CWTFB Radio’s Episode 249 brought an impressive dose of talent and raw storytelling, as hosts Charlie MaSheen, Bellez, and Kash sat down with an emerging star who’s already making waves in the Boston music scene. Enter SVMBV—an exceptional 20-year-old artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer whose dedication to his craft proves Gen-Z is anything but monolithic.
SVMBV’s journey into music is a story of passion, persistence, and real-world lessons. Starting out as a saxophonist at just nine years old, he recalls practicing for three hours a day—“slavery,” he jokingly calls it. Fueled by his mother’s financial sacrifice and expectations (“We’re paying for this, so I need to hear music”), SVMBV developed an unparalleled work ethic.
At 12, SVMBV set his sights on forming a band. He convinced his parents to buy him a guitar for Christmas, only to discover his bandmates lacked similar commitment. “It didn’t make it out of the group chat,” he quips, adding that his mother wasn’t about to let the guitar go to waste. She enrolled him in lessons with a Cape Verdean musician, leading to festival performances that further sharpened his skills.
By 14, he became enamored with the piano, drawn to its cool and universal appeal. Inspired by legends like Stevie Wonder, SVMBV taught himself the instrument, even joking, “If Stevie could do it blind, I’ve got no excuses.” His musical repertoire continued to grow, but quarantine at 15 would become a pivotal moment.
During lockdown, SVMBV entered a saxophone contest, winning a lesson with a professional musician. However, his excitement dimmed after learning the saxophonist was financially struggling. “At 15, I realized this isn’t sustainable,” he shares. It was a hard truth that pushed him to pivot toward engineering and music production, where he’s now thriving.
CWTFB Radio’s hosts didn’t shy away from discussing their own growing pains either. The episode took a reflective turn as the team opened up about their 2024 Boston Music Awards loss after three consecutive wins. Charlie MaSheen and Bellez admitted they fell short on promotion, while Kash humorously delivered a segment titled “Weakest of the Week,” critiquing the podcast’s “arrogance and complacency.”
The conversation transitioned into music reviews. Highlights included OsO CoWaBuNgA’s It’s About Damn Time EP—a project they praised for its nostalgic, fun vibe, earning a solid 4.1 out of 5 Red Cups.
For SVMBV, however, this episode was all about showcasing his artistry and journey. From internships at The Sound Lab to mastering instruments through pure grit, he’s proving that success is earned through relentless effort.
“SVMBV is the real deal,” CWTFB’s team exclaims—an artist who’s “really like that” and only getting started. If you’re not familiar yet, now’s the time to pay attention.
