Eyelid Kid

Hi Eyelid Kid, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I was just talking to my friends about how important risk-taking is for an artist’s growth… Looking back on my career as a musician/actor I’ve been able to pinpoint a handful of risks that I’ve taken that define Eyelid Kid’s story. From an early age, I’ve neglected just about everything else in my life except for music and meaningful relationships. It took time, but I realized the risk I was taking by not preparing for the traditional route of; College — Degree — Job — Family. Instead, I poured my time and resources post-highschool into musical gear and midwest tours. By the time I was 23 I had performed twice as an official SXSW artist, joined a local music label, and relocated to LA. Through pursuing a career in music and acting I’ve learned first hand that the greater risk you take the higher reward you receive. I’ve learned that it’s an artist’s job to venture down unknown paths in order to bring new perspectives to our collective lens. - SHOUTOUT LA

EYELID KID IS AN ELECTRONIC MUSIC ARTIST BASED IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. HAVING ROOTS IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, EYELID KID HAS QUICKLY MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN THE INDIE ELECTRONIC COMMUNITY AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HIS SECOND ALBUM TITLED 'SOPHOMORE. - Mâché

Rising musician Eyelid Kid discusses his new single ‘Rosegøld’ and what fans can expect on his second EP, sophomøre.

An Austin, Texas native, Eyelid Kid has begun to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. It is through the use of a synthesizer and the rhythmic beat of live drums that he is able to transport listeners to the worlds he creates.

Born to the name of Paul Grant, he gives credit to his hometown for inspiring him to get involved with music.

“I think growing up in Austin has always given me a pretty special connection to music,” Eyelid Kid explains. “Being a musician was never really a question to me; it’s more about navigating my life to allow for the time and energy music demands.”

I guess I’m just surprised that none of it stopped me.
Nothing has stopped him from following his dreams, including the devastation and utter defeat many would feel when entire albums are lost to hard drive crashes. The performer adds that he’s had MacBooks die while he was on stage. “I guess I’m just surprised that none of it stopped me,” he concludes as he remembers the trials he’s endured so far.

These events wouldn’t have stopped the music from flowing from him though.

“For me, inspiration can come at any point in time,” explains the EK Fashion Line designer. “When it does, I do my best to make something of it.” He admits that it can occur when he becomes one with the natural beauty around him as well. “Sometimes I’ll go camping and emerge myself in nature where my thoughts can breathe.”

No matter where the inspiration may strike, it seems like magic is almost guaranteed. This is especially true with Eyelid Kid’s newest single “Rosegøld”, the first from his second EP.

The vocals are simple and create an emotional bridge between the listener and the electronics.
Giving a feeling that is both electric dance pop and ethereal, fans will be able to feel like they are anywhere in the galaxy while listening to “Rosegøld”. Whether it’s in the middle of the forest or at the heart of a dance floor, they’re able to immerse themselves in this universe and feel good at the same time.

“‘Rosegøld’ is a house inspired original with glittery synths, talking pianos, and crunchy drums,” he says of the single. “The vocals are simple and create an emotional bridge between the listener and the electronics.”

Dubbing his music as “frosted pop”, Eyelid Kid reveals that this stellar single was actually created by accident. He says, “While using the project folder as an exercise on how to build my own synth sounds from scratch, I formed the chords and melodies. Once I added drums and vocals, I realized it was meant to be much more than I intended.”

Photo Credit: Storm Santos
Photo Credit: Storm Santos

The song seemed to have taken on a life of its own, from the cover for the song to the release of it. Gracing the artwork for the single are some of Eyelid Kid’s friends – Tyler Posey [“Teen Wolf”] and Sophia Taylor Ali [“Faking It”] as well as longtime girlfriend Violett Beane [“The Flash”].

“I had wanted to crew up on a photo shoot for some time and the group you see in the cover art are the friends I’ve been kicking with all summer,” Eyelid Kid says of his choice in models. “It was only natural. I believe the group helps tell a story of some sort.”

From there, “Rosegøld” became the first single from his upcoming EP not only for the work he put into it but also its timing.

“Honestly, it was the first one that was ready!” he says of the song. “I think it sets the tone nicely and gives a taste of what’s to come!”

Describing the rest of his EP, Eyelid Kid reveals it to be self-produced. The EP, appropriately named sophomøre, will feature a good amount of emotional transposed vocals that sit on a bed of syrupy sound, according to the musician himself. “I think the sentiments and tone will be somewhat similar to Hometown but I think the overall sound will be a bit more mature,” he says when he compares his new EP to his first one.

“I think that’s for it to decide,” Eyelid Kid responds when Teenplicity asks how he wants sophomøre to stand out against his other music. “I try to just make the material and then see where it goes and how it stands on its own.” However, he hopes that the EP will continue to grow even past its future release. “I would like to license it for film and fashion projects if the opportunity presents itself!”

In the past, Eyelid Kid’s work has been given the opportunity to be perceived and creatively acted on by those closest to him. Violett Beane directed, edited, and starred in the music video for his song “Landscape” just last year.

