Today, Sevana announces the release of her EP Be Somebody (out July 31) with her first single and video “If You Only Knew.” Produced by Kelsey Gonzalez, bassist for Free Nationals, the song is the Jamaican singer-songwriter’s major label debut since signing with RCA Records in partnership with In.Digg.Nation Collective facilitated through the relationship with Six Course Records.
Love is boundless on the new melodious anthem. Sevana sings with beaming optimism inspired by the concept of going the distance in a relationship, physically and emotionally. As displayed in the song’s video, she travels on foot, by boat, car, and motorcycle over the easy-going rhythm. Director Yoram Savion captured the theme of “If You Only Knew” by filming Sevana in Dakar, Senegal, and Portland, Jamaica.
“If You Only Knew” sets the tone for Sevana’s forthcoming 6-track EP Be Somebody, (In.Digg.Nation Collective/Six Course/RCA Records). On the EP, she ventures on a path of self-discovery and love, complimented with minimally eloquent production that gives room for her soaring vocals and emotive lyrics to take center stage. The EP’s title track encourages the listener to reach one’s full potential despite overwhelming feelings of doubt amidst the pressures of the world. “Let me be greater than this,” Sevana wails with intensity. One of the album’s crown jewels “Set Me On Fire” is a tale of revenge in a relationship where she turns her tragedy into triumph. On the more flirtatious track “Mango,” Sevana has space to flow in her sultry Jamaican accent over a minimal backdrop of airy synths and tickling guitar notes. “I wanted to take the listener on a meaningful journey and I think I did that,” she says about her EP. In addition to Kelsey Gonzalez lending production, Izy Beats, J Vibe, Protoje, J.L.L. and Paris La Mont Dennis II anchor the EP with a diverse palette of sounds.
Sevana is poised to reach great heights with her limitless vocal range and soulful depth. Born Anna-Sharé Blake in Jamaica’s parish of Westmoreland, Sevana coined her name after Savannah-La-Mar, the picturesque coastal town where she grew up. Her musical awakening began at eight-years-old over Sunday morning breakfast, when she broke out in an impromptu rendition of Celine Dion’s “A New Day” for her family. “Music has always felt instinctual to me. When I’m spilling over with feelings I write it, when I’m happy I sing, when I’m frustrated I dance to it,” says Sevana. “My relationship with music is the only one that has remained reciprocal and at the risk of sounding dramatic, it is my saving grace,” she continues. Iconic singers like Celine Dion, Beyoncé, and Anita Baker have inspired the Jamaican-born chanteuse, and now Sevana looks to follow in their footsteps. Sevana effortlessly flows between her powerful vocals and bold Jamaican patois, blending traditional R&B/soul that influences her sound and the Caribbean’s tropical percussive rhythms that raised her.
