Burgeoning from the throes of the present day and constantly searching for an earthly Valhalla, Eden Proxy’s maxim is that true delight comes through the throngs and dolor of life. In that philosophy, the expression of the senses and pure emotion are in a way, a show of earthly perfection via imperfection. Thus, composing a melody requires a high level of stimulation of the senses. Be it blissful or tragic, only a truly great song originates from that. Then from there, to perform and/or listen to said song is the act that serves as lifes beauty, such as viewing a master painting or reading a great novel. It is our experience of art and what we absorb from it that brings meaning to life. By proxy, that is eden.
First developed in 2001, under the name “Rive Blue Eyes”, Eden Proxy has seen character changes as the band has evolved over the years. Yet one thing remains a constant: The brilliant song-writing skills and talents of frontman Kelly Kusumoto. Through his vision of sharing life experience through melody, harmony and rhythm, Kusumoto strives to write all his own lyrics and melodies. Aptly putting it, “A painter who replicates other paintings can only be, at the very highest, a “good” painter.
But to be great, you must put your fear aside and brush with the heart, with what’s really inside. You’ll find there’s a lot more than Candy-Coated Pop-Culture garbage that’s fed to you and regurgitated ad nauseam in there than you thought.”
Applying all he has learned through years of observing the great musicians he has surrounded himself with, (others might call that self-taught) Eden Proxy mixes layers of guitars, synthesizers and piano as well as complex yet melodic rhythm section pieces to vocal lines that are seamlessly balanced by profound, witty lyrics and catchy yet advanced melodic and harmonic lines. There is more of a thought process that goes into each song, rather than an overall sound of the band, something Kelly sees as restricting and cage-minded. One track may sound highly influenced by R&B or 60’s Soul and another track from the same album may sound very close to So-Cal Punk Rock. What ties it all together is the philosophy as described by the lyrics of each song he has written as well as that pure and distinguished voice, untainted by tone & pitch effects, prefect in its imperfections.
Currently, the band is writing and rehearsing for its upcoming album “Our Lot Is Not A Lot” in both the live and recording sense. With a release target date of Fall 2011, supporting shows will ultimately follow.
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