Evan Fernandez, a senior at NC, excels in his school life while managing his career as a music artist. Only 18, Fernandez has released three singles, including one demo, along with one extended play (EP) on his Spotify page, where his listeners can find him as “EF.” Approaching graduation, Fernandez plans to continue his music career into his adulthood while attending Belmont University to major in audio engineering and technology and minor in music business.
Fernandez’s love for music began at the young age of three when his father would play hit songs from The Beatles while his grandfather would play beautiful melodies on the piano. While Fernandez plays the piano and the drums, he specializes in guitar, as his songs mainly include a variety of sounds from electric to acoustic to bass. Fernandez first started guitar lessons in fifth grade, then quit after two months. However, he then rekindled his love for music when he found comfort in practicing the guitar every day for his entire freshman year, overall improving his playing abilities.
“I have memories of visiting my grandparents and hearing my grandpa play beautiful instrumentals on the piano when I was a kid. And in general, I don’t remember a time when my dad wasn’t playing the guitar. My favorite to hear him play was ‘When I’m 64.’ I’m so happy that some of my most heartfelt memories as a kid include my lifelong passion, which at the time, I didn’t know would turn into my future career,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez found himself writing his musical voice during his sophomore year of high school. After hearing experiences from friends in college majoring in music studies, Fernandez decided to turn his creative hobby into his future career. As an honors student, Fernandez currently fully dual-enrolls at Kennesaw State University. While passing his core classes, describing them as busywork, Fernandez incorporates his musical work into his everyday life. After schoolwork, Fernandez continues practicing his guitar skills, posting videos of guitar covers on his TikTok account to further his online presence.
Wishing to share his love and devotion to music, Fernandez offers guitar lessons to those who wish to join the musically inclined. Starting at $100, Fernandez offers four lessons for a month, one for each week, and offers a special free lesson for his close friends and family. Amidst graduation and studying for final exams, Fernandez spends his days working on his upcoming debut album. Wanting to promote a differentiation of sounds within his new record, Fernandez writes his songs focusing on introducing a different style for each one. Taking inspiration from his favorite band, Van Halen, Fernandez constantly wishes to incorporate elements of Eddie Van Halen’s music style within his work.
Already furthering his way into the music industry, Fernandez found his first feature for the new album. After reaching out to rising indie folk and pop artist Ava Beathard, Fernandez secured his third feature of his career, with Sebastian Rosseau acting as his first on the track, “Aphrodite,” and Dylan Emerson as his second on “In Vain.” Fernandez wishes to collaborate with several other artists in the near future, to not only promote his music but also to gain experience working with rising artists.
After receiving offers from prestigious musical colleges, such as Berklee College of Music in Boston, Fernandez chose to attend Belmont late last month due to their incredible audio engineering and music production program. Through BU, Fernandez plans to gain access to famous music studios in Nashville, such as Ocean Way studios and Studio 34, as well as receive internship opportunities in L.A., Hollywood and New York for music production companies such as Radio Corporation of America (RCA) studios, Columbia Records and Warner Records.
“In my next steps working on my new albums, I’ve already been working with artists all around the U.S. and seeing what I like and what fits in my new music style. BU has provided more studio space for me to use to make better music with higher-quality gear. Through BU, I will be taking internships in great cities through their Belmont U.S.A. program, where I’ll be working toward my diploma and making music with artists and producers,” Fernandez said.
The Chant acknowledges Fernandez’s musical skills and wishes him luck in his creative endeavors.
