Indie pop songstress Sveta Bout is sittin’ pretty atop her second EP One Big Scandal, a sultry sophomore album that showcases her brilliant voice and delves through her favorite music era’s from the roaring ‘20‘s to the folkloric ‘60‘s. Her first EP, the self titled Sveta Bout, is now a full year behind her, and her fans are anxiously awaiting the One Big Scandal record release party TONIGHT, 6/22 at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall, a venue that has been very receptive to the young chanteuse.
Almost a year to the day from her very first TVD First Date, music journalist and friend Lara Hemingway sat down with Sveta Bout at Maujer Dreams in Williamsburg for some coffee, cashews and conversation.
Lara Hemingway: Hey Sveta! Let’s just jump right into this shall we?
Sveta Bout: Supes.
LH: Since you write all your own music from the melodies to the lyrics, is it safe to say that there is an underlying autobiography in both your first EP and your second?
SB: Mmm….perhaps…I guess I don’t realize they are until the very end of the whole writing process.
Sveta Bout | Dame
LH: While I was working on your artist bio, you mentioned to me that you’re inspired by strong women in the industry, particularly Lady Gaga for being creative, ambitious and a savvy business mind. Being a friend of yours, I also know you adore Britney Spears. Where do you see yourself in the music industry as a young woman?
SB: One of the most important things my voice teacher, Danny Madden, taught me years ago was the different types of female artist you can be throughout your career: light, innocent, naive, or the strong girl–the super woman who overcomes all obstacles, and also the sex bomb who is mysterious and intriguing. Instead of choosing one to be…why not be all of them? Like a super human! A true Super Star. On One Big Scandal, I wanted to be all three.
LH: Tell me about your music video! First of all, am I in it?
SB: Of course!
LH: Good! I can’t wait! Okay, so tell me about the video premise and, of course, the single.
SB: It’s for the single “Dame,” and this song is basically an anthem for any female who got hurt in the past. If you can celebrate a womanizer, why not celebrate the man eater?
LH: Love it!
SB: The video is set in a magical time that mirrors different eras, but you can’t completely tell where you are. It starts in the green room of a burlesque show. The antagonist male lead is like the high roller who always gets what he wants when he wants it. He only wants the best, he has the most money and the prettiest girls..so he gets to go back stage and meet the act. I am playing the star of the show, unamused but aware of his presence in the room. He finds me to be a challenge because I want nothing to do with him.
This is where the cat and mouse game starts. Every moment that he thinks he has me to himself or that I desire him, an obstacle gets in the way or I run away. He gets so enamored by me that he doesn’t realize the back up singers/dancers and I are actually playing a trick on him. How it ends? You’ll have to wait and see.
LH: I like the sinister elements of seduction and persuasion you’re exploring. Do you feel empowered by your new femme fatale image?
SB: I guess you can say that. I feel like the artist singing these songs is an exaggerated version of myself…or someone I’d like to be. Maybe to some I am that way, but I don’t see myself as such a vixen. She’s fun to explore on stage and through song, so I do try to channel her more in everyday life. I try to go with my gut, go with my female intuition while in my own world, my own moment.
LH: What does the world have in store for Sveta Bout next?
SB: Something I ask myself everyday. I can only look forward to more adventures. This business and career choice is one big roller coaster. It has it’s ups and downs, but man, the ride is thrilling, scary, and challenges you to feel endless emotions.“The past is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” That’s written on a magnet I have on my fridge. I love it. I try to live it.
See Sveta Bout live TONIGHT, June 22nd, 10 p.m. at Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street, NY, NY.