Violett took his song and developed a dark, haunted aspect for the video, breathing a completely different kind of life into his work.

Eyelid Kid recalls the entire experience to be awesome. “We know each other so well that working creatively together felt seamless. Violett plays a pretty big role in Eyelid Kid behind the curtain – she developed the website, works as a second ear to all of the recordings, and of course is the never-ending muse.”

Photo Credit: Storm Santos
Photo Credit: Storm Santos

Working with close friends isn’t uncommon for him, as he has mainly collaborated with them for his music videos. “I can imagine there are pros and cons to both,” he says of working with those he has a personal relationship with versus those he has a strictly professional relationship with. “I’m sure I will experience that soon.”

Yet as much as I learned, I will probably be able to say the same thing in a few years from now.
Perhaps that could be due to a future musical collaboration with some of his favorite artists. Naming just a few, Eyelid Kid cites Donald Glover, Frank Ocean, and Mark Foster to be some of the artists he’d love to work with.

Until that happens, he will continue his journey of growth, musically and personally.

“Honestly, I’ve grown in every way imaginable,” he says as he looks back on his time as an artist thus far. He acknowledges, “Yet as much as I learned, I will probably be able to say the same thing in a few years from now.”

This is in part due to those he surrounds himself with. He says it is more the spirit of a few close individuals that helps guide him with his career rather than just a statement from one in particular. “I can’t really put it into one piece of advice,” he confesses. “But I couldn’t do it without them!” - Teenplicity

We have quite a cool new track to share with you today from an electro‐pop group out of Texas who go by the name Eyelid Kid. Their brand new single is called ‘Fortify’, it’s the next taste of their upcoming album ‘Hometown’, and I reckon this one is going to have quite a few heads turning in their direction. - Hype Machine

We have quite a cool new track to share with you today from an electro‐pop group out of Texas who go by the name Eyelid Kid. Their brand new single is called ‘Fortify’, it’s the next taste of their upcoming album ‘Hometown’, and I reckon this one is going to have quite a few heads turning in their direction. - Acid Stag

Paul Grant, otherwise known as Eyelid Kid, refers to his style of music as “colorful, drugged-out, frosting pop.”

After watching the Austin-based artist’s newest music video for the Eyelid Kid single “On Your Mind”, we have to agree. The video, directed by Garson Ormiston and filmed in Austin, Texas, follows Eyelid Kid through a dreamy house party—complete with an ethereal dance bash and spacey pool scenes. If anything, the video articulates the shared human experience of community, love, lust, and fun, while simultaneously conveying a sense of nostalgia for good times past.

As for the inspiration behind “On Your Mind” itself? Grant says he was at one moment “at a sidebar drunkenly declaring what [he] wanted out of life” and then “woke up hunched over [his] 1920s out of tune organ with the lyrics scribbled out on a paper plate.”

Check out the video for Eyelid Kid’s “On Your Mind” below: - TWELV MAGAZINE

Eyelid Kid is premiering his latest indie pop single "Heartbeat" exclusively on AXS, and you can listen to it now by using the media player included with this article. If you like what you hear, you can also download the track for free on the artist's page on Bandcamp.

If you haven't heard of Eyelid Kid yet, here's what you need to know. The Austin native comes from a musical family; his father is a folk and blues musician, and some of his earliest memories were of dancing with his mother to his father's music. Eyelid Kid thus grew up immersed in music and he decided to pick up the guitar as well as learn piano at an early age.

From there he developed a sound that has both pop and electronic elements, with layers of synths and live drums accompanying the vocals to create a combination that stands out from the standard modern pop singles. "Heartbeat" is an example of that, with quirky music backing lyrics that twist words into uniquely phrased sentences, including a Justin Bieber reference. In every aspect the song is not quite what you'd expect, with pieces in places you wouldn't expect they'd be, and that unpredictability keeps the listening audience on the edge of its seat.

It's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Eyelid Kid's self-produced debut album, which is called Hometown and planned for release at an unspecified date later this month. The record features his supporting band members Sam Jordan, Mackenzie and Morgan Taylor and will be one that pop fans should keep an ear out for. If this single shows anything, it's that this group possesses a tremendous amount of creativity that they're about to unleash on the music world.

Those who like the sound of "Heartbeat" can also check out Eyelid Kid's past YouTube releases: "Shadow Talk," "On Your Mind" and "Open Up."

Eyelid Kid's next live performance will be as the opener at the Leach album release event this Thursday, April 24 at Empire Control Room and Garage in Austin, Texas. The evening starts at 10 p.m. and more information is available on Facebook. - AXS

In the chilling new video for Eyelid Kid’s “Landscape,” the Austin electro-pop act’s frontman Paul Grant awakes in an old empty house. Shining a lamp around the vacant estate to discover clawed-up walls and a foreboding basement stairway, he soon realizes he’s not alone.

What follows mixes various horror film staples – demonic possession, dolls coming to life, and creepy twins – into a midnight playdate with a ghostly orphan named Ada. The ominous action plays out over Eyelid Kid’s moody synthetic ballad, prepped for release on forthcoming full-length debut Hometown.

