Based in Austin, Eyelid Kid is an electro-pop band known for imaginative, emotionally-revealing tunes. The quartet is made up by Paul Grant, Morgan Taylor, Sam Jordan and Mckenzie Taylor. Eyelid Kid energizes crowds with passionate live performances and empowering lyrics.
Story by Hayli Rudolph
Photos courtesy of Violett Beane
In October, the band released their self-produced album, Hometown. The album contains nine tracks of self-described “frosting pop,” incorporating inspiration from band favorites like Childish Gambino and Drake.
Lead singer Paul Grant sat down with ORANGE to answer a few questions. Eyelid Kid takes the stage at ORANGE’s 5-1-Tunes Fest. Grab your tickets here for the group’s last performance in Austin for a while before their move to Los Angeles.
How did you get started in music?
I grew up in a pretty musical family, so it was only natural to pick up some of the instruments that were always lying around the house. I’ve been in bands since middle school and learned at a pretty early age that channeling my emotions through music is the only way to keep sane.
What vision did you have for your newest album, Hometown?
Creating Hometown felt like I was getting to know Eyelid Kid and understanding what I wanted to say through it and what that would sound like. The vision was an intuitive feeling of expression that found its way out of me and locked itself into that electro-pop sound.
What is the creative process like when making a new album?
I’d say the creative process was pretty sporadic and spontaneous. It wasn’t like “I’m going to go to work on Hometown from 9 to 5 everyday for six months.” In fact, Hometown was created through several different computers out of several different bedrooms over the course of about two years.
Throughout that time, when I wrote a song that belonged on Hometown, I knew immediately where it would fit. It almost felt like I was piecing together a puzzle I had designed in a past life.
What is your favorite song to perform live and why?
“Fortify” has always been one of my favorite songs live because it feels like the audience is performing it with us. Whenever the chorus hits “I’m down down down again, I’m calling up my friends” it seems like everyone takes a few steps forward, and I can feel their energy lift the music.
You are playing at Antone’s on December 1 for 5-1-Tunes Fest. What does it feel like knowing you’re going to perform where so many big names have been?
It feels very surreal, like a bucket list goal I didn’t even know I had. It also seems very fitting for our last show while living here to be in one of Austin’s most signature venues.
If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Right now, it’d be Bon Iver because I think he is exploring a way of producing that no one ever has. But 1969, Paul McCartney would also be pretty dope. I think we’d create some pretty solid pop with an interesting blend of eras.
What is your favorite onstage experience?
During our album release at Cheer Up Charlies, 15 or so members from the audience stormed the stage and danced along with us to a jam we had made a few days before the show. It’s always an amazing feeling to share the stage with people and empower each other.
