Nevan Castañeda has spent a significant portion of his career being categorized as a “crooner.” For those following the music scene in Aurora City of Lights, and beyond, he has been the go-to name for anyone looking for that classic, mid-century vocal style. He built his reputation on a foundation of “old soul” energy, spending several years performing high-energy tributes to Elvis Presley and mastering the stagecraft of the Golden Era. But with the release of his new single, “Ashes to Ashes,” Nevan has made it clear that he is moving into a different lane entirely.
The transition from a tribute artist or a ballad singer to a standalone original artist is a path many attempt, but few execute with this much technical muscle. Before this release, Nevan found considerable success with tracks “It Should’ve Been Us” and “In Love.” Those songs leaned into a polished, pop-leaning ballad sound that resonated well with digital audiences, racking up thousands of streams on Spotify and catching the attention of several independent media outlets. Those tracks proved he had the vocal range and the audience, but they didn’t necessarily show the full scope of his musical interests.
“Ashes to Ashes” is the first of six original singles Nevan is putting out in 2026, and it sounds nothing like the “safe” love songs of his past. The track is an upbeat, driving piece of music that sits somewhere between indie-rock and blue-eyed soul. It’s faster, louder, and definitely grittier than anything he has put to tape previously. The shift is intentional, and Nevan has noted that while he can still deliver the soft ballads his fans expect, he is currently focused on exploring the rock, country, and blues elements that shaped his musical identity behind the scenes.
To get this specific sound, Nevan headed to Historic Franklin to record at Lonnie Wilson’s studio. Working with producer Matt Wilder and veteran in-studio engineer Casey Wood, the session was built on a foundation of world-class session players. Having Lonnie Wilson on the drum kit and Gary Lunn on bass gives the track a heavy, percussive low-end that you just don’t get with programmed pop beats.
The most interesting instrumental choice here is the inclusion of Jenee Fleenor on fiddle and mandolin. Fleenor is a decorated musician for a reason, and her contributions here provide a frantic, organic energy that keeps the song from feeling like a standard rock track. Combined with Jerry Kimbrough’s guitar work, the arrangement is dense and lived-in. Nevan wanted to provide listeners with an authentic, legend-infused experience, and the production team delivered on that promise.
The structure of the song is built around a heavy hook. “Ashes to ashes / and dust to dust / too much love / and too much lust…” That is clearly designed to be shouted back by a live crowd. It’s got an undeniable energy and works best at high volume, highlighting the work done by the rhythm section in Tennessee.
This release is part of Nevan’s larger strategy. He is releasing several tracks one by one, allowing each track to find its own audience before compiling them into an EP later in the year. It’s a smart move for an artist who is essentially rebranding himself in real-time.
For those who have followed Nevan from his early days, “Ashes to Ashes” might be a surprise, but it’s a logical progression. He has always had the stage presence; now he has the original material to back it up. He is taking the charisma he learned from the legends, the Sinatras and the Presleys, and applying it to a sound that is entirely his own.
“Ashes to Ashes” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can follow his release schedule and find more information on his upcoming EP via his official links:
https://www.nevancastanedamusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/nevanElvis
For bookings and press inquiries: Contact Nicole w/ Unreachable Star Entertainment – (303) 915-1022 Email: contact@nevancastanedamusic.com
