New Jersey’s Almost Alive returns with their single ‘Pieces Click’ which is out now. The track represents this musical project at its most focused and forward-moving; a relentless surge of glitch-textured synths, driving guitars, and rhythmic momentum that locks in and refuses to let go. We talked to Evan, the creator behind Almost Alive, about influences, inspirations, hopes, and dreams!
Hi! Could you introduce yourself, your genre, and your musical influences?
“I’m Evan Kanter – the creator behind Almost Alive, a modern rock project that blends heavy guitars, driving rhythms, and atmospheric electronic elements. The sound moves between cinematic, hypnotic rock, alternative & grunge rock and more direct, high-energy modern rock, depending on the track and the album. Influence-wise, rock artists like Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Shinedown have all shaped how I think about structure, emotion, and atmosphere – but the goal is always to build something that feels like its own identity.”
What inspired you to start making music and what inspires you to keep going?
“What initially inspired me was the realization that music had become more accessible to create in a meaningful way through new AI technology such as Suno and ChatGPT. It opened the door to take ideas that were always there and actually turn them into something real. What keeps me going is the process itself – there’s always another level to reach creatively. Each release is a chance to refine the sound, explore a new idea, or push something further than before. I also like building an entire world out of it and trying to make each of the songs connect together. Things you can do with technology now, that would have been harder in the past.”
Where do you, in general, get inspiration for your music and song-writing?
“A lot of the inspiration comes from internal themes – things like perception, identity, energy, tension, and clarity. I’m interested in capturing moments where something shifts, whether that’s emotional or mental. I want the songs to have meaning to people who listen to it, not just myself so I try to keep my themes fairly universal although occasionally I may go off that script from time to time. Musically, inspiration often starts with a feeling or a concept, and then the structure builds around that. It’s less about telling a story directly and more about creating an atmosphere that people can step into.”
Who would you like to work with in the near future and where would you like to perform in the next three years?
“As for performing, Almost Alive is more of a studio-driven project, so I’m not focused on live shows in a traditional sense. The focus is more on building immersive music and visuals that stand on their own.”
Which musical achievements are you most proud of?
“I’m most proud of building a growing catalog that feels cohesive but still evolving. Seeing songs connect with listeners – whether that’s through streams, playlists, or just engagement – has been a big milestone. But more than anything, it’s the consistency. Continuing to release and improve over time is something I take a lot of pride in.”
What do you hope to achieve by releasing music with followers old and new?
“I want to create something that people can come back to – rock music that holds up over time and feels worth revisiting. For new listeners, it’s about creating an immediate connection. For existing listeners, it’s about continuing to build on what they already connect with.”
What are your plans for the new year and what are some of your goals and dreams?
“The main focus is continuing to release music consistently while refining the overall identity of the project. There are multiple albums in progress, each exploring a slightly different direction within the Almost Alive sound. The bigger goal is to keep building something that feels complete – a catalog and creative identity that stands on its own.”
Aside from music, what are some of your hobbies and interests, we’d love to know more about you as a person!
“A lot of my interests overlap with creativity and technology. I spend time exploring how new tools can enhance creative work, especially in music and development. Outside of that, I enjoy anything that has a sense of progression or discovery – whether that’s gaming, building ideas, or just exploring new concepts. I’m always drawn to things that evolve over time.”
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