I’d say “even if you don’t” is probably my favorite right now. I think it’s just so evocative and vulnerable, and makes me wanna cry and yell at the same time. The production was so tedious on that song, and it really took so much time to complete. I really cared about making every moment count on that one, and I think it shows. I especially love the bridge and the outro. Just killer moments on a killer song.
Photo by Juda Katz
Next Wave: How do you feel your music has evolved since your first single in 2019?
Alnev: I think I’ve grown a lot. As a writer, a performer, a singer, a producer; I’ve really seen the impact time has had on my artistic process. I’ve learned so much and spent so many hours creating and writing music and it’s really cool to watch my growth over time. Luckily, I have always been passionate about writing and loved the things that I create, and that hasn’t gone away. 2019 feels like yesterday and also feels like a million years ago. I think since then, I’ve gotten much better as an artist and much more sure of what I want.
Next Wave: If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Alnev: I would kill to write a song with Julia Michaels. I’m constantly blown away by her lyrical prowess and her melodic genius, and she’s truly a huge inspiration of mine. I think it’ll happen. I’m excited for that.
Next Wave: Your music is known for its raw confessionals and honesty. Why is it important for you to be vulnerable in your songs?
Photo by Nechemiah Blokh
Alnev: I don’t really know any other way to do it. I’ve always felt like my writing was just an outlet for my feelings. It’s like a faucet I can’t turn off. And I don’t want to. I think vulnerability is everything in music; the whole point of it is to share your perspective. Your experience. Real artists paint a picture of the world the way they see it, you know? And I think that’s what strikes people. The art you can feel. The art that says all the things you’re too scared to say, all the things you don’t even know how to say. It’s super important to me to be vulnerable; there’s nothing more meaningful than that.
Next Wave: Your songs explore themes like despair, love, and heartbreak. How do personal experiences influence your songwriting?
Alnev: Nearly all of my songwriting is based on personal experiences. Writing has always been a way of channeling my expression, whether it’s a song or a poem or even a short story. I’ve found that writing about my negative experiences, whether it’s despair or heartbreak, is such a beautiful and freeing thing. It gives me a place to let it out, to turn it into something beautiful, something I can share with others. It’s such an incredibly powerful tool.
Next Wave: "Van Gogh" was highly anticipated. What inspired this song, and how did you feel about its reception?
Alnev: “Van Gogh” was originally inspired by a shower thought. Like literally in the shower. I was thinking about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Vincent Van Gogh, and the tragedy of his life. The world only recognized the magnificence of his art after his death. I felt very connected to that; being an artist with a difficult life and the fear of never being seen for your creations. “Van Gogh” struck a chord in a lot of people. It’s my most successful song and it’s such a joy to see a song that I love so dearly resonate with so many. I’m very proud of it.
Next Wave: How did you approach the visuals and artwork for the "Vincent" EP? Do any of the visuals hold special significance to the music?
Alnev: The visuals around “Vincent” were very particular. From the start, I had so many visual ideas for it. There are a lot of thematic elements, different modes and mediums that each represent parts of the conceptual universe; whether it’s TV screens, hair color, oil paint, specific emojis, or glowing iconography. Everything has meaning. I’m a big fan of creating a world around the music, so it has a place to live. A place you can visit when you listen. It took a very long time and many different versions before I settled on the EP cover art. I’m really happy with the art I chose; it feels like a perfect window into the world of “Vincent”.
Stream ‘Vincent’ here. And follow Alnev on social media below:
