“How do I want to be seen when I’m 40?” That’s the question shaping Kevian Kraemer’s every move and underscoring his latest EP, Jersey or Mars. Written in the aftermath of heartbreak and recorded over months of long studio nights and reflective conversations, Jersey or Mars sees the Asbury Park native step into his sound more intentionally than ever before. It’s an honest, danceable time capsule of where he’s been and where he hopes to go. Kevian’s first headline tour kicks off this July, and he plans to bring these songs to the live stage with the same chaotic, cathartic energy his fans have come to know and love. And with new music in the works, he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Imagine you’re stranded on Mars with one snack and one song to keep you company. What’s your snack, what’s your song, and why?
Maybe Harvest Moon by Neil Young. It’s a super nostalgic song for me. I heard it when I was really little, then maybe one time in middle school, then in high school. When I took my first trip to Nashville, I made a bunch of new friends. We were on the way to go cliff diving somewhere away from the city, and my friend Liv put the song on. It was a really cool subconscious full-circle moment. So maybe that one.
That’s ultimate. It’s cool to have a song take on different forms throughout your life like that.
Yeah, for sure. I’m obsessed with so many different kinds of music, but Neil Young has to take the cake there. And a snack. Is sushi a snack? I’m gonna say a spicy tuna roll. If we need an actual snack, probably Trader Joe’s peanut butter cups.
That’s a good pull, I love those. Harvest Moon’s themes of nostalgia tie in well with your upcoming EP releasing this Friday. Lead single “Rearview,” which came out a few weeks ago, is a bittersweet and honest reflection on a past relationship, but sonically, it’s energetic. Makes me want to go for a drive with the windows down. How do you translate these real and raw feelings into something that ultimately ends up sounding upbeat and danceable?
It starts with a conversation with the producer I’m working with. In this case, for “Rearview,” it’s Simon Oscroft, who’s absolutely amazing. He starts with a conversation about what’s been on my mind recently. I had recently come out of a two-year relationship, and he was like, “What’s up, dude?” I told him I was frustrated about how that relationship ended, but knew it was the best choice for both of us. That’s where the ideas come from — conversations, as well as surrounding myself with like-minded people. That’s what leads to the contrast between the music and lyrics for “Rearview.” We sat down for two and a half hours, nerded out on guitars, and built that world. For me, this EP is like my intro into the world of full-time music.
How do you think you’ve grown as an artist since you released your debut EP last year?
It’s like night and day. For my first-ever EP, Seventeen, I worked over Zoom after school with a bunch of producers. There were a million things going on in my life and I couldn’t really think about how I wanted to portray myself musically. I was kind of on autopilot. After putting that out, I spent time traveling, meeting new friends, and honing in on who I want to be ten years down the line. With Jersey or Mars, it feels like I’m finally making the music I want to make, and that wasn’t really the case with Seventeen. That was kind of just me throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what stuck. When it comes to putting stuff out, it’s always there on the internet – like a little time capsule. I’m super stoked because this project is something I feel like I can identify with for the rest of my career.
Looking back and reflecting on that growth over time is so important. You’re originally from Asbury Park, New Jersey, a town I absolutely fell in love with when I attended Sea Hear Now Music festival in 2022. What was it like growing up in a place that values music and community as much as Asbury does?
Asbury Park is as raw as it gets when it comes to the idea that you don’t need to project yourself for anyone. Really cool people come out of there. Fletcher went to my rival high school, she’s absolutely amazing. I grew up playing music through Lakehouse Music Academy. I had ADHD and my mom said I was tapping on things too much, so she put me in drum lessons. That literally sparked everything.
Shoutout mom!
Shoutout mom. Happy late Mother’s Day to everyone’s mothers! I started drum lessons, joined a few bands, and grew up playing in a bunch of different band projects. That gave me the confidence and experience I needed to really step out and put myself out there. It also gave me the biggest yearning to play live. Anytime I’m making a song in the studio, I’m literally just thinking about how it’s going to be live. Asbury has given me some of my best friends and some of the craziest moments. And it’s still alive and well! It was the coolest gift growing up there.
I want to move there one day. For fans who will be attending your upcoming summer tour, what can they expect from your performances?
They can expect to lose their voices. I hope they bring earplugs. I’ve only toured once or twice before, but I’ve found that my fans and listeners are really fun, really rowdy. Everyone goes crazy screaming the words and it reflects back to us onstage. We go crazy, my bassist’s falling, my drummer’s throwing cymbals all over, I’m screaming and it’s just a great time. Expect some craziness.
*I’ll have to catch your Mercury Lounge show on July 9!
We’re hopefully going to sell it out! Sometimes I find myself sitting and listening to the project whenever I have some free time, just imagining what the tour will look like and who’s going to be there and what lyrics people will scream back.
How does all that you’re doing this year with your EP and tour mark a new direction for you?
I’m extremely excited to start working on the next project. I’ve been working with my favorite people from the Jersey or Mars experience and stepping into a new sound. If Jersey or Mars is a more mature Seventeen, then this upcoming project is an even more mature Jersey or Mars. I’m really excited about these next few months before tour, trying to finish the project and then conceptualizing the whole thing. I think the direction I’m taking is just another step towards what music will be best live. I ask myself, “How do I want to be seen and thought of when I’m 40?” I want to sound more like a band. I want to step into the roots I grew up on, which was a lot of rock n’ roll and alternative rock. I think my creative team and I are doing a really good job of that so far. There’s so much good stuff on the way that I honestly can’t pin down one thing. I’m just here in the moment.
That’s an amazing way to be. Sounds like there’s a whole lot on the horizon for you, and also a lot of amazing things happening right now. Do you have any final thoughts to share with us?
I hope everyone enjoys the project. And if you can come and catch a show, you should, because I think you’ll have a really fun time. That’s our job – to give you a really fun time.
To celebrate Jersey or Mars, Kevian will be heading out on his first-ever headline run of shows. The Jersey or Mars Tour will travel and make major stops at The Mercury Lounge in New York City (July 9), The Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles (July 21), and an already sold-out night at Kilby Court (July 18) in Salt Lake City.
Kevian Kraemer Tour Dates:
July 8 – Boston, MA – Middle East Upstairs
July 9 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
July 10 – Philadelphia, PA – The Lounge at World Cafe Live
July 11 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd
July 15 – Chicago, IL – Beat Kitchen
July 17 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
July 18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
July 20 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar Music Hall
July 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge
July 24 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada
August 1 – Asbury Park, NJ – House of Independents
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