A few weeks ago I shuffled through my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify and stumbled upon a song called, "Three Thirty." I was hooked right then and there. I added it immediately to virtually all of my other playlists and found myself playing it on repeat in the car, while I was working on something or even when I was at the gym! It's the kind of song you throw on for your friends and force them to listen to so that they can know how fantastic it is too. I did a little research on the artists behind the music and reached out to the duo, Eighty Ninety, and asked them what they thought about doing an interview with me. They agreed, and it was an absolute pleasure to talk to them and get a glimpse into what they're about and what we can expect! I know it sounds crazy, but I'm looking forward to a day in the near future when I hear about this amazing duo with their hit songs on the radio, television and maybe at a venue near you and have a fangirl moment for catching an interview with them right before everyone goes wild for their unique and awesome sound!
K: Who are you guys?! Where are you from, ages, how you formed a musical group, basic background about why you’re here today.
8090: We’re brothers (Abner and Harper James) and have played music our whole lives. Eighty Ninety was born a few months ago when we felt like we had a set of songs that we really wanted to share, as well as the opportunity to create them—Harper works out of a small production space in Brooklyn where we make the music.
K: If you could describe your sound/style for people who’ve never heard your music before, what would you describe?
8090: We’ve nicknamed our style “808s and telecasters." Basically that’s our shorthand for more minimal pop productions built on acoustic/organic instruments and electronic sounds, but that always start with a song.
K: Your song, “Three Thirty," is becoming a massive success. How did you come up with the song, and how has the feedback been so far?
8090: To us, “Three Thirty” is about the realization that moments — not the stories we tell ourselves about a relationship (or even about our lives) — last longest and have the most meaning.
The feedback has been great. It’s amazing to hear that “Three Thirty” has resonated with people, and in some cases even helped them through harder times in their lives.
K: A new video is out on Live Nation ones to watch for “Three Thirty,” tell us a little about the video!
8090: We wanted the video for “Three Thirty” to look and feel like the song. To us that meant a combination of more intimate feeling moments — close vocal takes, a lead guitar performance — along with the electronic production elements. We shot “visual samples” that repeat throughout video to mimic the audio samples we created and placed throughout the song. We joke that we wanted it to feel like a VHS tape sent from 2050 to 1983.
K: Do you have any musical idols or influences? Are you both able to play musical instruments?
8090: We write, produce, perform and mix everything together and we definitely have heroes and influences. We love songwriters (Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, Ryan Adams, Brandon Flowers, Noel Gallagher; Mick Jagger is a supremely underrated lyricist) as well as producers — from Ethan John’s more organic approach to Ariel Rechtshaid’s seamless genre blending.
K: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music as a career? Have there been any obstacles or difficulties with your path so far?
8090: We’ve pretty much always wanted to, and are feeling very grateful that music is a part of our lives.
K: What would you say to kids out there that are trying to make it in music or are trying to sing/learn instruments?
8090: We’re just totally obsessed with making music and putting it out there, performing it.
K: What are your top five songs (besides your own!) that you have on shuffle right now?
8090: That’s tough. We actually have a playlist we update all the time on Spotify called “Songs for 3:30 AM/PM”. That playlist kind of answers this question at any given moment—but for the purposes of the interview:
In no particular order:
To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to Be High) - Ryan Adams
Love Me - The 1975
Thinkin Bout You - Frank Ocean
ILYSB - LANY
It’s a Wonderful Life - Sparklehorse
K: What’s on the horizon for fans to look forward to? Any sneak peeks?
8090: We’re releasing our debut EP, Elizabeth, on July 22nd and we’re very, very excited to share the new songs. No sneak peaks yet — but stay tuned! In the meantime, you can check out the video we made for “Three Thirty” here!
K: For any fans that want to follow your music and see what’s coming up next, do you have any social media platforms for fans?
8090: We do!
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1qoHlzn
Instragram: instagram.com/eightyninety8090
Twitter: twitter.com/eighty_ninety_
Facebook: facebook.com/eightyninety8090
Official Site:eightyninety8090.com
