An Interview with The Eyyes

Having had Beatles on the brain for a while now, specifically the early years of their hysteria-inducing mop tops, I started to think about their early interviews. I looked up some of those early pressers and was taken aback by just how many times the fab foursome was asked about money and marriage, but there were also some gems hidden amongst the clunkers. And so, inspired by the early press conferences of the Beatles, especially their US tour interviews, I decided to ask some of those very same questions to some of the best and brightest making music today.

While they're rather new as a band, the duo behind The Eyyes is no stranger to making good psych noise. Dave Tourtellotte and Magdalene Herring were both members of The Fuzzy Crystals, and now record together as The Eyyes.

Their second single "Sunshiny Day," released just a few weeks ago, is a great soundtrack for our modern day Dystopia. The song has a surreal quality, a sort of slow motion stickiness that feels deceptively soothing. Coupled with slightly ghoulish keys and Magdalene's vocals that resemble a siren song, "Sunshiny Day" is a artful blend of the crush of modern lows with fantastical sonic escapism.

It's a strong statement of intent from this pair, now with Poor Man Records. Read on to get to know Magdalene and Dave a little better, and be sure to keep your watchful eye on this LA twosome. As an added bonus, you should most definitely check out the far out visuals for the song, directed by Steve Dukeheart. 
 
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What has been your most exciting moment in the last year?

Getting our 11th Spotify follower.

Who are your favorite recording artists?

Alice Coltrane, Tito Puente, Weyes Blood, William Onyeabor, Broadcast...among others.

Do you feel safe riding in airplanes?

As long as there are no snakes on the plane.

Does every city look the same?

If your eyyes are closed.

What message are you trying to get across, if any?

Be weird and have fun.

How would you describe yourself in one word?

Denim.

Where would you like to go that you haven't gone yet?

Deep into our mind so we can remedy the transgressions of our past lives - I hear it’s nice this time of year.

Do you feel that you're setting a new trend in music?

Yes, we want our listeners to know it's ok to sit at home and worry about the fate of the world while eating a piece of tear-soaked pizza.

What kinds of guitars do you use?

Old, mid-shelf, and generic. I like Harmonies from the 6os-70s era.

Does anybody ever ask you for advice?

Yes but I find people enjoy asking for advice a lot more than they actually take it.

How do you prefer for your fans to act at your concerts?

No preference - take a nap, knit a sweater, work on your screen play, vape, you do you.

How do you go about writing your songs?

We get drunk on the fermented juices of our mind fruits.

What is one question you would like to be asked that probably nobody has ever asked?

Who let the dogs out?

What do you call your sound?

Sun bleached psychedelic.

Have you ever had a mental block-out on stage?

Yes - every time we are on stage, thanks anxiety.

What are your unfulfilled ambitions?

Truthfully, we want a goat farm filled with baby goats. Only baby goats though.

What advice do you have for teenagers?

Break your phone and automatically ignore anything that comes from a Kardashian. Also, drink more water.

What is the closest you have come to losing life and limb?

Shark attack last year while boating in the LA river.

Do you think of yourself more as an entertainer or a musician, or do you think it's more of a combination of the two?

Musician sans entertainer.

[posted 11.15.19]