Chennai Pop Artist Kevin Fernando Gets Groovy on Seductive Duet ‘Foxy’

When musicians began turning to Instagram live sessions during the lockdown, Chennai-based Kevin Fernando was more than just a regular on there. Although his follower count was lower earlier in the year, he hopped on a live chat with singer-songwriter Raghav Meattle in April and performed a track, with about a hundred people tuning in.

Fernando, who now has more than 5,400 followers, went on to find fans in guitar and composing ace Ehsaan Noorani, comedian Abish Mathew and more. The musician adds, “More than anything, it’s the conversation you have with someone, right? I didn’t know anything about Raghav except his music, so it was very nice to just go live and have a conversation especially because of lockdown where you don’t have a chance to talk to people.” Although he was going live almost every day and chatting with (and singing for) the likes of Noorani and Meattle, Fernando reduced his screen time by October. 

Through most of 2020, Fernando was still sitting on a bunch of new material which would follow up his 2018 EP Cherie. He had a slew of collaborative, diverse singles out through 2019 but Fernando pivots to glimmering, ecstatic pop on his latest song “Foxy,” produced by his longtime collaborator Ashwin Vinayagamoorthy and featuring singer Nivedita Lakra. Fernando says, “I’ve always wanted to change my sound a little bit because I thought my voice is better suited for a pop kind of sound, and Ashwin kept pushing that idea to me, but I kept pushing it away saying not right now, maybe a little later.” 

Bearing an unmistakable influence from artists like The Weeknd, “Foxy” is a bold new step for Fernando, who confidently takes on the role of a seductive crooner alongside Lakra. Up next, there are more singles being readied, including a collaboration with fellow Chennai R&B/pop crooner STEVIE that’s almost completed. “There are about four to five songs which I already have recorded, but it’s in the completion stages,” Fernando adds. 

Listen to “Foxy” below. Stream on Apple Music, JioSaavn and YouTube.