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Evan Chapman: Crafting Soundscapes, Frame by Frame. | Interview
- Trace Davidson
- Apr 19
- 4 min read
An Interview with the Composer, Drummer, and Visual Storyteller Behind Reveries, Square Peg Round Hole, and Four/Ten Media.
/// The Artist at the Intersection
Evan Chapman wears many hats (and cool glasses): composer, filmmaker, drummer, co-founder of Four/Ten Media, and member of the forward-thinking percussion trio Square Peg Round Hole.
But above all else, he’s a restless creator — someone who’s never stopped making.
During our conversation, what stood out immediately was his duality. He lives in the worlds of both sight and sound. “I find myself excited to kind of go back and forth between filming and music,” he explained, “It keeps things fresh.” When he's been on set for weeks, he starts to miss the drums. When he's buried in music, he longs for a camera in hand.
/// Creative Seasons
Evan described his artistic life as something that moves in waves — sometimes a season of touring, sometimes a season of scoring or shooting videos. His creative rhythm has evolved with time, particularly after starting a family. “I used to want to be on the road constantly,” he said. “Now, I really value time at home.”
Even so, his artistic hunger hasn’t dimmed. If anything, it's gotten more refined. With one foot in contemporary classical music and the other in rock and experimental video, Evan is a rare breed of artist who honors his inspirations without getting stuck in them.
/// The Voice Within
One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was about authenticity — what it means to tap into a voice that feels truly your own.
Evan’s journey into music wasn’t born from orchestral halls or theory-heavy traditions. “I started out as a rock drummer in garage bands,” he said. Classical training came later, chosen not out of love for Brahms or Beethoven, but because it offered range.
At music school, he often felt like an outsider. “I always felt a little imposter syndrome sitting next to people who’d been playing four-mallet marimba since they were kids,” he said. But those feelings never stopped him.
He and his bandmates in Square Peg embraced that in-betweenness — combining classical textures with the urgency of rock and the innovation of electronic music. “I just like what I like,” Evan said simply. “And I try not to be shy about my influences.”
/// From DIY Cameras to Four/Ten Media
The origin story of Four/Ten Media is as scrappy and charming as you'd hope. Evan and his childhood friend Kevin Eikenberg started making videos during the DSLR revolution — when cinematic visuals suddenly became accessible. Add access to rehearsal spaces, a circle of musician friends, and a knack for composition, and you’ve got the foundation for one of the most exciting visual production teams in the classical and experimental music scenes today.
Rather than treat filmed performances as static recitals, Evan and Kevin reimagine them as full cinematic experiences. “Why shy away from our tastes just because other people aren't doing it?” he asked. “If the music is monumental, the visuals should feel monumental too.”
/// Reveries and Risk
In October 2024, Evan released "Reveries", a solo album under his own name. For someone who’s often thrived in collaborative or behind-the-camera roles, this was a vulnerable step forward.
“I’ve never really seen myself as a composer,” he admitted. “It kind of felt like faking it until I made it.”
The result? A tender, cinematic, deeply personal album that blurs the lines between ambient, classical, and post-rock. Produced in his attic, the album features contributions from close collaborators and a final polish from trusted mix and mastering engineers. It’s Evan distilled — his quiet confidence brought to the front.
And the music videos? True to form, they’re visually spellbinding. Created with Kevin and the Four/Ten team, with my favorite being the "Fractions" music video.
/// Defining “Most Me”
When asked about moments that felt the most like himself, Evan didn’t hesitate: live performance. “It just feels like what I’m supposed to be doing,” he said. While family life has made touring less frequent, those moments on stage — whether with Square Peg or playing release shows for Reveries — are still sacred. “They’re just extra special now,” he said.
/// Soundtrack to a Life
From Bon Iver to Giant Claw, Son Lux to Pianos Become the Teeth, Evan draws inspiration from everywhere. Whether it’s expressionistic sound collages or nostalgic post-hardcore, his ears are always open. His daughter's current obsession? The Frozen soundtrack. “She’s got a toddler-sized drum set,” he laughed, “and somehow hits it louder than I do.”
It’s clear that Evan Chapman is following curiosity. And in doing so, he’s creating a body of work that’s as multifaceted as it is unmistakably personal—driven by rhythm, framed in light, and alive with purpose.
PerfectFM thanks Evan Chapman for his time, stories, and artistry. You can listen to Reveries on all major platforms and find his visual work at Four/Ten Media.
