In a virtual press conference attended by Rowdy Magazine, Still Woozy discusses his new song, life in quarantine and what’s to come
(Photo by Sergiy Barchuk / Courtosy of Republic Records)
Still woozy is probably how you would describe your headspace after coming down from an acid trip. But for Sven Gamsky, who goes by the stage name Still Woozy, it’s so much more.
Still Woozy represents Gamsky’s “out of it” and spacey personality, and his music matches. The electronic beats mixed with guitar riffs, drums and bass create a textured sound, which has been described as “psychedelic bedroom pop,” although he prefers to stay genreless.
“I could never really describe my own music because I feel like I have so many influences,” Gamsky said. “ I don't want to ever get stuck in a genre. I don't want to be limited to just one thing. I have too many ideas to get stuck in one place.”
One of his latest ideas has come into fruition. His new single BS is out now for your listening pleasure. Rowdy, along with other college publications, got an exclusive first listen at a virtual press conference on September 8, and take it from us — you’ll want to add it to your playlists ASAP.
So, what’s BS about?
The song opens with a slow acoustic guitar riff but quickly mixes in bass, drums and electronic beats giving it a funky sound you just can’t resist.
It talks about struggling with “a million voices in [your] head,” and is ultimately about being the best version of yourself for the people you love. The more melancholic lyrics are juxtaposed with warm, upbeat rhythms that will make you want to dance around with those you love most.
Ones To Watch describes the song as “a delightful genre-bending cocktail of indie, R&B and funk.”
How should I listen to this new bop?
BS is available now on all streaming platforms.
All of Still Woozy’s songs are created as a headphone experience. How else would you truly be able to enjoy the small beats that are mixed in and sent through a single channel? Pop in some headphones, go for a walk and let everyone wonder which jams you’re blasting as you sway down the sidewalk.
But don’t worry that you aren’t getting the full experience if you listen while cruising down the street in your ‘64 (or whatever vehicle you drive). Still Woozy always checks his mixes in the car because “it always has to sound good.”
Is this new song indicative of what’s to come?
Not necessarily. Whatever piques Gamsky’s interests at the time is what’s reflected in his music, and he has too many ideas to stick to just one thing. Each song, however, exposes one of the many vibes living in Gamsky’s mental musical library.
How soon after a Still Woozy track is finished do we get to hear it?
A staple of the Still Woozy process was the almost immediate release of new songs — like “hours after it’s finished you can listen to it” kind of immediate. Now that he’s signed to Interscope Records this process is a little bit slower, since it has to go through multiple channels to get OK’d. Although the timeline from song completion to you streaming is a little closer to a month now, the joy you get when listening to a new Still Woozy release is the same.
All Still Woozy tracks are still self-produced. He’s constantly revising his music, playing with the sounds and textures, creating something from nothing. Over the past few years, Still Woozy has created a signature sound, and if production were turned over to someone else, we’d be able to tell.
What’s up with all the funky cover art?
The covers for all of Still Woozy’s songs are done by his now-fiance, Amiya Kahn-Tietz (but most people call her Cooks). Just as his music inspires her cover art, she inspires his music.
“She puts art into every little thing she does, it’s just inspiring to see,” Gamsky said. “She got so good at making these fancy things out of nowhere. Or when she dresses, she puts in all this detail. She just makes her whole life into the art, and I feel like that has kind of just inspired me more than anything else.”
What else inspires Still Woozy?
Still Woozy has been listening to a lot of Dominic Fike recently, specifically his most recent album, What Could Possibly Go Wrong. It’s made him realize what an album could be and has pumped him up to release an album of his own. He’s been busy at work on some pop-heavy songs, experimental beats and some slower, acoustic songs.
He’s also been enjoying D’Angelo’s Voodoo album while working out (too much quarantine pizza —I think we all can relate).
Books have also largely inspired older Still Woozy tracks. Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov has served as his blueprint for how to live life. The story tells of three brothers (Gamsky himself is one of three brothers): one who is egotistical, one intelligent and the third who has a go-with-the-flow energy. The book encouraged Gamsky to be more in touch with his emotions and to be aware of the impact he has.
How has quarantine affected his music?
Generally, Still Woozy would be on tour right about now forcing him to work on new ideas between gigs. But, he has a one-track-mind and pours everything into what he’s doing. So, this time alone in the Q (with Cooks and their puppy, Bimo — yes, named after Adventure Time’s BMO) has allowed him to zone into his work.
What’s the most memorable gig Still Woozy has played?
The title of most memorable gig falls to an October 2019 show at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, where he crowd surfed in a giant inflatable rubber ducky. The best shows are ones with minimal, or no, crowd separation, in his opinion. If he had it his way, he’d be in the crowd moshing with his fans instead of up on a pedestal with everyone staring at him.
Another piece of the puzzle has been added to the wonderful world of Still Woozy with the release of BS. Head on over to your favorite streaming platform and take a listen - we promise you won’t regret it.
Rachel Kutcher is a Staff Writer for Rowdy Magazine. She loves the rain, candles, drinking wine, collecting jars and New Girl's Nick Miller. Her passions include destigmatizing sex, empowering women and sustainability.