The story of how the video was made is a daring adventure in its own right.

It began at a house party in Austin’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood, where Grant wandered off the property to find a quiet place to take a phone call from cinematographer Garson Ormiston. As the two discussed music video ideas for Eyelid Kid, Grant found himself in front of a large Victorian-style home that appeared abandoned. He turned the doorknob – unlocked.

Grant returned to the party to share the discovery with his girlfriend Violett Beane, a homegrown actress who plays Jesse Wells on CW drama The Flash. With equal measure of intrigue and trepidation, the two explored the vacant midcentury estate, finding room after room, an out-of-commission elevator, and long, tunnel-like closets connecting a maze of bedrooms in the dusty, rundown relic.

“When we walked in, we said, ‘This has got to be seen by people. We have to make a video,’” recalls Beane, who directed the video. “Then we just sat there in the house and formulated the whole concept. I wanted to try something different than what I’ve been doing, which is playing the good girl, and we thought, ‘Why not a horror music video?’”

Beane spent the next week accumulating wardrobe, makeup, and props to match the dark, gritty aesthetic of their video vision. Ormiston acquired a Sony A7S camera specializing in low-light shoots and duct taped a flashlight to it. Grant printed off bogus location release forms and put them in a professional-looking portfolio with contact information for a fictitious landlord, John Spearman, plus head shots of Beane, and manager agreements.

“I just collected anything official that looked like it could validate this project,” explains Grant.

The run-and-gun-style shoot began at sundown and lasted through the night. Beane, donning black face paint and iris-deleting contact lenses to portray Ada, propelled the action by scurrying inhumanly around the set. Eyelid Kid’s stage dancers, twins Morgan and Mackenzie Taylor, adapted their glitchy dance routines into a paranormal ritual that synchs up with the track’s breaks and drops.

The video’s supernatural beings weren’t the only unwelcome guests that night.

At midnight, the video shoot was interrupted by four police cars racing to the scene. Officers charged up to the house to stop what they thought was a breaking and entering in progress.

“They told us that someone had called and said there are lights on in this house and there isn’t supposed to be. They wanted to know what we were doing,” remembers Beane. “We handed them the portfolio and said, ‘We’re filming a music video. Here are our permits. You can call John Spearman.’”

“They pulled out a flashlight, looked at the form for two seconds, then closed it up and were like, ‘Cool,’” laughs Grant. “They were really serious at first. Then the tone shifted so fast. They started exploring the house saying, ‘This is creepy.’”

It took until 5am, nearly sun-up, to complete shooting. Then they packed out and left the old house standing empty – exactly as they’d found it.

Eyelid Kid releases Hometown on July 29 with a show at Cheer Up Charlies that will feature the Taylor twins dancing and band member Sam Jordan – not featured in the clip – on drums. Beane, who acted, directed, and edited footage for “Landscape” can be seen on The Flash Tuesdays, 7pm CT.

The exact location of the abandoned mansion remains undisclosed. - The Austin Chronicle

“rosegøld” will be Eyelid Kid’s first single off his upcoming Untitled EP, set to be released early 2018. The single’s album art features actors Violett Beane (The CW’s ‘The Flash’), Tyler Posey (MTV’s ‘Teen Wolf’) and Sophia Taylor Ali (MTV’s ‘Faking It’).

Eyelid Kid released his self-produced debut album, ‘Hometown’ in April 2016. The album was a creative effort by Eyelid Kid and his supporting band. The band consisted of Sam Jordan, Mackenzie and Morgan Taylor. Check out his past music on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/eyelidkid or iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

Eyelid Kid’s longtime girlfriend, actress Violett Beane, directed, edited, and starred in the band’s music video, ‘Landscape’. Check out the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePIh56-Dd1M

Eyelid Kid is a rising force in the music industry. With songs written in the forest and performed in the city, Eyelid Kid constructs spiritual adventures through his music. Paul Grant aka Eyelid Kid was born in Austin, Texas and music have always been a part of Eyelid Kid’s life. Some of his first memories are of dancing under the bar light to his father’s Blues tunes. Naturally, Eyelid Kid followed in his father’s footsteps and created a world for himself within music.

Drawn to music’s ability to define, control and alter perception, Eyelid Kid pulls from relationships and experiences in his life to create his music. Sometimes it starts as a drunken voice, or as an instrumental skeleton. No matter the way his music starts, Eyelid Kid takes inspiration from an eclectic group of other great musicians like MGMT, Animal Collective, and even Justin Bieber. Eyelid Kid’s sound is defined as indie pop or as the band puts it, “frosted pop”, but it is much more than that. It awakens powerful feelings that grab you into the experience. His vocals weave in and out of layers of ethereal synthesizer while live drums anchor the music to the here and now. The rhythmic backbone gives shape to the sound and turns what could be another keyboard-pop two-piece into a duo that delivers well-composed electro-alt that is as catchy as it is engaging. Eyelid Kid’s expressions can be felt with every cord.

