Evil Sweet

Scotty O’Brien-Curcie and Zach Castro are the singer-rapper songwriters that are Evil Sweet. They bill themselves as an indie pop-rock band, but they like to switch styles with each new EP release. Listen to their EPs, and each will surprise you.

Their most recent release 4 the Singles, as with their other recordings, is available on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Music, and bandcamp. O’Brien-Curcie is the lead singer and Castro is the guitarist and rapper. The breadth of their musical styles is mirrored in their influences: Great Britain’s Arctic Monkeys, and Oasis, Alaska’s (via Oregon) Portugal. The Man, hip-hop artist Mac Miller, and Australia’s Tame Impala. That is quite a palette from which to draw. Those influences are surely there, but I hear momentary incursions of blues and classical strings as well. When I asked the duo where the neo-psychedelic sound of Tame Impala was in the mix, they clarified that Kevin Parker’s ambition and shifting sound were an inspiration for their own experimentation.

About their song-writing process, O'Brien-Curcie and Castro say they work collaboratively on all their songs. Having begun writing together in 10th grade, their composing process has evolved into “a conversation:” a completely organic experience. They also effusively praise the contributions of their supporting musicians, their "team" as they put it, that have fleshed out the band’s sound on all their recordings.

They have a new single ready for release, and they are thrilled to be working with their first professional producer, Nick Sorrentino, at Westfall Studio where they are completing a new EP. We are excited that they will premier those songs on Long Island Stage.
Once Covid restrictions are lifted, look for Evil Sweet on the Island at the Velvet Lounge, Portside, and Cigar. “Performing live is an addiction,” they said. Long Island Stage thinks that’s an addiction we can all live with! - Long Island Stage

Evil Sweet

​The Weather Up There
self-released; 2019

3.7 out of 5

By Isaac Roblett

Evil Sweet is a pop/rock band with heavy hip hop and funk influences hailing from Long Island, NY consisting of Zachary Castro (guitar/rapper) and Scotty OBC (vocals). Their debut album The Weather Up There is a story that encapsulates the turbulent emotions of love and pain in an accessible and easy to listen to manner.

The four-track EP kicks off with “Thinkin’ About You,” an emotive story portraying the struggles of the nature of relationships. On this track the slick flow and lyrical bars of Castro really give this song a unique edge. Throughout the album, his vital contributions elevate Evil Sweet from average, to stand out artists.

“I Remember” really showcases Scotty OBC’s talented and soulful vocal range, and also highlights the unique chemistry musically between OBC and Castro, as they play off and empower each other’s talents so expertly. This acts as a great support for the emotively charged tone of the track, as together they really convey these poignant feelings.

“Much Too Long” has a real funk and blues feel to it, and fits perfectly within the four-track playlist, and showcases their strong instrumentation skills as the track effortlessly switches from a slowed down acoustic number to a fast paced rock one.

The record closes with “Baby It’s You” a much folkier and stripped back song, which is a nice contrast to the preceding ones, and the catchy melody and lyrics make it a certified sing-a-long track. It is a fitting farewell to the album.

​Evil Sweet sounds like a strange marriage between Chance the Rapper and Portugal. The Man, with a sprinkle of Art of Verse and Nathaniel Rateliff for good measure, but they somehow make it work, resulting in an ambitious and distinctive sound. The Weather Up There isn’t lyrically complex, but if you are in the mood for a fun listen with intentions of dancing and singing your troubles away, look no further than Evil Sweet. - Divide and Conquer