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An Interview With The Duo KIDEYES On Their Debut EP and More!
Posted On 11 Dec 2019
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Get the know the duo KidEyes! On October 4th, they released their debut self-titled EP.
The duo is made up of Ben Epand (production/songwriting) and Greg Cahn (vocalist), both now residing in LA as transplants. Themes of self-doubt, uncertainty, wonder, tragedy, and triumph are displayed on their self-titled debut EP, which ultimately are what connected these two collaborators to create KidEyes from scratch. The band is currently in the midst of their LA residency at HiHat (presented by KROQ + We Found New Music), and has received consistent airplay on their single “Malibu” from LA’s KROQ Locals Only.
Check out their EP here- https://soundcloud.com/kideyesx/sets/kideyes-ep/s-aG5mc
Connect With KidEyes Online Here-
www.instagram.com/kideyesofficial
www.twitter.com/kideyesofficial
Here is the video for their single “Malibu”-
Learn more about KidEyes in the following All Access interview-
So what does a typical day look like for KidEyes?
(GC) Meditate, Meditate, Meditate!
Now that the year is about over, how would you say that 2019 has treated you guys?
(GC) It was a strong year. We played some really powerful LA shows, and a few good ones outside of LA. Released an EP, had a residency, got some songs placed on a few Television shows, and wrote a bunch of new material ready for 2020. And we really feel like we found our identity in our live show. The foundation for KidEyes was definitely built in 2019!
How do you think your hometown has influenced the sound and how you both carry yourselves in KidEyes?
(GC) I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio so I wear that city on my sleeve. I’m a gritty, blue collar kind of person, so I feel like that comes out a bit onstage. I was also raised on rock n roll, so I certainly bring an element of that on everything KidEyes. As for Los Angeles, I’ve now lived in this city long enough to consider it home, so I guess I’m now a bit of a mutt. A midwest/west coast mutt. A cultured mutt.
Why would you say that you two work so well together? Where is one of you weak where the other is strong and vice-versa? Why does this duo work?
(GC) I think we both listen to what the other has to say. We both have strong individual opinions, and personal tastes and styles, but we’re also both very collaborative people, and are genuinely interested in what the other thinks. It makes for a good vibe to create and explore artistically.
Let’s talk about your new self-titled EP. What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the process of putting this album together?
(GC) While we were writing this debut EP, there was a lot of life going on behind the scenes. A lot of change and things that were influencing the songs, which is a good thing and also a hard thing. Writing these songs was very cathartic for us during that time. And it feels good to finally release them out into the universe, and then move on from then. We’ll always have them, and certainly revisit them and those emotions when we perform them on stage, but it’s important to finish and ship as artists, and continue on.
Where do you think you are both happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?
(GC) Musically, I’m happiest on stage. Personally, I’m happiest in the great outdoors. I feel the most humbled, the most balanced, the most grateful in mother nature.
What has been a favorite show of yours to date? What do you think makes an ideal performance for this band? Do you have any upcoming tour dates to wrap up the year with?
(GC) Our show at the Hermosa Beach Summer Series was a definite highlight. A perfect late August summer day. We played on the beach on a nice big stage. We were just really locked in that day. Everything was really beautiful about that set. We all jumped in the ocean after the show too!
We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that?
(GC) Our music hasn’t quite touched on politics too specifically yet. That being said, I feel it does touch on individualism. Characters that are constantly questioning their place in this world while trying to harness their rapidly shifting emotions. Oh, and Dump Trump 2020!
Who would you love to work with in the future? Who are some of your favorite artists right now?
(GC) I really like the band Big Thief. I would love to sing a duet with singer Adrianne Lenker. Also, a Bon Iver/KidEyes collab would be splendid!
What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?
(GC) Our music is certainly laced with pain, triumph, doubt and bravery. Where there is dark, there is light!
