Success Within Reach: Eyes Set to kill

Standing out front of a door on a cold desert night, I knocked in effort to enter the home of Eyes Set to Kill guitarists Greg Kerwin. The door opened and there awaited a well-mannered young man decked out with countless vibrant tattoos served up with some cutthroat piercings. He lead me through his home to the kitchen where the rest of the band mates (Alexia Rodriquez, Anissa Rodriguez, Brandon Anderson and Caleb Clifton) were hanging out eating pizza and drinking some delicious red wine. Anissa introduced herself , “I’m Alexia” and began to laugh at her funny yet awkward mistake. The two girls are sisters so why not share the same name.

Greg’s mother entered offering the previous goodies and showed us to the living room for a seat on the couch for a thrilling interview with the upcoming band Eyes Set to Kill. The members were keyed up with a Hot Topic photo shoot set the following day, an album release for Reach set on February 19th, a tour to begin in less then three weeks, and a music video they had just finished. They are excited and not at all overwhelmed for what is to come for Eyes Set Kill. This group of twenty some odd year olds are ready to take a hold of the music scene and never look back. Taking advantage of the internet with the fashionably ever growing popular Myspace they have gained an incredible amount of listeners and fans throughout the world. The band spends a lot of time on the site replying to all messages and comments left by fellow myspacers and even book some shows through the site.

Sitting there in the living room it was effortlessly seen that each band member complemented that of the other as do they do within the music they compose. The drummer Caleb Clifton was the funny man out of the bunch. When asked what was his favorite word that began with the letter S he exclaimed, “The Spice Girls!” Everyone giggled, while Alexia seemed to be in her own artsy fartsy world. If she were not doing the whole music shindig, “I would probably go to art school.” She definitely was a shy one, and without a doubt expressed herself the best through music. At a mere age of 20 years old Miss Alexia is the lyricist, singer, and lead guitarist of Eyes Set to Kill. Her sister Annisa Rodriguez who is the bass player for the band is a year younger and actually had to finish high school online to do three countrywide tours in one year.

The band has been touring around in a van for the past year and had to actually take a seat out to accommodate them all comfortably into the van. Kerwin said “ we park at wal-mart to sleep because they have 24 hour parking and once I had to take a shower in the sink.” Touring can be extremely exhausting and if the band did not find a place to shack up then it was off to Wal-mart. Both Kerwin and Anderson took turns driving the band to and from shows; the others have not made it the MVD yet.

Eyes Set to Kill shared countless stories including Brandon’s love of sushi and the Sun’s Basketball team (both words beginning with S). Funny story, some of them tried to get a job at a local sushi bar, but were declined for the fact that they were only going to be in town for a month because they are leaving on tour in March. The band is extremely dedicated to the band and would drop anything and everything to continue the success of Eyes Set to Kill. Greg commented on the fact that there dedication and will to succeed is what really got them this far. Just like every band you must start somewhere, but if you wan to make it big you have be dedicated and “get a good recording, no one wants to listen to a crappy recording,” said Kerwin who later covered his mouth because he seemed to be answering all the questions. All the band mates were quite the character no wonder their music is so explosive because that is what Eyes Set to Kill is all about! What might that be? A soft sweet voice from shy Alexia Rodriquez, a uniquely melodic drumbeat from funny man Clifton, a mature loud metal guitar from Greg Kerwin, passionate driven screams from Brandon Anderson, and laid back bass playing by Anissa Rodriguez.

For the past year the Eyes Set to Kill has been extremely busy promoting the band, recording and most importantly playing some particularly rad shows. If you have not gotten a chance to hear the band do not worry the album releases February 19th and can be picked up at Zia Records where the band will be in person signing and playing an acoustic set. It’s a two for one deal: grab the album title Reach and get the chance to hear this ridiculous band live.

Kate Nash- Made of Bricks

Think of all those crazy funny things you keep bottled up to yourself, but never say because you think people will think your weird or possibly insane? Not to worry because you’re soon to be new best friend Kate Nash will help you cope with your so-called insanity. Your not weird, your just human. Life happens so fuck it! Have some fun and laugh about the past because as much as we wish we could turn back time, we can’t. Make the bad into good, and if you can’t do it Nash will most certainly be there to assist you with her debut album Made of Bricks. Like she says, “ Birds can fly so high, and they can shit on your head, Yeah they can almost fly into your eye and make you feel so scared. But when you look at them, and you see that they're beautiful.” See there is some good in everything. So next time a bird shits on you, don’t get mad, just remember Ms. Nash and her song Birds. Though that’s not all you will want to remember from this funking awesome album with song titles ranging from Dickhead, Shit Song, or the single Fountains you will make sure to stay close to your stereo to hear every last word and if you miss something I promise you will want to press rewind. Did she just say that? Yes, yes my love she did! Brighton, England’s own Kate Nash is forward as a lyricist and chic as a composer. She pairs her soap filled mouth quite nicely with a sound that gives her music a sassy attitude. 

Emilie Simon- The Flower Book

Emilie Simon's US debut album THE FLOWER BOOK is an intimate sexual explosion. Her delicate French accent is a tease to the disco baring tracks. It is definitely an album to strip down to. Whether your viewers be a boyfriend, husband, audience, or partner make sure to be dressed in your best Victoria Secret lingerie. This album is a definite treat. So get ready for this sophisticated innocence that sends your mind to a Paris trance.

Sounds like: Imogean Heap meets Ratatat

KasKade

Entering the club, above the crowd, surrounded by turntables there stood a man who was to own the night, Ryan Raddon of Kaskade. The music began, he opened with his hot track Here I am off David Morales single Here I am. As the sound filled the club the overflowing crowd at the bar as well as everyone else in the club took center stage at the dance floor. The club was poppin, literally! I mean come on by that time it was half past 11pm and everyone was a tad bit tipsy. After his opening number the dancing did not stop, but of course it was time for another drink or two. After a couple of drinks it was time to hit the dance floor once again and so did the entire club as Kaskade through on the track Everything from his 2004 album titled In the Moment. All through the night Kaskade overpowered the club with his hit tunes and outstanding deejay skills, but what stood out above all was his ability to share a connection between the club goers and himself. With a smirk on his face, this celebrated DJ, conducted the beat that sent the crowd into a full body trance. As the crowd awaited his every move, Raddon was first to mislead the audience; it was if he was telling the club goers, “Yeah that’s right I am Kaskade!” This was not at all perceived has conceited, but simply that Ryan Raddon was a badass. As the night progressed it was clear that Raddon was an astounding DJ as well as a great producer of his own personal work for the ever so popular Kaskade. Kaskade has blown up in the techno house scene and is an essential to every club goers personal music player, but even better Kaskade is a must see performance. It is nice to know that beyond the groundbreaking beats there is something more then just music. To see an artist light up a room because of their presence as well as music is something unexplainable. Its more then just music it’s the passion behind the music and Kaskade has it all!