In addition to music, Eyelid Kid designed the EK Fashion Line that consists of both screen printed and digitally printed designs on high-quality fabrics. The EK Fashion Line is available on http://www.eyelidkid.com. - Occhi Magazine

Last week, the enigmatic Eyelid Kid sent us the link to his brand new video for “On Your Mind,” a track he has technically had out for close to a year but which manages to stay permanently fresh thanks to its timelessness and thematic focus on young lust. The video follows up on that last bit, making the song’s vague longing more explicit, following an eyelid kid around a pool party as he seeks comfort in the embrace of a girl who mysteriously weaves in and out of his vision. Garson Ormiston’s direction gives the video a truer feeling of young romance than you see in teen dramas or their crasser sex comedy kin, though, honing in on the excitement and fear of fleeting moments of electric touch. Ormiston has a knack for combining his short film past with the more impatient demands of music videos, effortlessly developing a casual narrative in the video that makes for a nice break from the often ramshackle moving image collections we usually see. As for seeing Eyelid Kid, we’ve been told you can catch the Kid live at Mohawk on August 29th for Raw Paw’s Alien Zine release show, where he may or may not be backed by three friends. - Ovrld

Eyelid Kid is the musical endeavor of Paul Grant, music director of Raw Paw and co-founder of show promoter Junocat. He originally launched the music project eight months ago and says it is best described as “electronic performance art.” Grant says the solo project that began as a way to “direct all of [his] harnessed creativity in one direction” has grown, especially since he added a drummer and two dancers to the mix.

His latest track embodies the gradual evolution of the Eyelid Kid. Where his premiere track “On Your Mind” was catchy and upbeat, “Shadow Talk” is toned down, yet still encompasses a strong moving beat throughout the song. Grant says it sounds “glittery and synthetic” but also “very strung out,” as if the listener is moving in a trance. “It goes a little deeper, emotion-wise, and shows more personality of the project,” he says. “It also shows where the project is going.”

Grant has big future plans for Eyelid Kid, including more new music this summer and a short tour in July. For now, you can catch him at Cheer Up Charlie’s on May 15, and at the Empire Control Room on May 23. - Orange Magazine

As a fuckoff big Urban Outfitters goes up on the drag, and as a seemingly endless series of articles about the death of the Austin creative class at the hands of the Big Dollar swarms at us like a nonstop sandstorm of hurtytruth, it's nice that we at The Deli keep gettin’ an equal if not even psychically stronger swarm of good Austin music flowing at us from the other sociological direction. It helps to keep our souls from burning out, and it's especially cockles-warmin' (oh them neglected cockles) to know that there are still some Austin creatives out there succeeding at that most oldschool Austin of tasks, in that they’re able to both continue to make awesome shit and actually make a functioning business of it.

Among those makers who keep the good light burnin' and the money comin' in to the ATX the right way (and for the right people) is one Paul Grant- Record Label Manager at the stellar Raw Paw records, and the creative force behind Eyelid Kid, an electronic pop music act that just released an excellent new track of bouncy, tempo-changing beats called “Shadow Talk.”

“Shadow Talk” is a bit of a conundrum in this celebration-obsessed city, in that its very “now,” airy, thoughtful electronic production is complemented by lyrics that are all about frustration with dating someone who is all party all the time, a sentiment that you don’t hear expressed out loud that much here in Party City, Texas. If you’ve ever had the misfortune of being in the situation it discusses, “Shadow Talk” gets the feeling of being dead into someone while also being quite aware that they’re far more into themselves and The Party than is healthy just dead to rights. Lines like “But it’s just like you to blow me off” are almost painfully accurate that lopsided, always-doomed (but pretty thrilling while it lasts) dating set-up, but even if you’ve never been in that weird (and perhaps more Austin than we’d all like to admit) sexual limbo, the track itself is also just one gorgeously constructed piece of future pop music that should find itself buried deep in that part of the brain where ear worms live for any listeners who are into artful pop music.

Eyelid Kid himself calls it “frosting pop,” a moniker that encapsulates the “very bright and pretty and feels good right now” vibe of the track, though perhaps it undersells the somewhat outside-the-typical-pop-box thoughts in the lyrics. That fully pop-ness that also undermines pop expectations (lines could be maybe be drawn between Eyelid Kid’s approach and that of pop confusers PC Music) extends even to the album art, a manga-influenced piece by Blake Bohls that is very much in the realm of pop art but also very unlike most pop music record covers.

“Shadow Talk” is just one more piece of proof that Austin has a burgeoning pool of pop talent that is indie only in their disassociation with big labels and which fears no beat, and it is a wonderfully welcome piece of future-leaning pop music that is good for the Austinite’s soul, as it is for the soul of Austin itself. Eyelid Kid has only been performing since September, but it’s said that his shows are something magical to behold and more have been coming up of late (including a show at Empire Garage June 26th with The Deli Austin favorites Slooom and Shmu along with Hikes), so keep an eye on this entrepreneurial creator and embodier of the spirit of this city as it is when its being its true self at his Facebook page, and listen to the poplovely “Shadow Talk” below. - The Deli

Our boy Eyelid Kid is at it again with a fresh new single, “Shadow Talk!” Take a listen to this drugged-out frosting pop - Plog

Violett can currently be seen on The CW’s DC Comics hit show, “The Flash” as Jesse Quick. She also appeared in the HBO series “The Leftovers” as Taylor Truitt. This talented actor is now taking her turn behind the camera to create this surreal vision which is laced with nightmare images that contrast with Paul’s clear, almost bell-like vocals. The juxtaposition of these two qualities make for an experience that won’t be easily forgotten.

