Music Interview: Eyelid Kid

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.