Evil
Interview Conducted on July 10, 2020
By Dan Locke
Evil (fka Babeo Baggins) just released a new single/video below from an upcoming project tackling the effects of God + religion on their life as a queer non-binary Black person born in a rural community. They also just launched The Queer Black Musicians Fund via Orville Peck‘s Instagram.
What is your upbringing in Virginia?
Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley. Amongst the trees and rivers. Very lucky to be from where Iām from.
How did you discover music?
Not really sure I can say I ādiscoveredā it. There has never been a time in my life without it. I canāt remember a time where I wasnāt surrounded by song. Music has always been an apart of my life.
How did you get your name?
Iāve gone through a lot in my life. In 2016 I became extremely connected to the word evil, the fact that itās live backwards. There has been a lot of evil in my life that has resulted in me living in my truth, and living when I didnāt think I could. I think the world Evil is very powerful, it evokes a feeling. Thatās why I chose it.
How did you start to write music?
My earliest memory of music writing had to be 8 years old. I wanted to be in a pop group so badly and had my friends sing and dance to the songs I wrote.
What was your first performance like?
Insane, I didnāt know what to expect. It was at the knitting factory in Brooklyn New York. I almost missed it because I and my best friend had gotten the address wrong and ended up having to chase down a taxi to get there in time. But it was worth it, I wouldnāt have traded that experience for anything.
You do a wide range of musical styles, which includes country, contemporary pop, hip-hop and many others. What is the music of your choice?
For the sure country. Although my music isnāt what you think of when you imagine country music, the truth of it is there. That is what I love more than anything about country music. The honesty that itās made with. My goal with creating is to always be more honest than I was last time, and for me I can only do that with the idea of country music in my heart. Itās where I come from, itās who I am.
How did you start Barf Troop?
I met some really cool people online and decided we should be in a group together. It changed my life.
How did the band get its name?
I thought it was funny and silly.
What is your creative process like?
Depends! Most of the time, Iāll think of words in passing. On a long train ride, in a uber home from the bar. The words will stick with me and the song will grow from there. I never force song writing. I only do things naturally. I donāt believe in forcing art.
You enjoy Japanese cartoons. In addition, you were able to do your debut self-titled Evil EP (feature in Cartoon Networkās Adventure Time). How did you feel once it was released?
I cried when it aired. Adventure time was something that meant the world to me when I had nowhere to go. Evil self-titled is a project I worked on for a very long time. It was very hard to finish it. Once I was finally able to get it out in the world I felt a great sigh of joy and relief. Iām very proud of the work Iāve done, Iām proud that itās my first country album. I think it represents me really well.
Tell me about your new project The Queer Black Musicians Fund?
The Queer Black Musicians Fund was and created as an effort to support Queer Black musicians in our trying times. I personally know how difficult it can be to get support for your music being a queer black person so I wanted to do something to support that need in my artistic community.
What is the story behind your video āA Child Shamedā?
A child shamed was shot by me on a farm in VA. I had an idea to reflect the image of self in nature as a way of confronting your own demons in a natural setting, somewhere where yourself is laid bare with no distractions. Just me in an open field. Having a conversation with myself about the reality of my life.
Your next project is going to deal with social topics we all deal with today. You are going to trickle in the effects of God and religion in the life of a queer non-binary Black person born in a rural community. Do you feel this is the time to release it?
Yes. Personally, I think any time would be the time. This is a story that has not been told to its full capacity. Itās the reality of many people but no one speaks about it. I think because itās a very loaded topic, or some remove themselves from it out of pain. But itās something that I feel is important.
Do you picture yourself as a rebel with a cowboy hat?
Somewhat. My cowboy hat is inside, itās not an outfit I wear. Itās just the person I am. I am always the rebel cowboy.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I think it depends. I think digital is nice, it allows a lot of access for people that wasnāt there before. But there is nothing like holding a physical album by an artist you love.
What song from the past is in your mind right now?
Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Flying kites, riding bikes, hula hooping. Exploring what it means to be human.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Really into creating terrariums! I think itās very sobering to create a living world inside of a jar.
How do you feel how music has changed since you started?
Things are really different. I think they are changing constantly, even as of two days ago. I think more than anything everyone is so used to getting everything so fast that they arenāt willing to wait for things anymore and personally I think time is what makes good art what it is.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
In a cabin in the mountains surrounded by forest animals and fairy circles.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Support black people every day, just not when itās trendy.
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