Paul Grant and Eyelid Kid were featured at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. The band received critical acclaim from music insiders and fans alike for their multi-dimensional musical performance art and memorable melodies. Eyelid Kid is creating a new niche for themselves that they have named frosting pop. The music video for Landscape takes Paul’s performance art to another level and leaves you wanting to see and hear more. - Talk Nerdy With Us

First up is Paul Grant of Austin, Texas band Eyelid Kid, who writes about the variety of ways and the sources from which he finds an almost endless supply of inspiration.

My girlfriend and I were discussing our influences the other day at a cafe in Brooklyn and I realized that they’re not all musicians and they generally have more than one hustle. For instance, I’m a big supporter of anything Donald Glover does whether its rapping under the alias Childish Gambino, acting, or stand up comedy. I have a lot of respect for artists who can express themselves through multiple mediums, I think it shows a certain depth that not a lot of artists have. NBA point guard Russell Westbrook is another big influence for his sheer skill, passion, and influence in the fashion world.

This past week I’ve been attending an average of 2-3 fashion shows a day and it has been really inspiring. Not only has it sparked innovative fashion ideas that I can’t wait to produce but it has given me more knowledge and connections in the industry itself. As amazing as fashion week has been I see a lot of room for improvement and am excited to grow my involvement in that world.

So looking forward to the future, I plan on producing a new clothing line when I get back to Austin. I can’t risk disclosing any details of what that will look like quite yet but to view or order my previous products go to www.eyelidkid.com/wear. As far as music goes I couldn’t be more excited to digitally release our debut album “Hometown” on October 21st! But beyond that I’m starting to dive back in to the world of writing and collaborating for whatever is to follow up our this first body of work, as well as revamping our live set and began booking a west coast tour for the spring! Thanks for tuning into the world of Eyelid Kid!

Much luv,

– EK - This Is The Latest

Eyelid Kid is dropping his new song “rosegøld” today, and Celeb Secrets has your exclusive first listen!

The track is the first single off his upcoming EP sophomøre, set to be released in early 2018. Aside from being a killer track, the album art features Eyelid Kid’s girlfriend Violett Beane, Tyler Posey, and Sophia Taylor!

“”rosegøld” started as a personal assignment to better learn how to customize my own synthesizers and sounds. I guess the time spent tediously tweaking them paid off,” Eyelid Kid told us exclusively. - Celeb Secrets

Where does the name Eyelid Kid come from?
After acting in a dark and emotional short film in college, the director asked me to come up with a title for it. Eyelid Kid was one of 20ish names scribbled in my journal that I gave to him. Before the film was ever released, I asked him to change the name because I decided to run with that alias.



What’s the story behind the new song “rosegøld”?
“rosegøld” came pretty naturally by just spending time in the studio and reworking old chord progressions with new sounds. Most of it was recorded in one session and then tweaked over the following summer months. I recorded all the vocals myself and had a lot of fun transposing and chopping them up. All in all, I became pretty attached to it’s glittery crunch.
.

Photo Credit: Storm Santos.
Who had the idea for the “Landscape” video?
The idea for the Landscape music video was inspired by an old abandoned house that Violett Beane and I stumbled into one night… That sounds like an episode of Stranger Things or something but it’s the truth haha. We sat in one of the upstairs bedrooms and begin talking about how it could be a pretty intense location for a music video. We began snowballing ideas off each other and stayed up all night conceptualizing it. It was a super fun and exhilarating music video to make! Click here to see the video.
.
For those who haven’t seen you live, how would you describe your shows and atmosphere?
The live show is dark but energetic and romantic. It has a youthful but conscious vibe to it. It is a lucid dream where you are free to explore what you want most from life in that moment.
.
What are your plans for the end of 2017?
More music, more merch, more videos, and more shows! Thank you so much for keeping up!
– EK xx - Nü Sound

* Video interview - The New Music Buzz

Eyelid Kid describe their music as “frosted pop.” It doesn’t make much sense until you turn on one of the group’s songs. The designation just fits. Somewhere in the smooth tangle of distorted vocals, glossy beats, and fluid synths, there is a sense of ‘frosted.’ Eyelid Kid’s music glides along as though on ice skates, nothing breaking the flow of serene, reflective lyrics and velvety melodies. The sheer level of polish and poise in the music makes one think of a winter landscape, glittering and pristine. Stuttering beats or unedited vocals only occasionally break through the electronic haze, serving to break the listener out of their soothing, distant reverie.

