SYDNEY-BASED artist St. Humain joins us on Close-up Culture for a chat about his latest feel-good single Fever Vibe.
Q: ‘Fever Vibe’ captures the optimism and excitement a person can feel in the early stages of a relationship. Was this song inspired by your own loved-up experiences?
A: IT is funny you use the plural there because that’s what made it. Fever Vibe is about having somebody to love. I was thinking about all the times in my life where I had this feeling, combined them all and did my best to tell the story in three minutes!
This is a upbeat track that people will be able to relate to.
Q: Do you see yourself as an artist who likes to transfer positive vibes through your music and to your audience?
A: THANK you so much! Positive vibes are a good thing. I mean, the world has enough hate as it is… I wanna make the world a better place. It’s a bold statement I know, but I think we all need to do our bit no matter what that looks like right?
Q: I saw a fun video on Instagram of your cover shoot for Fever. Why the mini paddling pool?
A: HA yes! I had a lot of fun with Jason Denison, who did the cover shoot. When dreaming up the artwork for Fever Vibe I knew I wanted something fun and ridiculous, and found this inflatable kid pool for ten dollars. It came with colourful plastic balls too so that was awesome. I think it reflects the sound of the song, and I think it also helps tell the story of a mood spilling over, like what the some is describing.
Q: You collaborated with Simon Cohen and Leon Zervos on the song. Can you talk about that experience?
A: THEY are really industry pros, and I’m the newbie here. Leon mastered the song and did such a fantastic job. Simon mixed it, and I remember that late Sunday night in the studio. Every other room was empty, and we were trying to get the mix just right. Shout out to the good crew over at Studios 301 here in Sydney!
Q: Can you name a few people you would love to collab with in the future?
A: THIS is a tough one but if I had to pick three… Julia Michaels. Max Martin. Zedd. I think they’re geniuses. I’d add Ariana Grande too but I think I’m too scared vocally to sing anything with her ha!
Q: You have been described as genre-agnostic – which I love. Do you like not being defined or placed in one category?
A: IT is a term that my Capitol crew Listen For Pleasure came up with, and I think it’s very accurate for who I am currently. I mean, I do have a pop backbone but I think I like too many other kinds of music to want to fit into one box.
One day I want to do R&B. Another day I feel like singer/songwriter. I’m so scatterbrained it’s not even funny. I think boxes are funny and hey it’s 2018, music is so blurred now.
Q: You moved from Singapore to Sydney, Australia five years ago to pursue your music dreams. How big of a decision was that for you and how have you adapted to the change?
A: IT felt right to move back then, and I’m glad it still feels the same right now. It was big, but nothing was a true shock. I uprooted everything but I think because I wanted to move, the little things didn’t bug me. I’m much better off just in terms of life, so I think you can say I’ve adapted well.
Q: ‘Fever Vibe’ is from your highly-anticipated debut EP ‘EMOTIONAL SAUNA’, which arrives January 2019. What can we expect from your debut EP?
A: IT is a journey and a confessional… I think once you hear the narrative from track one to the end, you’ll get why I say so. There are the bops we know and also a new school power ballad too. That one’s real vulnerable. Anyway, The EP’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!