Saturday Night Session 014: Oyster Kids refresh listeners in ways they didn’t know they needed with exclusive mix
Few moments are more sacred than the reprieve Saturday night provides from the daily grind of school and work. Its importance is meant to be emphasized, and thus, a feature dedicated to “doing the night right” was born. Saturday Night Sessions are set around energizing mixes meant to get the party started. New or old, each episode has one cornerstone thing in similarity: they serve as the perfect backdrop for the weekend pregame.
It’s seemingly summer all year round for Oyster Kids, whose moodiest tunes have a hint of refreshing optimism shine through the instrumentals and smooth vocals. The LA based music producers and instrumentalists may not be a household name in the electronic music community, but the founder Andrew Eapen’s musical accolades are lengthy, including the fact that he has helped score a Disney movie, and has been featured on shows like “Shameless” and “Jane the Virgin” among others.
Oyster Kids began as a home recording project for multi-instrumentalist Eapen, who writes, records, and produces the music. On tour and in the studio, Eapen (vocals, guitar) is joined by Jonathan Bradley (drums), Robbie Gullage (bass), and Roy Tanaka (keyboards).
When describing why the name Oyster Kids was chosen Eapen notes, “As kids, you have the whole world at your fingertips and nothing to lose. You can be anything, and nothing can hold you back. For me, the name Oyster Kids embodies this ideal. As we all grow older every day, I don’t want to ever forget that wide-eyed feeling that we can do anything we want to do.”
The group is set to release an EP this summer, but that isn’t stopping them from dropping new tracks along the way. “Losing My Mind” is the latest from Oyster Kids, and the new song is the sound one didn’t know they needed in the middle of a gray winter day. Echoing vocals are juxtaposed with strumming guitars, and its sonic warmth transports the listener to a day with friends driving down a country road with the windows open.
When speaking to Eapen about how the Oyster Kids sound is characterized, he answers, “people have described us as: infectious melodies, strong grooves, and a melancholic atmosphere. I can live with that.” The group put together an hour long mix for Saturday Night Sessions, and the vibe of the compilation can be described as just that.
As Eapen puts it, “my mix is all about dancing around the house in your socks, with close friends and some good wine. Centered around chill grooves with an Indie feel. Hope you like it as much as I do!”
_____________________________________________________________________________
What inspired you to start making music?
Creating music has always been an outlet for me to express my emotions and create the moods that I want to feel. When I’m sad, I tend to write more uplifting music – and when I’m happy, I tend to write sadder songs. I started writing when I was 8, and I’ll continue doing it for the rest of my life. Writing music lets me feel a sense of relief from the every day.
Which artists are you drawn to/influenced by?
I like anything that has a strong pop sensibility and a good vibe. Whenever I hear a beautifully written vocal melody, I become an instant fan. The artist I’m obsessed with currently is Sigrid. I looove her vocal melodies!
How would you characterize your sound?
People have described us as: infectious melodies, strong grooves, and a melancholic atmosphere. I can live with that.
Least favorite and favorite electronic music song?
My friends that know me best would agree that my favorite mood is lounging in a pool on a hot summer day, listening to some deep house. For this, I’d recommend anything by Parra For Cuva. On the opposite end, a song that I’ve never understood the allure of is that Kungs Vs. Cookin on 3 Burners track – I don’t know what it is, but its never sat right with me. Oh well, just proves that music is so subjective.
How did you choose the name Oyster Kids? What is the story behind this?
As kids, you have the whole world at your fingertips and nothing to lose. You can be anything, and nothing can hold you back. For me, the name Oyster Kids embodies this ideal. As we all grow older every day, I don’t want to ever forget that wide-eyed feeling that we can do anything we want to do.
Which artist would you most like to collaborate with?
This answer is difficult for me because there are soo many. I love the art of songwriting, and I most respect the people that can tell a story and create a mood really well. Currently, Id love to work with Sigrid, Leon, MO, Kacey Musgraves – the list could go on forever…
What kind of a Saturday Night is your mix getting us ready for?
My mix is all about dancing around the house in your socks, with close friends and some good wine. Centered around chill grooves with an Indie feel. Hope you like it as much as I do!