Eyedress’s Studio Sessions: A Deep Dive into New Sounds

Eyedress Reflects on Creative Journey and Unexpected Success, Collaborations with Chad Hugo

Austin, TX – September 22, 2024 – Filipino-American musician Eyedress, born Jose Vicuña, shared insights into his evolving creative process and career trajectory during a recent performance at teh Moody Center. Reflecting on his journey, Vicuña highlighted key collaborations and the often unpredictable nature of artistic success.

A pivotal aspect of Vicuña’s recent work has been his collaboration with music icon Chad Hugo, known for his work with N.E.R.D. and The Neptunes. Hugo lent his talents to both Vicuña’s Stoner and 2022’s Full Time Lover. Vicuña recounted their initial meeting early in his career,humorously noting Hugo’s initial lack of fanfare. “I was 22, I feel like he was not impressed, funnily enough,” Vicuña shared. A decade later, though, Hugo reached out, expressing his son’s admiration for Vicuña’s music, which paved the way for their creative partnership.

The standout track “The Big City” from Stoner exemplifies this collaboration.The song’s advancement involved a multi-month process, starting with a studio session in Silver Lake to craft the instrumental. Vicuña described a learning experience where Hugo offered critical feedback on an initial vocal take. “I remember I sent him a whole other song to that instrumental, and he was like, ‘I don’t think this is the one.’ And I had a little ego conflict, I was like ‘Am I right or is he right?'” Vicuña ultimately trusted Hugo’s seasoned ear, which has shaped hits for artists like Snoop Dogg and Justin Timberlake. He decided to discard his AutoTune-heavy vocal and re-record a more authentic rendition, aligning with his earlier musical style. “I tried to take myself out of it, and I was like, ‘Maybe he’s right, and I gotta respect that he knows more than me.’ And he was right, he was definitely right.”

Despite his growing ambitions and expanding creative resources, Vicuña remains committed to an uninhibited creative process.His 2019 post-punk track “Jealous,” known for its rapid pace and dark tone, became his most significant commercial success, achieving triple platinum status last year. Vicuña reflected on the circumstances surrounding its creation: “When I made ‘Jealous,’ I feel like I was going through hell. That was a shitty time for me, it was the doldrums. It’s hard to exist sometimes.” He expressed surprise at the song’s widespread appeal, notably among younger audiences. “It’s crazy how that one connected, especially, like, young kids were playing it. I was like, ‘You guys feel this way? I did not feel that way when I was young.'”

This unpredictable commercial success has gifted Vicuña creative leeway, allowing him to continuously experiment and gauge listener reception. “I’m just super grateful, y’know? A lot of good things have come my way as of the music, so I’ve just been trying to stay out of the way and keep making good music.”

Evergreen Insights:

The Value of Collaboration: Working with seasoned professionals like chad Hugo can offer invaluable guidance and push artists beyond their perceived limitations.Trusting the expertise of those with a proven track record is crucial for growth.
Authenticity Over Trend: Vicuña’s pivot on “The Big City” demonstrates that aligning with one’s core artistic voice, even when challenged, can lead to more resonant and ultimately successful outcomes.
Embracing Vulnerability in Art: “Jealous” serves as a powerful reminder that expressing genuine, even difficult, emotions can create profound connections with listeners, sometimes in unexpected ways. The artists who tap into raw, relatable feelings frequently enough achieve the most enduring success.
The Unpredictability of Success: While ambition is crucial, fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged, and being open to how audiences interpret art, can lead to surprising breakthroughs.Gratitude for opportunities allows artists to remain grounded and focused on their craft.

How does Eyedress’s cultural background in the Philippines influence his unique sound and artistic vision?

The Genesis of a Sound: from Cembo to Global Stages

Eyedress, the moniker of idris Villanueva, has been steadily building a dedicated following with his unique blend of lo-fi beats, R&B influences, and indie sensibilities. His origin story,rooted in the cembo district of Makati,philippines,is surprisingly integral to understanding his artistic approach. As Eyedress himself explained to Sarisari Studio, the name “Eyedress” was born from a simple desire to correct constant mispronunciations of his given name, Idris. This early experience with identity and perception seems to subtly inform the introspective nature of his music. Understanding this background provides context for the raw, authentic feel that permeates his studio work.

