Souvenir speaks with us on his latest EP “Velvet” and more!
New York City based musician Souvenir is no stranger to making pop songs that get stuck in your head. His latest EP “Velvet” serves four brand new ear worms that are perfect for your summer playlist and beyond!
Souvenir’s music is a unique brand of synth pop magic. The Brooklyn based pop artist seeks to effortlessly reference the classic sounds he was raised on, while his millennial/Gen Z cusp sensibilities keep him proudly tuned in to the current pop frequencies. The result is an infectious testament to youth, heartbreak, and the modern queer experience, scored by sweeps and hooks fit for a queen (Carly Rae Jepsen). Souvenir’s heartbeat is synced with that of the east coast- from a small town on Cape Cod, to music school in Miami, to now being a true New York City Boy. Since his 2022 EP “Human Nature,” he’s worked with producer/collaborator FLORIO to course out a steady stream of singles, most notably his 2023 innuendo-soaked summer single “Soft Place to Land,” priming the stage for their upcoming project “VELVET.” Souvenir continues to forge his own path with the unshakable optimism of a true double Sag, to mine his share of pop euphoria.
Blending soft 70s funk arrangements with tongue-in-cheek lyrics (whose cheek it is, we’ll never tell…), “Velvet,” the title track off of NY-based queer synth pop artist Souvenir’s new EP, rides on a cool breeze of charisma and nostalgia. Champagne, coconut oil, a Harry Styles and Troye Sivan threesome, analog synth bass lines, and vocoder riffs- the lush bed of “Velvet” is irresistible and deeply satisfying. The 4-song EP, produced by FLORIO (Bentley Robles, LEXXE, Madison Rose) captures a perfect summer day- the bright, loud jumpstart of “Sweet Tooth,” the sun-kissed sparkling afternoon of “Dance Around It,” the post-disco nap golden hour of “Velvet,” and the blue, moonstruck power ballad closer of “No Other Way.” The world of Souvenir’s Velvet is one of decadence, romance, and pure summer pop bliss!
After my first listen to the EP, I was immediately entranced into Souvenir’s world, instantly bringing a fuzzy feeling in my chest. The first song on the EP titled “Sweet Tooth” genuinely makes me want to dance and move my body! The chorus is so catchy and easy to pick up to sing along, I can’t get this one out of my head. I can see myself listening to this track poolside all summer long. It also makes me want to take my boyfriend on a sunny summer vacation adventure to the closest beach I can find, sun bathing and enjoying every laugh while holding his hand. The track reminds me of all the beautiful things about being in love, and I just can’t get enough!
Souvenir is a genius following up that song with “Dance Around It,” another pure pop hit that makes me want to dance! The chorus to this song is infectious, it’s sweet, and something I’ll be singing all summer long. The production on this one is phenomenal, with a build up in the beginning of the track and hitting home straight into the chorus. From start to finish, I feel like I’m falling in love again. The butterflies in my chest, blue skies, and that warm fuzzy feeling that we all chase.
Once we get to the lead single and title track “Velvet,” I feel like I’m transported directly back in time to a funk infused modern 70s club, shades on, and a snazzy outfit on. The production on the instrumental here is limitlessly nostalgic with so many unique touches that I simply cannot get enough of. Combine that with Souvenir’s literal velvet and silky smooth vocals, it’s a match made in heaven. This track makes me want to take my partner out on a date night and dance the night away, falling in love with him all over again. The bridge on the track gives the song so much more depth, slowing it down a bit before picking us back up and bringing us on a synth infused journey.
Souvenir closes with the track “No Other Way,” a ballad backed with piano and emotional percussive elements combined with his beautiful vocal and lyrical abilities. When I first listened to this song, it felt like the curtains were closing to a show that made me laugh, cry, and give a standing ovation. I could feel the power and emotions behind his vocals, and felt like I was receiving a warm hug on my heart. A perfect closing track to a musical journey that I never wanted to end.
I had the chance to speak with him about the EP and more, check it out below!
Bryce: Hey there, Souvenir! I really love this new EP. How are you feeling now that it’s out for the world to hear?
Souvenir: Hello! I feel INCREDIBLE. It’s a beautiful day here in NYC, the first responses to the music have been so amazing! I’m feeling so lucky and privileged that I get to make art and share it with the world.
Bryce: Your music gives me a sense of queer freedom, especially with the first song on the EP titled “Sweet Tooth.” It makes me want to dance! Is this song about a situation or someone specific?
Souvenir: Not specifically, no! But you know I love to make fun of myself for being a self-proclaimed “saggiterrorist” – a real extroverted party girl, commitment-phobic, the works! And so that song is about kind of owning my free, fun, flirty side, whether it be with boys or anything else!
Bryce: Following that song with “Dance Around It” is perfect because that track also makes me want to move my body. It makes me feel powerful and free. Is there any tea on this song you can share with us?