Favorites: “Rosegøld,” “Landscape,” “On Your Mynd”

Similar to: Grizzly Business, Lostboycrow, Azure Hiptronics

Interview:

If you could describe the band’s ethos in one word, what would it be?

Water.

You call your music ‘frosted pop’. What does that mean to you?

I feel like it’s a certain blend of indie-pop and hip-hop that keeps the focus on the melodies and hooks.

What is your songwriting process like?

I’m constantly jotting down ideas in my iPhone, so when I get into the studio, I just try to make sense of them all.

You self-produced your debut album “Hometown”, and produced the music video for “Landscape”. Do you feel like doing everything yourself lets you convey your vision for the music better?

I do get pretty picky when it comes to Eyelid Kid content but I do want to work with more producers and directors in the future!

What do you think is the perfect environment for listening to your music?

Driving through the city at night with a crew of your closest friends.

What would your dream collaboration be?

Frank Ocean.

You have a new EP coming out early next year, called “sophomøre”. What’s the story behind the title?

It started as a working title but over time it seemed to be more and more fitting. Visually, the album is going have a strong high school type vibe to it as well.

Is “rosegøld” a good indication of what the EP will sound like?

For the most part but I think overall the EP will be more lyric-driven than “rosegøld” and a little less beat orientated.

What are your plans for the near future?

I’m headed to Austin for a few shows in October but when I get back, I plan on crunching out “sophomøre” and following it up with some LA shows! - The Offbeat

Our current obsession? Eyelid Kid. We caught up with the talented artist to chat about his latest single “rosegøld,” his upcoming EP and more! Read the exclusive interview below and don’t forget to follow Eyelid Kid on Twitter and Instagram!

Let’s talk about your recently released single, “rosegøld”! How did the song come together for you?
“rosegøld” kind of started out as a learning experience on building my own synthesizers and sounds. However, after I added a crunchy house inspired beat and layers of transposed vocals it began to grow on me. Most of those initial ideas happened over the course of one “all-nighter” and then I sat on it for a few months mixing and tweaking it.


What’s the story behind it?
It’s not that I’m constantly in a state of desperation but when I am, it seems to be enough to creatively fuel me for some time. Although “rosegøld” is not lyrically driven it seems to provoke that feeling of desperation while also lifting you out of it and back into the never-ending grind of your day-to-day.

What’s the reaction been like from fans so far? The single’s artwork features some familiar faces – what inspired you to include Violett, Tyler, and Sophia on it?
The reactions have been awesome! It’s been a little bit since I’ve released music, so the material has definitely matured and I’m glad people are digging the direction it has taken. I wanted to paint a strong vibe and I feel like having a crew helped do that. Everyone involved in the artwork has become close friends of mine over the summer, so it made sense to crew up on the photo shoot as well!


The track is off your upcoming EP – should fans be expecting the rest of “sophomore” to have the same vibe?
Similar for sure. I think it’ll display a range of energy, experimentation, and emotion.

What do you hope fans take away from you and your music?
I hope people take away from it whatever it is they are in need of, inspiration, emotional understandings, or simply music to lay memories on top of.

What’s the songwriting process usually like for you?
I don’t really have a formula to writing songs, so I guess the process is a little spontaneous. I write a lot of notes on my iPhone in an altered state of mind and often revisit them the next time I’m in the studio.

Is there a song you absolutely love that you wish you wrote?
I don’t think I’ve ever thought about a song like that. The songs that I love, usually feel like they could have only come from that artist and I think that may be a part of why I love those songs.

Growing up, which artist(s) do you remember loving? Do they influence your sound today?
Animal Collective was a very pivotal artist for me when I was in high school. I think some of their experimental soundscapes still influence my sound.

When it comes to stage presence, which artists do you admire?
I saw The Weeknd not too long ago and his presence was insane! I think it is very impressive for anyone to create a connection with a crowd on that kind of level. Mad respect for the goats you know.

Which artists/songs have you been loving lately?
Lil Uzi Vert – The Way Life Goes
Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
Aminé – Veggies
BROCKHAMPTON – FACE

Let’s talk about the EK Fashion Line! What inspired that?
I just never wanted to make typical feeling band merch, so I started a series of all over printed graphic designs. It’s still in it’s early stages but I’m excited to see how far I can take it in the future.

Should fans be expecting new releases from it anytime soon?
Yeah for sure! Rosegøld Tee coming very soon!

What’s been the highlight of your year so far?
Here’s a few…
The Viper Room Tour Kick Off Show in Los Angeles
Official SXSW Show
Vacation to Thailand

What’s something you’re still hoping to cross off your bucket list?
Here’s a few…
Acting
Visiting Australia
Designing a VR Experience

What’s the best way for fans to get your attention on social media?
Instagram/SoundCloud

When you’re not busy with music, what are you usually up to?
Acting/Modeling in small projects. Kickin it with homies. Traveling.

