Exclusive Interview with the alternative enigma 'Corvyx'

Alternative enigma Corvyx concocts an elixir of cinematic dark-pop, pairing his ethereal productions with haunting vocals that drip with raw emotion and power. He dons a self-proclaimed “space witch” aesthetic and, with his 4 1/2 octave range, has captivated an audience of 200k+ social followers that he calls his Corvyx Coven. His name finds origin in the magical Corvus (”Raven” in Latin), for he too has become a messenger for the misunderstood. With nearly 100K subscribers and 11 million+ YouTube views and growing, Corvyx has proven himself an undeniable visionary and a new musical force. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: Sure. I hail from Staten Island, NY (yes, the rumors are true. It’s exactly as horrible you imagined. But fortunately, I’m the exception). I got started quite literally when I emerged from the womb. I was a colic baby which meant my lung development was intense from a ripe young age. I then became obsessed with singing the Barney theme song over and over and over again. Luckily for my household’s sanity, I then graduated to Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’ and I’ve been screaming ever since.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: I only ever received formal training once I entered college but up until then I just sang everything and anything until I thought I sounded good.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x’?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: My first and strongest musical influence is P!nk. As a young, closeted queer teenager with an Aries moon, I related to fiery, chaotic, and strong feminine figures and personalities. P!nk was and remains such a trailblazer in the industry. I saw a lot of myself in her being that she was a part of, yet different from. A part of the pop music industry yet different from the Britneys, Christinas, and Jessica Simpsons of that era. She had the edge, bite, grit, perspective, and a f**king VOCAL PROWESS.

The name Corvyx is a derivative of the Latin word ‘Corvus’ which means Raven. Once again, a part of yet, different from. Ravens and blackbirds have always been misinterpreted as harbingers of death and darkness. However, there are many layers to the Corvidae bird species and many things people seem to not know. For instance, they are among the most intelligent bird species in the world and have also been revered as messengers and birds of magical significance. I like to also think of myself as a misunderstood messenger of magic. Music is my magic.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: I think the frequencies in my music are important. And not just sonic frequencies but emotional, psychological, and spiritual frequencies as well. When an audience listens to my music, I don’t think language or anything else should ever be a barrier because my timbre, my delivery, and my emotional conviction should transcend those boundaries. I want invoke some emotional response in people and motivate them to do something. Scream, cry, smile, sing. By industry standards, I would describe my sound as cinematic, dark alt-pop with an ethereal synth-driven edge. Which sounds so pretentious, however, it’s truly an amalgamation of who I am as a person. It’s spiritual ecstasy. It’s dream-like. It’s the fury. It’s pain. It’s sex. It’s fun.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: It’s interesting because I’m mostly known for covering other artists’ music while still maintaining and creating my own identity. I’ve essentially found my own sonic and visual direction covering the artists that I’ve loved and admired. It’s truly ironic (…don’t ya think?) I’ve taken the elements from my own covers through the years to create this musical cocktail and synergy of production and stylistic approach that I have so much fun with. I suppose it’s pop but it is also so erratic and influenced by the many facets of my mind and influence.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: I think music is any and none of those things. The one thing that always remains for me is the spiritual aspect of music. The transcendent qualities of music should remain inexplicable even to the best word weavers. It should just make you feel something. Anything. If it doesn’t, it’s not for you or you’re a sociopath and should seek immediate professional medical attention. I will say I definitely have an affinity for going against the grain. I’m an Aquarius so the anti-culture is strong with me and if I get a chance to challenge your beliefs via my artistic expression, then I absolutely will and have.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: My relationship with music remains a spiritual one. I do it because I need to. It is my sole and soul purpose for being here.

The fact that anyone at all has become a listener or fan of my voice and art is an added bonus. Of course, I want it all. I want the fame, the biggest stages, and carpets, and the financial liberty to do whatever I want, but in the end, it’s always because I want to do more with my art. The end goal is always to create and inspire more. Inspire others but also inspire myself. But yes, the amount of work is intense, and feels like the same amount of response is never reciprocated back. …Until it is. And I hold onto that.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: I usually see the visual first. Textures/colors then inspire soundscape. Or I can hear the soundscape first and then mapout the entire visual rather quickly. Sometimes fashion will inspire a soundscape or visual as well. Before I even touch vocals the entire project is envisioned and inspired and then it’s a matter of marrying it all together and hoping it doesn’t suck.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: I think dealing with the instability of a career in music is the most difficult. It’s making a conscious choice every day to follow a path that has no guarantees. No 401Ks. A lot of sacrifices. Watching everyone your age get married, buy their first house, land their dream job, and have their first kid while you’re drowning in the ocean of social media to get a breath of success. It’s throwing yourself into the abyss every day and hoping one of these days you’ll throw yourself off with enough velocity that you’ll just fly.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

ᴄ ᴏ ʀ ᴠ ʏ x: To be superficial and braggy, I’d have to say singing in front of Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent stage last year and getting a “yes” from him and the rest of the judges was pretty rad and validating. Of course, this was after he told me he didn’t like my look or my name and essentially wrote me off. But then I sang and I sang f**king hard. I sang “Open Arms” by Journey which I very recently found out is one of his “blacklist” songs. He apparently says you shouldn’t sing it unless you can SING it. After my audition, Simon, Heidi, Howie, and Sofia told me I had an incredible voice so that’s pretty sick.

But aside from the Hollywood moment, I’ve had many proud moments on my YouTube channel and I’m actually experiencing one right now with my most recent cover of Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You”. The response has been unprecedented and certainly one of the most successful performance videos I’ve had thus far. It has essentially gone viral and is almost at a million views on TikTok. Approaching 100K subscribers on YouTube very quickly so I’m also proud of that!