Deconstructing the Eyedress Production Process

Eyedress’s studio sessions aren’t about pristine perfection; they’re about capturing a mood. He’s known for a distinctly DIY aesthetic, frequently enough handling much of the production himself. This hands-on approach allows for a level of control and experimentation that’s rare in today’s heavily collaborative music landscape.

Here’s a breakdown of key elements in his production style:

Lo-Fi Aesthetics: A deliberate embrace of imperfections – tape hiss, subtle distortion, and slightly off-kilter rhythms – are hallmarks of his sound. This isn’t accidental; it’s a conscious choice to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability.

Sampling & Texture: Eyedress frequently incorporates samples, often drawing from obscure sources, layering them to create rich, textured soundscapes. expect to hear vintage sounds blended with modern electronic elements.

Vocal Processing: His vocals are often treated with subtle effects – reverb, delay, and a touch of chorus – creating a dreamy, atmospheric quality. He avoids overly polished vocal takes, preferring a more natural, conversational delivery.

Beatmaking Foundations: The core of many Eyedress tracks lies in simple, yet effective, beatmaking. He favors understated drum patterns that prioritize groove and feel over technical complexity.

Key Instruments & Software in the Eyedress Toolkit

While Eyedress maintains a degree of secrecy around his exact setup, observations from studio glimpses and interviews suggest a preference for accessible, versatile tools.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): Logic pro X is frequently cited as his primary DAW, offering a balance of power and user-friendliness.

Hardware Samplers: The use of hardware samplers, like the SP-404, is suspected, contributing to the gritty, tactile feel of his productions.

Vintage Synthesizers: While not always prominently featured, the inclusion of vintage synthesizers adds warmth and character to his sound.

Plugins: A reliance on plugins for effects processing – reverb, delay, compression, and EQ – is evident, allowing for precise control over the sonic landscape.

Exploring recent Studio Developments & emerging Sounds

Eyedress’s recent studio sessions hint at a subtle evolution in his sound.While the core elements of lo-fi and R&B remain, there’s a growing emphasis on:

1. Increased Songwriting Complexity: Tracks are becoming more structurally ambitious, incorporating dynamic shifts and unexpected arrangements.
2. Experimentation with Genre: Subtle influences from genres like dream pop and alternative rock are beginning to surface, broadening his sonic palette.
3. Collaborative Ventures: While largely a solo artist, Eyedress has begun to explore collaborations, introducing new perspectives and textures to his music.
4. Live Instrumentation: Integrating more live instrumentation – guitars, bass, and drums – into his productions, adding a layer of organic energy.

The Impact of Location: The Philippines’ Indie Music Scene

Eyedress’s success isn’t happening in a vacuum. He’s a prominent figure in the burgeoning Philippine indie music scene. This vibrant community provides a supportive ecosystem for artists to experiment and push boundaries. The unique cultural context of the Philippines – its rich musical heritage and diverse influences – undoubtedly shapes Eyedress’s artistic vision.The accessibility of music production tools and the rise of online platforms have empowered a new generation of Filipino musicians, and Eyedress is at the forefront of this movement.This scene is fostering a unique sound, blending global trends with local flavors, and gaining international recognition.

Benefits of Understanding Eyedress’s Studio Techniques

For aspiring musicians and producers, dissecting Eyedress’s approach offers several benefits:

Embrace Imperfection: Learn to appreciate the beauty of lo-fi aesthetics and the power of raw, unpolished sounds.

Prioritize Mood & Atmosphere: Focus on creating a specific emotional vibe rather than striving for technical perfection.

Experiment with sampling: Explore the art of sampling and layering to create unique and textured soundscapes.

Develop a DIY Ethos: Don’t be afraid to experiment and create music on your own terms, using the tools you have available.