Indie queer artist on the come-up Michael Fenuccio aka Souvenir’s new EP will be your keepsake to remember Summer 2025 forever! [Cover photo: @samsanroman]
Thotyssey: Thanks for chatting with us, Souvenir! So you’ve started Pride Month off right: dropping brand new original music! Velvet is your EP, featuring four very vibrant, feel good yet emotional tracks!
Souvenir: Thank you so much!
How long have you actually been working on these songs, from writing to recording?
It’s been quite the journey to get to this release day! Even though I’ve coursed out a steady stream of singles the last few years, these particular songs took almost four years start to finish! Some have existed in entirely different styles, some were set aside and then resurrected. I’ve been writing and collaborating with my producer Dominic Florio since 2020, so it’s really special that we were able to bring these songs together and release them as a full body of work right in time for summer!
Can you recall any specific moments of inspiration that helped create any of these new songs?
There’s absolutely parts of me and my life in every song I write: experiences, relationships (romantic or not), and introspection. But I’m definitely a lover of pop music and storytelling first and foremost, so I love exploring sounds and genres and concepts pretty freely! I’m inspired by modern queer pop artists, classic 80s artists I was raised on, clever wordplay and innuendo. I love going into the studio and just letting whatever flows out of us flow!
Where did you grow up… and were music and performance also big parts of your life?
I grew up on Cape Cod, MA. And yes! I’ve been so lucky and privileged to have had music be a part of my entire life, from early voice lessons, choir, musical theater, gigging in bars and restaurants in the summers, and even going to college at U Miami for pop songwriting, music business, and contemporary voice! As corny as it may sound to some, songwriting and performing have always been my passion and my joy and my dream.
Did music bring you to New York?
Definitely! The summer of 2017, I was still in college and came for an internship at a tiny record label. I fell in love with the city, and a year later I moved here with friends from school. It was even friends I made that summer that got me my first job in NYC at Flaming Saddles in HK!
Can you still do those two-step routines on the bar that the boys there do every day? It’s the best show in town!
Oh, seared into my frontal cortex for life! I’m still known to haunt that bar, I love those boys!
How and when did you start going by “Souvenir?”
It’s wild… I’ve had the name for almost ten years now! When I first started exploring my voice and style in college, I immediately gravitated towards this kind of neo-80s synth pop sound, from both the classics I was raised on (George Michael, Phil Collins, Cyndi Lauper) and the sort of revival that was happening with artists like Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION, MUNA, The 1975, Troye Sivan. Souvenir means “to remember” in French, and I think it perfectly captured that nostalgic, classic feeling I’m always chasing. Plus, it wasn’t taken by any major U.S. artists!
Love that! So being an indie recording artist must have its extreme pros and cons: total creative freedom on one hand, but you have to basically do and pay for everything yourself!
Absolutely, high highs and low lows.
What’s it like to be your own boss and an artist simultaneously?
I definitely struggle with the “being the entire label” aspect, especially with the current landscape of social media and content creation. I can burn out really easily, and it’s definitely challenging constantly trying to break through. But something I’m extremely grateful for is the community of artists and creators I’ve surrounded myself with, both on and offline: my producer, my photographers and videographers, my band. They really help inspire and drive me, and help me stay true to my art and my vision instead of just chasing trends and getting lost in the little things.
Does being an openly queer artist affect your opportunities in any way?
I like to believe it’s ultimately and profoundly a positive. There will always be an innate queerness to my storytelling and I love to highlight that rather than hide it. Being queer has helped me connect with other queer artists, as well as the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene of NY. We’re always stronger when we uplift and support each other, and I’d be nowhere without that support and community.
You were nominated for Best Male Artist at the Glam Awards earlier this year!
Yes! Such an incredible night and such an honor to be recognized. Last year I was also able to perform a four month residency of shows at C’mon Everybody in Brooklyn, so it really felt like the first year I really performed enough and connected my live shows with a queer nightlife venue. I’m hoping to continue that more this year! Maybe second time’s the charm.
You’re going to perform and host an official Velvet release party / showcase at Red Eye on Wednesday, June 11.
Yes, I cannot wait! It’s one of my favorite venues, and my first time performing there. I’ve got two other incredible queer pop artists joining me, Yavin and LEXXE! It’s gonna be a high energy show, and the first time I’ll be playing the entire EP live! Perfect Pride month party plans; the show is 7-10pm.
Immediately following the Red Eye show, it’s back in the saddle again for the afterparty–Flaming Saddles, that is!
Yes! Like I said, those cowboys are my NY family; they’ve always been so supportive of my music. And so after the show at Red Eye, we’ll be hosting the official after party there to drink, dance, listen to the EP, and party all night long!
What else is coming up with you?
I’m excited for Pride season and the summer; I already starting writing sessions for what’s next. And hopefully I’ll be booking some more shows! Thank you so much for doing this with me, I’m really excited to share my music with your audience!
The pleasure is ours! Okay lastly… besides your own music, what are you listening to these days?
Oh baby, how do I even pick!? The best question! “George Michael” by Tears & Gearz, “Real Bob Mackie” by LEXXE, “Just Forget About Me. It’s Fine” by Yavin, “Marianne” by Eli, “Mary + I” by MARIS, “Pretty Boy” by Sub Radio, and “GERM” by Kate Nash. And obviously everything Mayhem and Addison Rae and Miley and Lorde and Erika de Casier… because I don’t know if you knew this, but I’m gay!
You heard it here first! Happy Pride, Souvenir!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Souvenir’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram. Download / stream his music here.
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