Fieves formed amidst the pandemic in 2021, the dynamic collaboration between rapper Finnerz and producer DJ Yves Jones has captivated audiences with both performance and thought-provoking lyrics. Today, Fieves are here to discuss their latest EP, ‘Between Hello & Goodbye,’ and to explore their plans and aspirations.
Can you share a bit about how Fieves came to be? What inspired you to form the duo, and how has your journey from the beginning influenced the music you create today?
We started at the end of 2021 after collaborating on a track off my EP (Yves), and we just clicked! I struggled working with other artists at the time, and it felt easy with Finn. We were both comfortable making a whole range of music together, which neither of us had experienced. A couple of months later, we had the idea to form the duo, and to this day, we still make a wide range of genres and styles.
Your EP, ‘Between Hello & Goodbye,’ has been hailed as a significant milestone in your career. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the project and how it reflects your personal journeys as artists?
The EP is an insight into our experiences over the past year or so, showcasing our growth and battles with things like loss and addiction. We wanted to shine a light on these struggles, as everyone experiences them at some point, and we hope that people listen to these songs and realize that they’re not alone. We have grown so much over the past year, and the tracks resemble that journey, with each song being a piece of the puzzle.
Your music delves into heavy themes like addiction, loss, and identity. How do you approach integrating these topics into your music?
As we both make music in different ways, with Finn using lyrics and myself using instruments, we very rarely set out to make a track to a specific theme. It will usually just happen during the evolution of the song, and that’s what I think is so special about Fieves. Without realizing it, we collectively create the same emotion just through different mediums, whether it’s lyricism or production.
Fieves’ sound is described as a blend of conscious rap with genres like Dance and UK Hip-Hop. How do you navigate genre boundaries in your music, and what are the main influences behind your sound?
We try not to limit ourselves to one genre but focus more on the overall feel of a song. This way, we can create a range of styles that still sound like Fieves without conforming to a single genre. Our current influences are acts like Frankie Stew, Harvey Gunn, and Killowen. I grew up around electronic dance music, especially Disclosure, whereas Finn grew up around UK Hip-Hop, the main driving factor for this blend of genres.
Collaboration appears to be a key aspect of your journey, from working with rising talents to collaborating with brands like Red Bull. How do these partnerships improve your creative process, and what do you look for in potential collaborators?
Collaborating is integral to Fieves, whether it be brands, labels, or other artists. We love working with as many people as possible. I think it’s important to grow with other people and communities rather than see them as competition. Depending on what they do (whether they are an artist or label), we just look for like-minded people who share the same love for music as we do.
Fieves emerged in 2021 amidst the global pandemic. How did those circumstances influence your music?
For obvious reasons, it made things difficult at the start in terms of meeting up and studio time. The only positive is that there was no need for us to rush, which allowed us to take careful steps without as much pressure.
Your EP explores modern Britain and the personal stories of young men navigating it. How do you hope your music resonates with listeners, and what role do you see it playing in societal conversations?
We just hope that people resonate with the stories that we tell, whether it be addiction, love, loss, forgiveness, nostalgia, or growth. These are all things that can be challenging and should be talked about more. Too many people disregard issues until it happens to them, and the more we can talk about it and help people realize that they are not alone in this, the better.
You hosted Barz in Carz and helped promote emerging artists. How important is it for you to support other artists, and how does this align with your vision for Fieves?
It’s a fundamental part of Fieves because if it weren’t for other artists supporting us in the beginning, Fieves would have never started! The least we can do is give others the opportunity that we were given, and we plan on doing it forever. We love working with different or new artists, and it’s usually how our best music is made!
With recognition from BBC Radio 1, KISS Fresh, ASBO Magazine, and performances at prestigious venues, Fieves has gained popularity. How do you maintain perspective amidst success, and what are your plans and aspirations for the future?
If we are both being honest, it’s not something we have really thought about yet. We both feel this is just the beginning, and there is so much more to come! This year will be our most important yet, with aims to keep up the releases and perfect our live performances.
On April 19th, we are actually supporting Coops down in Norwich, and from then on, the focus is getting this next body of work out to the world!
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