BTS with Still Woozy
Written by Maia Thomas
Sven Gamsky is the voice and visionary behind the genreless musical artist Still Woozy based in Oakland, California. Chances are if you’ve dug into the indie music world to any extent, you’ve heard the name tossed around quite a bit. Although tricky to categorize this style conventionally, the unique sounds produced are sure to please ears of many. Gamsky writes relatable lyrics layered with funky beats, underlying sample sounds, and dreamy vocals that are sure to put you in that hazy daydream mood.
Unfiltered Zine had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of this press conference to kick off the release of Still Woozy's latest single, “BS”, alongside past works. (Thank you so much 1824!) Here we got an inside look on the musical process, inspiration, and more.
Is this new single a glimpse into the direction that you’re going to be taking your music, or is this different than your future singles?
Based on the stuff I've already made, I always try to make something that keeps my interest and there's all these different things that I want to try. I wouldn't say that's really indicative of what’s coming, but it’s part of a big picture if that makes sense.
Cover art of "BS", designed by Cooks
Most of your cover art is made by your fiance. How does her art inspire your music?
I would say more like she inspires my art. I wouldn't say it's her art. She puts art into every little thing she does, it's so inspiring to see that. She got so good at making these fancy things out of nowhere y'know. Or when she dresses she puts all this detail. She just makes her whole life into the art and I feel like that has inspired me more than anything else. She’s incredible.
Even with the sore or sad subjects, you make your listeners feel better by the end of your songs. How is that music reflective of your own character and personality?
For me music is kind of a coping mechanism. I have emotional stuff that i’m working through and so it helps to create a safe space to get a little break from yourself or whatever you need. I created it to help me first - if it can provide some level of buffer or create these feelings that will help me, I know that it can do the same with other people.
What about the production process do you most enjoy and why do you continue to self produce as your music gains traction?
I love playing with sounds and textures, it's just so much fun to make beats and create something out of nothing. Feeling all the textures of the drums and building from the skeleton outwards forming the muscles. As it takes shape it always blows my mind a little bit. I’m such a perfectionist - when you give stuff for someone else to do it’s never going to be your true vision. You can hear it, you would be able to tell if I got someone else to produce me a song, it wouldn’t sound like the stuff that i've done. I’ve curated my own tastes over the years, there’s certain sounds that just resonate with you. That's the beautiful part of self producing, you're curating all these sounds for people. Maybe that’s why it feels like a unified whole because it's my particular lens. You would lose that if you get beats produced for you.
What’s the ultimate way to experience a Still Woozy song?
The way that I produce it, it kind of is like a headphone experience. I mix in these tiny little noises in the right ear or something and if you’re on headphones you would hear that a lot more than if you were on your phone or something. I would put on headphones and go on a walk or something like that, yeah.
What advice do you have for artists that want to grow?
Focus less on getting big or famous and focus more on the music. Get that to a point where you feel like it’s on the same level as everything else out there. I think too many people get caught up on breaking too soon and they haven't figured out what they want to say or what they want to do with the music.
What’s the most memorable gig you’ve played and what happened?
There's been so many crazy shows, but one show pops into my head. Playing La Fonda in Los Angeles and crowd surfing on an inflatable rubber duckie. It was so fun! I had a wireless microphone and I was on top of the people, it was such good energy. I love rambunctious shit like that, it stuck out to me for some reason. The crazier the crowd gets, the crazier I'll get. The best shows are the shows that have no separation between me and the crowd, it’s nice to have that immediate feedback y’know.
What are the highs and lows of solo work compared to being in a band?
The highs are being able to have total control, being able to have an idea and execute it. When I'm working and I feel like I'm onto something I can't just go you know and get in the zone without anything to distract me. It’s the same with anything really, when you get in the zone it's best to let the energy keep going. Lows are just being a self-critical person and dealing with my own mental stuff. Getting stuck on things and not really having people to bounce it off of. My partner has to do a lot of the heavy lifting to help me move on or really get me to a spot where I can be objective again.
What have you been listening to recently while you’re at home?
I have been listening to the Dominic Fike album a lot, he just put that out and it makes me excited to put out an album too. There's a lot of songs that are more pop heavy and there’s some experimental stuff and some slower, acoustical stuff that I want to put out. That was nice to see what an album could be. I’ve also started to work out and listen to D’Angelo. With the stress of the pandemic and all this stuff, I can always turn to “Voodoo” by D’Angelo.
Most people would categorize your music as psychedelic pop. How do you feel about putting music into genres?
It’s more like a tool for people to navigate music so I can’t really knock it. I could never really describe my own music because I feel like I have so many different influences. It is what it is, I don't want to ever get stuck in a genre because I have too many ideas to be in one place. I don't want people to get used to one thing either. I want to have space to explore and express all of myself, all the different parts.
“BS” is out now on all streaming platforms!
Connect with Still Woozy here: