Still Woozy “Loveseat”
1824 Press Conference - July 2024
"When asked whether he sees his sophomore album as a continuation of his first album or a fresh chapter for him creatively, he noted, “I think it's a mix between the two. I think that there are some songs that I feel are more reminiscent of the first album, but I kind of made a conscious effort not to have it be only that. I wanted to introduce new sounds so that it’s not a shock when I start putting stuff out that's pushing things sonically.”
In a recent press conference with 1824, Sven Gamsky, known by his stage name Still Woozy, provided an introspective look into the evolution of his music with his latest album. To me, this album marks a significant shift from his previous project, showcasing a deeper commitment to storytelling and personal expression; all while maintaining his distinctive groovy production and vibe.
For his earlier works, Still Woozy often created songs based on the feelings they evoked. This time, he placed a stronger emphasis on the overall vibe while weaving in more intricate storytelling. His goal? To take listeners on a journey both lyrically and sonically. When asked whether he sees his sophomore album as a continuation of his first album or a fresh chapter for him creatively, he noted, “I think it's, it's like a mix between the two. I think that here's some songs that I feel like are more reminiscent of the first album, but I kind of made a conscious effort not to have it be only that. I wanted to introduce new sounds so that it’s not a shock when I start putting stuff out that's pushing things sonically.” I definitely appreciate this approach as a fan of his music because I think it has made, and will continue to make, his art feel cohesive but ever-changing.
Transitioning this album from the studio to the stage, Sven remarked that he found performing his more intimate and vulnerable music to be an incredibly cathartic experience. One standout moment has been the audience's reaction to his favorite track, "Rid of Me” where, when asked about performing with a live band, he stated: “So far, so we've only done two nights, but the last song on the album, “Rid of Me” is I think my favorite one on the album and it’s been feeling really good live […] It really seems like people are are receptive to it.” Initially, this song was placed differently in the album's lineup, but upon his manager’s suggestion, it became the concluding track. He said that this decision highlights the trial and error process of album sequencing, where he really wanted each song to flow seamlessly into the next without losing energy.
While Sven did say that he didn’t set out to convey a specific message with his album, he did hope people would recognize a recurring theme of embracing vulnerability. He said that he really believes in the importance of leaning into vulnerability rather than suppressing emotions. In a similar vein, while discussing different types of love, he highlighted the unbreakable nature of familial love, the depth of romantic love, and the significance of platonic love. The latter, often underestimated, he thinks plays a crucial role in his creative process. He made a really interesting remark about how, for him, a stable and familiar environment is essential for accessing deeper emotions and fostering creativity, but this need can contrast with the destabilizing nature of touring.
For those who haven’t been necessarily keeping up with the personal life of Still Woozy, he consistently praised his wife for her creative efforts on the visuals for the album, most notably the cover art [pictured above]. He also delved a little bit into how fatherhood has significantly influenced his work, instilling a sense of urgency and focus. He found that the impending arrival of his baby helped him organize and complete the album.
When it got to my question, I was eager to know about how he produced his songs. For fans of Still Woozy, you may have noticed how It sounds like many of his songs, especially on Loveseat, are built around a particular groove. I was interested to see if he typically started with drums or a particular BPM. He said that of a lot of it he actually started with guitar chords or piano parts. From there, he would identify the tempo that best fit the song in relation to the album as a whole. He stressed that there wasn’t some mechanical approach to production and that he doesn’t approach two songs the same way.
After listening to everything Still Woozy had to say about his latest album and then sitting with it for a few days myself, I can confidently say that while some critics may not be impressed, they are missing a key element of how this recent work is a real testament to his artistic growth and his dedication to exploring new creative avenues. By embracing vulnerability and storytelling, he has allowed himself to continuously evolve as an artist, offering his audience a deeply personal and resonant musical experience.