Solo, but never silent.
After years of crafting intricate instrumental rock as Sun Raven, Stephen Murray is stepping into a new light with Evahfar.
Trading wordless soundscapes for soulful vocals, the Melbourne-born, Bendigo-based multi-instrumentalist has self-produced a debut EP that hums with homespun energy.
Recorded entirely alone, from electronic drums to Jazzmaster guitars through British-style amps, Murray’s new work is a testament to creative freedom, balancing alt-rock grit with folk intimacy.
The EP’s hazy, live-wire mix rejects over-polish, letting every chord ring with clarity and every vocal breathe at centre stage.
Now, as he writes toward a full-length LP and dreams of a live band, Evahfar signals not just a new project, but a renewed artist unafraid to sing his own story.
Keep on reading to hear what he has to say about creative freedom, recording set ups, and everything in-between!
HAPPY: What are you up to today?
EVAHFAR: Day off, just relaxing noodling on the guitar.
HAPPY: Tell us about where you live, what do you love about it?
EVAHFAR: I grew up and spend a lot of time in Melbourne but I am currently living in Bendigo, a few hours drive from Melbourne.
I like it cause it has a country and city vibe.
HAPPY: Evahfar feels like a pretty significant evolution from Sun Raven.
What made you want to start a completely new project rather than continue under that name?
EVAHFAR: Sun Raven is all instrumental music, I wasn’t sure how people would react to my vocals so I decided to start a new project that is more alternative-indie and even folk in nature.
I have sung on and off over the years but I have been doing a lot of work this year on my voice and will continue to do so for the future.
HAPPY: You created the entire EP yourself.
What does working completely solo allow you to do that you might lose in a more traditional band setup?
EVAHFAR: Creative freedom.
I enjoy collaborating but I have trouble finding really like-minded musicians that share my artistic vision.
HAPPY: From a recording perspective, what did the Evahfar setup look like?
Was this largely a home-recorded project, and what gear became essential to the EP?
EVAHFAR: Totally home-recorded, simple set-up.
Some guitar tones were recorded with real amps, others through my Pod Go into my DAW.
I used a sm57 and sm58 for the vocals.
I performed all the drums myself on an electronic kit going into a drum software program that makes it sound like an acoustic kit.
I have tried miking up a real kit but it was easier for me to get usable sounds with the electronic kit.
HAPPY: The guitars move from really spacious and intimate to huge walls of sound.
How were you approaching guitar tones, pedals and amp choices across the record?
EVAHFAR: I used a couple of Jazzmasters for the main guitar sounds and a Strat for some subtle overdubs as well as an acoustic on ‘Vines’.
For bass I used a Jaguar and Jazz bass.
I wanted to keep guitar effects to a minimum and really let the vocals take up more space in the mix.
Most songs are just one or two guitar tracks.
I used mostly british sounding amps, Orange, Vox, Marshall, I wanted the tone to be slightly overdriven but retain the clarity of the notes in the chords.
HAPPY: There’s a hazy DIY quality to the production, but the individual instruments still have plenty of character.
How did you approach mixing the EP without polishing away that rawness?
EVAHFAR: I didn’t use a click when I recorded it.
I layed down the rhythm guitar first and that set the tempos.
I wanted to get away from using an overly polished sound and bring back the rawness while still making it pleasant to listen to.
The mix is pretty simplistic and I wanted it to have a live quality to it, even though it’s a studio recording.
HAPPY: What’s coming up?
EVAHFAR: I’m already writing new songs that will eventually become the first Evahfar LP.
I think it will be a lengthy process and don’t want to rush it.
I also plan on playing some solo gigs and possibly in the future getting a drummer and bass player so I can perform these songs live in a band setting.
HAPPY: Lastly what makes you happy?
EVAHFAR: Creating music and ice cream with chocolate.
