“If It’s the End,” It’s Only the Beginning: Kevin Chung Talks New Music, Love Stories and Growth
Kevin Chung sits outside in a plain white shirt, the wind intermittently tousling his hair as he reflects on the journey leading up to his latest album. Speaking to EnVi over Zoom, the LA-based singer-songwriter opened up about his growth as a musician since we last talked three and a half years ago.
“We’re not out here doing sprints,” he said, a soft smile appearing as he made the comparison between running and his music career. “We’re in it for the long haul, like running a marathon.” His debut album, If It’s the End, reflects this philosophy, diving deep into themes of self-sabotage, relational complexities, and personal growth.
“I Get It But I Don’t Though”
“This album is really the closest I’ve ever been to my true sound,” said Chung. If It’s the End is the result of a long creative process, marked by digging up past experiences, growth, and a lot of patience. From the very first track to the closing moments, the album tells a complete story — a reflection of relationships stuck in a cycle, never quite finding their footing but refusing to fade away entirely.
With songs “If It’s the End” and “Don’t End Tonight” serving as emotional bookends, Chung crafted a narrative that mirrors the push and pull of love. It’s personal, yet the themes are universal, drawing listeners into his world and offering a raw exploration of doubt, connection, and the fear of letting go.
At its heart, If It’s the End is about the complexities of relationships — not just the highs, but the lows, the uncertainties. “There’s this constant back-and-forth, a feeling of not knowing whether it’s really over or not,” Chung reflected. This sense of limbo is the emotional thread that weaves through the entire album, with the bright, infectious production often disguising the heartache embedded in the lyrics. “The music itself is often really upbeat,” he said with a smile, “but if you really listen to the lyrics, they’re sad.”
It’s that intentional contrast that gives the album depth. Chung has always been about layering — creating music that feels light but holds emotional weight beneath the surface. “You can be dancing to it, but when you stop and think about what you’re singing along to, it’s a different story,” he said.
This emotional intricacy comes to life in tracks like “Language” and “Classic.” “Language” is about the frustration of trying to connect with someone when communication constantly falls short. “It’s about the disconnect that happens when you’re trying to communicate with someone you love, but you just can’t seem to get it right,” Chung explained, shaking his head slightly. On the other hand, “Classic” takes a more nostalgic tone. It embodies the simplicity and flow of a relationship that feels effortless — or at least it did, once upon a time. “It’s one of those songs where I was trying to capture that feeling of timelessness in a relationship,” he revealed.
Then there’s “Shy” and “Get So High,” tracks that reflect different stages of love. “Shy” captures the vulnerability that comes with new love, when you’re excited but uncertain, while “Get So High” explores the thrill of being deeply connected to someone, that euphoric feeling when you’re completely in sync. These songs, along with the others, form a full picture of the relationship’s arc, showing both the beauty and the tension that come with love.
Making Classics
Chung’s journey to create If It’s the End wasn’t without its hurdles. Earlier this year, he found himself creatively blocked, frustrated by the lack of progress. Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, he decided to take matters into his own hands. His solution? A 30-day songwriting challenge. “That’s ambitious,” I joked. “It was very ambitious,” he admitted with a laugh. “I didn’t finish all 30, but that process really helped push me out of my head.”
The challenge wasn’t just about writing more music; it was about breaking through the mental blocks and reigniting his creativity. “When you’re stuck, sometimes you just have to do something drastic to shake things up,” Chung said. The process pushed him to think differently, to approach songwriting from a fresh perspective. And while not every song made it onto the album, the challenge helped him find the core of what If It’s the End was meant to be.
One of the most important outcomes of that challenge was the deepened collaboration with producer Zach Paradis. “I brought Zach some of the ideas I wasn’t sure about yet, and I showed him “If It’s the End” and “Don’t End Tonight,” and he was like, ‘Yo, this is dope. Let’s work on these,’” Chung recalled with a grin. Their creative partnership took the project to the next level with Paradis producing the entire album.
Chung and Paradis’ creative chemistry is undeniable. Their collaboration goes beyond the technical — it’s about trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision. “Zach just gets it,” he said. “He knows how to take my ideas and elevate them in a way that stays true to the vision.”
The two had met years earlier, but it was during the creation of If It’s the End that their bond solidified. “We were working on these songs, and there was this moment where it just clicked,” Chung reflected. “Zach knew exactly what I was trying to do with the album, and he pushed me to go deeper into the themes.” Their sessions were often intense but always productive, and within two months, they had completed the album.
Runners High
But not every collaboration was a fit. Chung had to make tough decisions, including saying no when things didn’t align with his vision. “There was another producer who was supposed to be on If It’s the End, but it just wasn’t aligning with my vision,” he recalls. “So I ultimately said no and decided to sit with the song a bit longer.”
It was a difficult choice, but it reinforced his belief in following his instincts. “I realized that I could take a song further in the production process than I thought,” Chung reflected. “Saying no to something good, if it doesn’t fit, is hard but necessary.” This trust in his own vision, paired with Paradis’ expertise, allowed his debut album to become what it was meant to be — a deeply personal yet universally resonant work.
As we talk about persistence, Chung shared how running has played a role in shaping his mindset, serving as an unexpected inspiration for him lately. “Whenever I think about myself running, I just hate it,” he laughed. “I couldn’t imagine running more than a mile or two. But I’ve progressed in a lot of ways, and I think seeing that growth and that journey relates a lot to my music.”
For Chung, running is a metaphor for the long-term journey of creating music. Both require patience, consistency, and a willingness to keep going even when progress feels slow. “We’re not out here doing sprints. We’re in it for the long haul, like running a marathon,” he said, leaning forward slightly. He likens the effort required to excel at running to the patience necessary in creating an album. “There were moments when I thought, ‘I need that one hit song right now,’ but I’ve realized it’s more about consistently working on my craft,” Chung explained, smiling.
From Studio To Stage
With the album now out in the world, Chung is in the midst of his first-ever tour, named after the album, and his excitement is palpable. “I’m really looking forward to meeting people and playing these songs live,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “It’s my first time touring, and it feels like when I first started writing songs — there’s this newness to it all.”
Joining him on the road is none other than Zach Paradis, a continuation of their creative partnership. “Zach’s going to be there,” Chung shared, smiling. “We’ve worked on so much together, and it feels special to now take that music on the road.”
For Chung, the tour is a chance to not only connect with fans but also grow as a performer. “It’s part of the journey,” he said, reflecting on the new experiences that await him. “There’s something exciting about being in front of people and seeing their reactions to these songs.”
It’s Not The End
Though he’s focused on the tour and sharing If It’s the End with the world, Chung is already thinking about what comes next. “I want to create something bigger,” he said. “Maybe a longer album, something that dives even deeper into these themes.”
For now, though, Chung is content with the present. “This album has been such a personal journey, and I’m excited for people to hear it.” He continued, “It feels like the closest I’ve ever been to my true sound, and I’m ready to keep growing from here.”
You can listen to If It’s The End on all streaming platforms, and catch Kevin Chung and Zach Paradis on the “If It’s The End” tour. Don’t forget to keep up with Kevin Chung through his Instagram and TikTok.
Want more EnVi exclusives with your favorite rising artists? Check out our interview with Chinese American singer-songwriter Emei here!
