Exclusive Interview: Kevian Kraemer Discusses His New Single “Teenagers,” Discovering His Voice, and More

Kevian Kramer, an artist hailing from Asbury Park, New Jersey, rose to prominence for his extraordinary guitar skills and catchy tunes. He began his musical journey as a child prodigy under the mentorship of John Liedersdorf at Lakehouse Music, a place known for shaping talents like Bon Jovi, Lorde, and Brian Fallon. While his hit track “Fly” gained massive traction on TikTok, amassing six million views and over one million likes, it was only the beginning of his rise in the indie music scene, which also doubled his Spotify followers.

His signature musicality is a fusion of youthful pop-rock adorned with indie guitar riffs and toe-tapping melodies, complemented by playful lyrics and infectious melodies that have captured the hearts of fans around the world.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Kevian about his latest single, “Teenagers,” how he discovered his voice and artistry, and more.

PC: You’re from New Jersey, home to many of the greatest artists in history. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in this industry? How did you discover your passion for music and songwriting?
Kevian: I always wanted to pursue a career in music, but I never knew how. I was considering going to school for marine biology or law, and I also wanted to play college soccer. I discovered my passion for songwriting, production, and performing after I was lucky enough to gain an amazing following on social media for my song covers and originals. Over time, this passion grew, so my sophomore year of high school was when I realized that I could make it in the music industry if I dedicated myself to my artistry.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest impact on your journey as an artist?
Kevian: I feel like one of the biggest impacts on my journey and the content that I make is the current place that I’m at in my life. I’m a seventeen-year-old kid about to graduate high school, and everything around me is always changing. Friends are leaving for other states, couples are breaking up, some people I know are either thriving or really struggling mentally, and I feel as if my art follows that perspective in every way.

PC: You’ve always leveraged your songwriting to tap into the emotions that you’re feeling at any given moment. What inspired “Teenagers,” and how did your craft help you process what you were experiencing?
Kevian: I wrote “Teenagers” around February of last year, and it honestly felt so refreshing to make since I was really feeling the weight of being a teenager at the time. Things are always changing around me, like friends going away and kids I know deciding what they want to do with the rest of their lives. “Teenagers” is a response to that kind of pressure, and I think it definitely helped me calm down when thinking about those things.

PC: There’s such a universal quality to your songwriting. What is the process like when you’re working on a new song? Has it changed throughout the years?
Kevian: My process in writing new music and working on new projects is pretty unconventional, to be honest. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with an entire idea in my head, and other times I work with other writers for hours to get a good result. The songwriting process has totally changed for me over time in the sense that I used to only write alone, but now I love to collaborate with other artists and producers along with writing on my own!

PC: You’ve steadily been releasing music throughout the years. If you had to pick one of your songs that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Kevian: I feel like my song “Fly” best captures everything I want to be as an artist. The mix of pop and orchestral music in that song really expresses my desire to put every single part of me and my musical background into my music. The lyrics to “Fly” also paint a story that’s inspired by a few experiences that I’ve had and people I’ve known. “Fly” to me feels like me, I don’t know if that’s weird, but I think that makes sense.

PC: You recently got to open for Jake Miller in your home state. What was that experience like? How much do you use the live stage to test out new material?
Kevian: Opening for Jake Miller was such an amazing opportunity. His fans were so dedicated and created such a positive and exciting environment. I went on stage and instantly felt the support and love from everybody in the crowd. I use the live stage not only to test new material but to really feel and interact with the humanistic aspects of my music and brand. Not only do I share a ton of unreleased music with everyone in the room, but I also love to talk to everybody and try to make everyone feel welcome and a part of the show.

PC: As we look ahead to 2024, what can fans expect from you?
Kevian: 2024 is going to be a massive year for me. Over the past year, I’ve taken the time to grow my brand and analyze who I want to be and the art that I want to create. Next year is going to be when I show everybody the music that I’ve been working on, and hopefully, I can play a bunch of shows so I can see all of you guys!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kevian: I actually listen to a ton of Drake whenever I’m in the car or at the gym!

PC: First album you bought or streamed?
Kevian: The first album that I ever bought was probably the Hamilton soundtrack.

PC: First concert you attended?
Kevian: My first ever concert was a private Chance the Rapper show in New York City. My friend’s dad worked at Good Morning America (which was running the show) and was able to bring us there with him! It was actually so sick because Chance was my favorite artist at the time.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Kevian: An album that changed my life is Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange. I grew up listening to that album because my older sister and brother would always play it in the car. “Crack Rock” is by far my favorite song off of the album, and “Bad Religion” is also so fire. Frank Ocean’s lyrics, instrumentals, and stories will always be major factors in all the art that I continue to create.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Kevian: A dream venue for me would be Madison Square Garden. I know it’s a huge goal but that’s honestly how far I’m reaching with my music and my artistry.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Kevian: On the road, I for sure need a pair of headphones so I can listen to music or write down any ideas that I have recorded on my phone or laptop.

To keep up with Kevian, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Stream “Teenagers” wherever you listen to music.