Fast facts:
1. I’m the son of a preacher man
2. I have a bunny who helps me make hip-hop
3. “You drive your gf crazy with your energy” – Violett Beane
4. I’m asthmatic, that’s not fun dough.
5. If I could bend an element I’d be an Airbender! - The Daily Shuffle

Rose gold isn’t just a hype and the color that you had to make sure your iPhone is. It’s also the title of up-and-coming artist Eyelid Kid’s newest single, rosegøld. Whether or not you’re familiar with him, you will want to be after reading our interview below with the talented fella. From writing songs literally in the forest to creating “spiritual adventures” in his music Eyelid Kid (AKA Paul Grant) knows just the right music to stop everything and drift away to another place. Now, isn’t that what we wish all music can do?

TYF: Props to your new single “rosegøld”. I read that it was all handcrafted sounds which hands down, I appreciate so much. How did you go about putting the song together with so many sounds at your fingertips? What’s your process (if you have one) when you’re given a clean slate to work with and make what you want?

Paul Grant: Thank you! I generally start with a chord progression on a very basic tone so that the root of the song is powerful enough on it’s own without any flashy production. From there, I usually build the beat out a bit and try to hone in on the overall vibe by adding whatever feels the most natural.

TYF: Your music is the type of music that you can easily close your eyes and drift away or not care about what’s going on around you. Was that your intention when you first started Eyelid Kid or was that something that formed throughout the years?



Grant: For whatever reason Eyelid Kid has always had a very dreamy tone to it. But the sound is always evolving and it never is what it was 6 months ago. It often feels like I’m kind of just following it where it wants to go.

TYF: What’s a song that you can absolutely let loose to no matter how many times you listen to it?

Grant: Super random, but there’s a dance track credited by Justce vs Simian called “We Are Your Friends” that I’ve always jammed! But my “song of the moment” is a track by Lil Uzi Vert called “The Way Life Goes”.

TYF: Who introduced you into producing your own music? What was the first song you ever produced?



Grant: When I was 14, I had an old Dell computer that my older brother had torrented Fruity Loops on. I started using a small microphone that was attached to a pair of gaming headphones to record. I think the first real song I produced was actually for my older brother.

TYF: With new music pouring out literally every day and in every direction, how do you steer yourself from coming too close to sounding like someone similar and creating your own distinct sound?

Grant: I strive to create music that is at least new to me so if I’ve heard it, I probably don’t sound too similar.

TYF: How’s your upcoming “sophomøre” EP coming along? What challenges, if any, have you experienced while putting it together? What are you most proud of, so far?



Grant: It’s slowly starting to take a solid shape. I think a challenge that I often face is dictating whether a track is truly finished. As the sole producer, I could tweak the tracks forever but at some point I just need to call it finished. I’m probably most proud of Sophomøre’s overall tone and it’s ability to subtly sink into an environment.

TYF: Along with music you do have a fashion line we should be aware of! Why did you decide to start a fashion line in the first place and will your music sort of intertwine with the line?
Grant: Creating this series of tees and phone cases has just been like another creative outlet but I do think stylistically they mesh pretty well and yes, with each track that I drop, I plan to pair it with a new item in my shop!

TYF: After your album is released in 2018, how do you envision the rest of the year?

Grant: I never really know where the project will be that far in the future, but I’m excited to see where this album takes it. In 2018, I want to start playing consistent shows in LA along with a West Coast tour and potentially a few summer festivals. - The Young Folks

As far as songwriting goes; I'm constantly writing notes in my phone and when I get in the studio I just try to make sense of it all.
Fresh off the release of their colorfully produced single “Rosegøld” Eyelid Kid discusses the secret behind the signature “Frosting Pop” sound. With the much anticipated “Sophomøre” album scheduled to drop in early 2018 the Blvd. had a few questions!

Tell us about “Rosegøld”, what is the story behind your latest single?

The “Rosegøld” project folder began as sort of a learning lesson to get better at building my own sounds from scratch.



As I started to vibe with the chords, I laid down some vocals that I ended up transposing (the low voice). This came out pretty naturally and 95% of it was written and recorded in one night.

Rosegøld by: Eyelid Kid


How long has your band been together and what makes it unique?

Eyelid Kid has been together for about 3 years. What makes us unique is our twin dancers, who bring an extremely engaging movement to the music. Also, the fact that it is all self-produced material.

As a producer and songwriter how would you describe your sound; and what makes it your own?


Eyelid Kid – Photography by Madeline Harvey
I describe it as Frosting Pop, which in my mind is a hue of light blues and pinks that mix together to create an emotional swell. It is unique because it is derived from my experiences and visions that stand alone.

So where did the name Eyelid Kid originate from?


Eyelid Kid – Photography by: Storm Santos @StormShoots
After acting in a dark and emotional short film in college, the director asked me to come up with a title for it. Eyelid Kid was 1 of 20+ names scribbled in my journal that I gave to him. Before the film was ever released, I asked him to change the name because I decided to run with the alias as my own.

Tell us a little about your upbringing, where you are from, your family?

I was born in Austin, TX in the mid 90’s. My family of 6 grew up on the northeast side, which was the cheapest area to live in at the time. My father being a rock-n-roll musician, naturally lead to my interest in music. So the bulk of my childhood was spent shredding guitars and learning the classic piano pieces he had composed for my siblings and I.


