We spoke with EJ Carey about “Eviscerate” and more!

Q: “Eviscerate” feels like a bold statement. When did the idea for this song first start taking shape, and what was going through your head at that time?

A: It is indeed bold, but sometimes people need to be given the business, and it’s the only word I could think of to capture the rage that pairs with this kind of frustration. I heard the word in passing and thought it would make a memorable song title, and I guess I was right! Typically, I write the song and decide the title later, but I had the title first and attached it to a song that was already in progress. A word with this much gravity had to be reserved for something forceful, so it was only appropriate to attach it to a song with so much angst and fury.

Q: There’s this mix of pop-punk energy and clean electronic production in the track. How did you find that balance?

A: Honestly, I had been listening to Avril Lavigne’s album “Love Sux,” and that album does a fantastic job of towing the line of delivering true pop punk with that clean, shiny electronic production. Olivia O’Brien and poutyface also have a few songs that combine electronic and pop-punk production, and it was the perfect vehicle to capture both the victory of overcoming those that won’t grow alongside you and encapsulating the energy behind finally releasing that frustration.

Q: You’ve said you’re not afraid to get loud with your feelings. Was there a moment or experience that pushed you to write “Eviscerate”?

A: There were many, many moments that led to writing “Eviscerate.” While I chose to portray these via a stagnant relationship, the experiences that fueled this song were pulled not just from past romantic relationships, but also family members and friends who just could not get with the program, so to speak. It’s incredibly disheartening to continue your own personal progress and watch your loved ones either not keep up with your pace or continue to make bad decisions that ultimately leave them in a state of arrested development. Frankly, I was just sick of being the only person seeing things clearly in so many scenarios, and I needed an outlet. Ta-da!

Q: The verses hit almost like rap bars before the big chorus. Did that flow come naturally, or did you have to work at it during writing?

A: I am honored that you noticed that! I listen to a fair amount of hip hop, and I wrote this during what I jokingly call my “freestyle phase.” I’d find free beats online and rap over them, partly as an exercise in improving my rhythm and lyric writing, but also as a mechanism to express my emotions in a different way. Hip hop holds so much power, and this was a song that needed voltage.

Q: Your producer Bryan Fennelly had to pull out new gear for this one. What was that collaboration like from your point of view?

A: I give Bryan so much credit for not fully crashing out on me during this process. We were making “Eviscerate” and my last single “Crime of Passion” at the same time, and they both required a sound that was less traditional for pop punk and paired more with rising pop music, which we hadn’t really done yet together. We went through so many iterations of these songs, and I fought hard to keep a ton of reverb on my vocals, but it just didn’t match with the music. I’m usually less concerned about keeping up with what’s new in music trends, but this time around was a bit different. It was an adjustment for me as well, and he did such an amazing job, as he always does. I’m honored that he breathed life into my music once again.

Q: You’ve got this great blend of crunchy guitars and that pop sparkle. Were you aiming for that 2000s vibe, or did it just come out naturally?

A: Always 2000s vibes. I grew up listening to Top 40 radio, and as a millennial, that formula is engrained in my brain. I began writing music when I was 9, which was peak Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and Christina Aguilera airtime. As pop punk continued to rise in popularity, I leaned into the radio-ready pop punk bands (think Fall Out Boy, Boys Like Girls, We The Kings) and fell in love with that writing style. Taylor Swift came onto the scene towards the end of the decade, and she really sealed the deal for me as a confessional-style songwriter. At this point, there’s no turning back from the 2000s for me.

Q: The bridge feels like a full release, with the drums kicking up and gang vocals coming in. How did that section come together in the studio?

A: Honestly, it was very organic. We all (myself, Bryan, session drummer Kyle Harris, and guitarist/bassist Daniel Yoong) sort of fell into the groove of it without any real question or design. It definitely has that symbolic effect of letting go. The verses and choruses live in the world of half-time, but the bridge is like waking up from a nightmare and running away.

Q: “Eviscerate” sounds like you’re saying “enough is enough”. Do you see it as closure for something personal, or more of a message everyone can relate to?

A: Both. The trials and tribulations of my life, as I’m sure most people can relate to, are full of situations that were beyond my control that I either chose to stay complacent in or take action and remove myself. Everyone has been trapped in a place they didn’t choose, and many people found a way out. For me, this song is a way to remind myself that I have the autonomy to make my own choices and move freely as I please without others dragging me down. I hope other people hear it and can identify or be inspired to release what no longer serves them well. 

Q: You’ve been called a child of Warped Tour and a New England pop-rock powerhouse. How does being based in Boston influence your sound or your creative process?

A: Meeting so many amazing female musicians here has really helped me to step up my game, and they’re all people I would not have been exposed to if I never moved here. This actually fits in really nicely with the theme of Eviscerate in that they’ve helped me grow into the musician I am now!

Q: Now that “Eviscerate” is out in the world, what’s next for you for the rest of the year? More music, live shows, or something unexpected?

A: I’m hoping to get back into the studio soon. In the meantime, I’m working on some projects with other musicians that I’m really excited about. There might be a remix in the future, but you’ll have to stay tuned to find out!