Souvenir: Thank you! That song, crazy enough, I actually wrote 4 years ago! We’re so far past this era, but it’s about a time when my best friend and I both had secret feelings for each other, but neither wanted to express them for fear of disrupting our perfect dynamic. It’s funny to look back on that time now, but the song has always been so special to me and I knew I wanted to finally release it with this project!
Bryce: You’ve released some visuals for the lead single “Velvet” that match the aesthetic of the cover art, I love them so much! What was the process like for creating the visual aesthetic for this EP?
Souvenir: The visual process for this EP was quite a journey, but I’m so so happy with how it all turned out! Of course when I’m writing and creating these songs in the studio with my producer FLORIO, there’s immediate visual ideas that come to mind. But putting these 4 songs together I really struggled with deciding on a storyline/aesthetic that connected them all and felt right. Eventually I started working with my new visual team, Alexa and Sam of Alexa San Roman Productions! They were exactly the creative partners I needed to not only make sense of my moodboards and ideas, and actually execute and bring them to life!
Bryce: Are you planning on releasing a full music video for that song?
Souvenir: Not at the moment, no! But I definitely still have some visual treats up my sleeve.
Bryce: You close the EP with the heartfelt anthem “No Other Way.” I can feel the emotions behind this one. Can you give us some insight on what went into creating this track?
Souvenir: Oh yeah, hard to pick favorites, but that one is EXTRA special to me. It’s about selective memory, about how we choose to see our lives and those that touch them. I like to say it’s like my “Supercut” by Lorde. So it stirs up a lot of memories and feelings for me. And it’s another song that took several years to nail down! It actually, when we first wrote it, was in a full upbeat double-time feel, similar to “Dance Around It.” And then when we went back and turned it into this power ballad, it just totally locked in and broke me.
Bryce: I’ve had the privilege of seeing you live before and I enjoyed every moment. You bring these songs to life on stage and your vocal performance is quite impressive. How do you prepare for a live show and what can people expect when seeing you for the first time?
Souvenir: That’s so sweet, thank you! Yes I remember that night was so fun! My live shows are always special and unique, because I don’t really do them too often compared to some other independent artists. But I have an incredible band that really know how to bring the live energy to my music! Plus I just love yapping and joking and connecting with my audiences at my shows, they feel very intimate and casual in that way. But I also love throwing my entire body into them and getting my real pop star life! lol
Bryce: I’m such a huge Yavin fan and love LEXXE’s music too. They are both on your release show coming up in NYC, which is so exciting! How did you connect with these two artists and why did you pick them to be on your lineup?
Souvenir: YES, LEXXE AND YAVIN ARE EVERYTHING! I’ve been fans and friends with them for years- Yavin and I virtually, and LEXXE and I here in NYC (we share the same producer FLORIO and visual team Alexa San Roman Productions)! Both of their music makes me dance and cry and levitate and transcend this plane of existence and so when I heard that Yavin was coming through on tour (after playing Gay Bash’d- Boston’s biggest Pride event) and LEXXE just released an incredible new single “Real Bob Mackie” (off her upcoming Disco Witch EP), it was absolutely the stars aligning for the ultimate Pride Month pop party!!
Bryce: For first time listeners, how would you describe your sound and aesthetic within your discography? What is something you’d want them to know about you?
Souvenir: Ever since I started Souvenir (almost 10 years now!) I’ve gravitated towards a kind of neo-80s synth pop sound, inspired by both the classics I was raised on (George Michael, Phil Collins, Cyndi Lauper) and the sort of 2010s revival with artists like Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION, MUNA, The 1975, Troye Sivan. Souvenir means “to remember” in French, and I think it perfectly captures that nostalgic, classic feeling I’m always chasing. But I’m definitely a lover of pop music and storytelling first and foremost, so I love exploring sounds and genres and concepts pretty freely!
Bryce: Just because I’m curious, what are some of your go to bars and restaurants in NYC?
Souvenir: Hahaha don’t clock me like that! If you know me at all, you know I can be found at Flaming Saddles (where I’m hosting the official after party for the Red Eye EP Release Show on Wednesday June 11th!), Arriba Arriba (as my alter ego, Server-nir), The Rosemont and C’mon Everybody in Brooklyn. Anywhere I can dance and be with my LGBTQ+ nightlife community, I’m there!
Bryce: Are there any other musicians who helped inspire this EP or your music in general?
Souvenir: Omg way too many to name! But shoutout to all my fellow LGBTQ+ artists (in addition to LEXXE and Yavin) putting out incredible pop music right now- Tears & Gearz, Eli, MARIS, Sub Radio, MORGXN, Isaac Dunbar, The Beaches!
Bryce: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us here? Any more upcoming shows or surprises you can tell us?
Souvenir: Not at the moment! I’m excited keep promoting the EP, I’m excited for Pride and summer and hopefully playing more shows! And I’ve already started writing sessions for what’s next
Bryce: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Souvenir!
Souvenir: Thank you so much for chatting with me, I’m so grateful for the support and promo!
Be sure to check out Souvenir’s latest EP “Velvet” on all streaming platforms now and give him a follow on your favorite social media below!