You also have an apparel line the EK Fashion Line. How did you get into fashion design, and how would you describe your personal style?

I believe my interest in fashion came along with my growing love for pop culture. My personal style reflects that as well as my determination to keep it unique.


Can you tell us about working with your longtime girlfriend and creative partner Violett Beane?

Yeah, Violett is one of the smartest and most talented people I’ve ever worked with. A lot of people mention the music video for Landscape that we did together, but our creative partnership goes a lot deeper than that one project. She is behind the camera, the second ear in the studio, and the designer of the Eyelid Kid website. (@Violett Beane is best known for her role as Jesse Quick in The CW’s The Flash)


If you could pick the brain of any music artist past or present; who would it be, and what questions would you ask?

At this point probably Frank Ocean. I’d ask… “What empowered you to be so vulnerable through your music?”


MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: Frank Ocean performs at The Parklife Festival 2017 at Heaton Park on June 11, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus#GP/Corbis via Getty Images))
In 2018 you will be releasing your “Sophomøre” album, what can we expect to hear?

A dynamic range of emotional soundscapes, some spirited lyrics, and crunchy dance rhythms!

What is your creative process like?

I generally start with a chord progression on a very basic tone, so that the root of the song is powerful enough on it’s own without any flashy production.

As far as songwriting goes; I’m constantly writing notes in my phone and when I get in the studio I just try to make sense of it all.

Where do you see yourself taking this music in the future?

I think it’s more about where the music takes me and what doors it opens. I’d love to license it to the film and fashion industries and see how it accompanies other bodies of work. - Young Blvd

Paul Grant aka Eyelid Kid was born in Austin, Texas and music has always been a part of his life. Some of his first memories with music are of him dancing under the bar light to his father’s Blues tunes. Naturally, Eyelid Kid followed in his father’s footsteps and created a world for himself within music.

Eyelid Kid’s first single off his upcoming Untitled EP will be titled ‘ROSEGØLD’ and is set to release early 2018. The single’s album art features actors Violett Beane (The CW’s ‘The Flash’), Tyler Posey (MTV’s ‘Teen Wolf’) and Sophia Taylor Ali (MTV’s ‘Faking It’). - The Urban Twist

Eyelid Kid is dropping his new song “rosegøld” today, and Celeb Secrets has your exclusive first listen!

The track is the first single off his upcoming EP sophomøre, set to be released in early 2018. Aside from being a killer track, the album art features Eyelid Kid’s girlfriend Violett Beane, Tyler Posey, and Sophia Taylor!

“”rosegøld” started as a personal assignment to better learn how to customize my own synthesizers and sounds. I guess the time spent tediously tweaking them paid off,” Eyelid Kid told us exclusively. - Celebs Secrets

“rosegøld” will be Eyelid Kid’s first single off his upcoming Untitled EP, set to be released early 2018. The single’s album art features actors Violett Beane (The CW’s ‘The Flash’), Tyler Posey (MTV’s ‘Teen Wolf’) and Sophia Taylor Ali (MTV’s ‘Faking It’).

Eyelid Kid released his self-produced debut album, ‘Hometown’ in April 2016. The album was a creative effort by Eyelid Kid and his supporting band. The band consisted of Sam Jordan, Mackenzie and Morgan Taylor. Check out his past music on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/eyelidkid or iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

Eyelid Kid’s longtime girlfriend, actress Violett Beane, directed, edited, and starred in the band’s music video, ‘Landscape’. Check out the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePIh56-Dd1M

Eyelid Kid is a rising force in the music industry. With songs written in the forest and performed in the city, Eyelid Kid constructs spiritual adventures through his music. Paul Grant aka Eyelid Kid was born in Austin, Texas and music have always been a part of Eyelid Kid’s life. Some of his first memories are of dancing under the bar light to his father’s Blues tunes. Naturally, Eyelid Kid followed in his father’s footsteps and created a world for himself within music.

Drawn to music’s ability to define, control and alter perception, Eyelid Kid pulls from relationships and experiences in his life to create his music. Sometimes it starts as a drunken voice, or as an instrumental skeleton. No matter the way his music starts, Eyelid Kid takes inspiration from an eclectic group of other great musicians like MGMT, Animal Collective, and even Justin Bieber. Eyelid Kid’s sound is defined as indie pop or as the band puts it, “frosted pop”, but it is much more than that. It awakens powerful feelings that grab you into the experience. His vocals weave in and out of layers of ethereal synthesizer while live drums anchor the music to the here and now. The rhythmic backbone gives shape to the sound and turns what could be another keyboard-pop two-piece into a duo that delivers well-composed electro-alt that is as catchy as it is engaging. Eyelid Kid’s expressions can be felt with every cord.

In addition to music, Eyelid Kid designed the EK Fashion Line that consists of both screen printed and digitally printed designs on high-quality fabrics. The EK Fashion Line is available on http://www.eyelidkid.com. - Occhi Magazine & HiFi Noise