Nostalgically embracing the creative innovations of the past while also contemplatively anticipating the progressive changes of the future is often a powerful key element in crafting enthralling music and inventive performances. The captivating members of the Austin, Texas-based indie-rock band, Daniel Eyes & The Vibes, naturally embody that captivating ability to honor the iconic musicians who have influenced them, while also highlighting cutting-edge and contemporary elements, in their cutting-edge music.

The band’s primary vocalist, songwriter and guitar player, Daniel Eyes, has grippingly been able to celebrate his influences in the rock genre, while also proving his natural ability to infuse his personal exploration into the struggles of contemporary society. The singer’s insightful investigation into how adults balance their achievements and conflicts, in both the past and present, is empoweringly supported by the stunning work of the band’s instrumentalists, including drummer Cruz Crase, bassist Russell Simonson and guitarist Dylan Stephens.

The group recorded their four-song debut EP, ‘Sweet Dreaming,’ at both Church House Studios in Austin and Studio 1916 in Kyle, Texas. The EP was self-produced by Eyes, and had additional production from head engineer, Travis Kennedy, and was mastered by Grammy Award winner, Gavin Lurssen. The ‘Sweet Dreaming’ EP was subsequently released in January.

Besides recording their debut EP, Daniel Eyes & The Vibes continued their growing momentum through intense live shows, and began garnering notoriety for becoming one of Austin’s best emerging bands of the year. They also released the music video for their song, ‘Dessert Cocaine,’ on Texas Monthly, as well as the video for the EP’s title track on Earmilk. The band’s natural ability to generate concise rock and pop songs led them to be named Austin Music Foundation’s Artist of the Month last month.

The band, which is currently touring in and around Austin, before they start performing shows in the Eastern U.S. next month, rightfully garnered more attention when they played at six shows at last month’s SXSW in their home city. While attending the festival, they were voted as the #2 Best New Austin Band and #3 Best Performing Rock Band at the Austin Chronicle Music Awards ceremony.

Eyes generously took the time to participate in Big Picture Media’s SXSW press day on Wednesday, March 16 at The Rooftop Bar on E. 6th Street in Austin. The indie rock singer and guitarist discussed how after he began playing music when he was a child, his personal experiences, including moving to Austin to pursue his passion and turn it into his career, have influenced his lyrics. The songwriter also noted how he enjoyed performing at the acclaimed festival, as it allows musicians and audiences from around the country, who have diverse taste in songs, to celebrate different genres together.

“I started playing the guitar when I was about 10,” Eyes divulged when he began the conversation by discussing how he became interested in pursuing music. “I then wrote my first song when I was 11. So I knew from an early age that I had the bug.” The singer then noted that he continued “writing songs all throughout school as I was growing up. I became more serious about it along the way.” Eyes added that he’s originally “from New York, and after I finished school, I decided to move down here to Texas and put a band together.”

The musician then revealed the approach he takes to writing his own lyrics and music. “A melody usually comes to me first, and then I’ll add lyrics after. Once I have the general format of the song, I’ll bring it to the band, and we’ll hash it out together,” Eyes explained. “We’ll then rehearse it for awhile, until we feel like it’s ready to record. That’s generally the process, but sometimes I’ll write lyrics independently. But it’s very rare that I’ll put a song to lyrics, or vice versa, on my own.”

The majority of the songs that the musician penned for ‘Sweet Dreaming’ were created “about a year after I moved down here to Austin,” Eyes revealed. “I had almost moved back to New York, but I ultimately decided to stay here. The ideas for the songs came to me after I made that decision. So they all have the energy of me trying to figure out my place in Austin, and trying to get my feet off the ground in a new city, as well as the experience of meeting the rest of the band.”

There are several classic singer-songwriters and guitarists who have also left a significant impact on Eyes as a musician. “Guys like James Taylor and Simon & Garfunkel, and the greats of that nature, as well as artists like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix,” have all influenced the up-and-coming indie rock singer-songwriter. Eyes also mentioned that he regularly listens to influential rock bands, like The Rolling Stones, almost every day.

Besides looking to his musical influences for inspiration, Eyes also noted that the experience of living in Austin has informed his performance style with his band. “There’s no shortage of great music here, and that’s amazing. The music is so eclectic,” the singer-songwriter emphasized. “One of the other reasons why I moved here to Austin is because there’s such a rich history of blues and rock here, and that type of music has really influenced me. So I knew that if I could make something happen here, that would be my seal of approval.”

Eyes also explained that he has “so many friends, and know so many bands, here, and they’re all amazing. You pick little things up that everyone does during their live sets, such as sounds that they’re using. You also pick up things from songs that are being played on the radio.” The guitarist also expressed his appreciation for the honky-tonk establishments throughout the city.

Continuing to discuss his admiration for his fellow musicians, Eyes added that he’s admires singer Tamika Jone. “She’s an incredible R&B-soul singer. It would also be great to work with the guys from Spoon,” which is a Texas-based band that focuses on indie pop, punk and classic rock. “There’s no end to the possible collaborations in town. Even if bands step out and get a little national recognition, they always come back and play here, so it’s a really community,” Eyes said as he further shared his admiration for the close-knit feel of the music scene in Austin.

Eyes then described his experience of being an Austin-based musician performing at SXSW as being “interesting. You see people come here from out of town, and in the process, I have learned what SXSW is really about now.” The lead vocalist of the indie rock group also described the festival as being a “national experience. There’s so much different energy running around town, so you want to get your band involved in it. If you can play good shows and get a good response from people who are coming in from out of town, you know that you’re doing the right things,” Eyes explained.

“There’s so much good music in Austin every night of the week. But since there are so many good bands here, it can almost at times feel like a windmill,” the guitarist also revealed. But he emphasized that even with all of the competition, “you always feel supported” by the local music scene in Austin. Playing alongside so many other talented up-and-coming and established musicians in the city, especially during the famed festival, really drives his band’s desire to create visionary and innovative songs that audiences can truly relate to and appreciate.

Watch the official video for Daniel Eyes & The Vibes’ ‘Sweet Dreaming’ and ‘Dessert Cocaine’ below.

Written by: Karen Benardello