BoomBAP - Welcome Back Beven Stary

Beven Stary been busy lately. He just released an amazing album Worldwide Gospel Show. Go and check it out, and read the little interview we had.


Interview

How are you doing my man?
I’m good man. Just working and enjoying life’s fullness.

You’ve been pretty productive lately. How’s the drawing? When did you start and what made you start it?
Aw thanks. Yeah drawing was the first outlet for me creatively. My big brother Shaan and my Grandfather on my Mom’s side were both a big part of that. Whenever either would look after me as a kid we filled our free time with drawing. I was always super attracted to pen and ink. I got super into comic books in middle school which kind of kick started that. I was always really afraid to commit to it in the way I did on this project. I always dreamed about it, and I finally did it. I feel really good about it.

About the new record. First of all congrats! It’s an amazing album and probably my favorite one. It sounds pretty honest and personal. How was the process?
The process required a lot of patience and self belief for sure. I started the thing and was like, “where am I going with this?” I would write a song and be like “how can I get this on the same project as these other songs?” It felt impossible but I really just had to believe in myself and believe that what I was making was true. I wouldn’t be able to believe in the tracks or speak words of my own if they weren’t true. But, what really helped me finish the project was asking those questions in the first place. Rather than just accepting defeat and throwing the ideas away, I made something and thought, “what can I do with this?” Once I started asking those questions the ball started rolling, things came together and the ideas became easier to share.

What’s inspired you lately?
I’ve been super inspired by many of my family members for sure. I think about my family and friends that find ways to be creative in their lives. My Aunt and Uncle on my Dads side have made some really cool stuff, from paintings to sculptures, all of it. It’s so cool to me. My Mom always tells me about how her Dad worked at a super market while supporting his creative journey as a print maker. Pretty cool to think I’m doing something similar. I hope to inspire my family the way my family has inspired me.

What’s next for you?
I’m not sure. I’m trying to figure it out as I go, and stay in the moment. I’m enjoying the process making things and coming into a more confident version of myself.

What motivates you to create?
I’m not sure to be honest. It’s kind of like a habit that I’ve built up over the course of my life. It’s a coping tool I use to help express things I can’t put into words or a conversation. It fills the gaps in my day to day.

What first got you into music?
I first got into music when my Dad made all my brothers and I learn the violin. I wasn’t a fan of the violin at the time though, haha. My biggest influence on the music I make has definitely been my oldest brother Naveed for sure. Most of my time during schooling I almost exclusively listened to the music he put on my iPod or whatever I heard in his car. Kanye, Phonte, Kendrick, DOOM, Bright Eyes — a pretty wide variety of stuff. Just about every single song or artist I’ve ever liked feels connected to a memory of something he’s showed me and it’s not an exaggeration.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I like collaborating with people I have a genuine connection with. I don’t like the transactional nature of collaboration in hopes to get something other than a cool idea. If they like what I’m doing and believe in it I’ll probably be down regardless of their stature. I love working with Sun Sola, and 18buummm. I would love to get some tracks with my friend Quest who makes music under the alias A Producer Called Quest or APTCQ. He’s got some shit for sure.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Earl Sweatshirt, Drake, DJ Premier or Madlib. Those guys seem cool to me.

What is one message you would give to your fans?
At this point, it’s clear every person that listens to music and likes what I’m doing truly loves me for me and there’s no hidden motive. Everybody that’s here is supporting me for who I am as a person and not a projection or facade — it’s really real. Thank you.

What do you think about who’s poppin in New York right now?
RRR and Chuck Strangers for sure. Gabe Anderson and Johnny Tran do some really cool stuff. Frank Dorrey and Christopher Currence are definitely some of my favorites as well. There’s a lot of really cool art all around and it’s not hard to find if you keep your head up and look around.