Who are you and what is your role in the band?
My name is Kevin Daniel and I sing, write and produce alongside Aron.
Hey there! I’m Aron Forbes. I like to hit pads and push faders. Much of what I do in this project is write and produce the songs until we are ready to share them.
How did the band get started?
K: Aron and I have known each other for about 8 years now and this music began to evolve from the desire to create something new that we were equally contributing to and invested in creatively. It quietly grew out of hundreds of song ideas and demos to the point where we realized we had something special on our hands, something we could use as a starting place for the music we can create together.
A: I met Kevin years ago through a producer friend and I was absolutely blown away by his songs at the time. I helped put together a band to perform his new EP and it was a blast. There was so much honesty and genuine passion in his voice and songs I knew we had to do something together. It took a LOT of time and various periods of geographical separation to serve up this initial offering but we couldn’t be happier to share the foundation we plan to build upon.
Who are your influences and how do they play a role in your sound?
K: I listen to a wide range of music and I’m inspired by all of it – from classic songwriters to Top 40 pop to indie and electronic music. Currently I love the cinematic sounds of ODESZA, Bob Moses and their incredible songwriting mixed with electronic influences, and I still go back to favorites like Radiohead, Muse, Jeff Buckley or even 80s synth pop. I spend a lot of time just listening to music and hearing how the layers are all working together. When I start to explore a new idea, I’m never thinking about writing something specific but subconsciously the things I’ve been listening to will often color and shape the ideas in exciting and unexpected ways.
A: I actually grew up listening to nothing that was popular at the time. Hendrix, The Beatles, Earth Wind and Fire and Al Green were some of my favorites. After the fact I went back to fall in love with NIRVANA, 2Pac, Sound Garden, Green Day and so many more. Today I try to listen to entirely new music all the time. Spotify is just such a crazy resource and plays into my relentless ADD. Where Kev and I really see eye-to-eye are bands/artists that can write amazing song and present them with modern sounds and textures. If you take away the production and the song is still amazing that gets me excited.
What has been your most meaningful experience being in this band so far?
K: Easily the friendship and comradery with Aron. He’s a loyal friend who inspires the heck out of me to go for great not good in all things. I admire him in so many ways and feel very fortunate we’re on this creative journey together. Also we share an affinity for tacos and chips and bourbon. We will try any and all chip flavors we can find.
A: A lot of ideas start with a demo or iPhone recording Kevin might text me with nothing but gibberish words. It takes a lot of trust to put stuff like that out there in the world. It doesn’t matter how many successes you have had. When you send a song to a friend, artist or label, it feels like the first time all over again… just hoping the response is good. For Kev to have that trust and give me the freedom to go wild on rewriting, chopping and producing these songs out is just awesome. More or less anything goes and it is a joy to feel free to try whatever comes to mind.
Favorite memory from a show you’ve played or a place you’ve travelled?
K: I had the opportunity to be on a tour in South Korea and beyond just the incredible food and cultural experience, had the chance perform for MTV Korea, an outdoor festival and a live taped performance for Korean television. There were camera’s zooming around everywhere and it was pretty nerve-wracking but such a great experience.
A: I have been very fortunate to play shows all over the world but one of my greatest memories was a trip to the Austrian Alps to “play” a friend’s wedding. We basically drank and ate our way through the mountains on some of the most breathtaking hikes I have ever seen. It is absolutely a bucket list place to visit. As for shows we have played as The Born Love, we haven’t! Haha. Coming soon and can’t wait to share the fun times.
What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
K: I just want to create music we are both proud of. Something that is an authentic expression of who we are individually and collectively. Beyond that, the hope is that our music takes on a greater purpose of creating a few moments of magic for someone else to experience. Whether they’re listening to the song alone with their eyes closed or in the crowd under a sea of lights, swaying to the beat, I hope it transports them to another place. A beautiful escape from the mundane and normalcy of life. That’s what music has always done for me.
A: Again a place Kevin and I really connect. Growing up I had a 40-minute drive to town and all I did was listen to full albums. Put the CD in the car and listen to it until I knew every note of every instrument. It was an escape and I loved every minute of it. People today sometimes underestimate the power of sound and music. It is healing and tragic, joyful and sad. All I ever wanted to do was create a place people could escape because that is what it did for me growing up. When I hear a song that reminds me of the summer nights listening to records with my first girlfriend it is like a time machine! I can tell you what the room smelled like and how the breeze felt blowing throw the open door to the deck. That shit is powerful magic. If I/we can make something that does any of those things for people it would be an honor and true privilege.
Something about you that no one knows?
K: I appeared as a “background” musician on an episode of the TV show Glee. That was my first and last acting experience. Haha.
A: I see better with my left eye than my right, so if I’m looking at you crooked it’s not because I think you are crazy… Or maybe I do and this is all just a grand cover up.
What is next for the band?
K: We’re in the studio now working on new songs and we’re about to start creating our live show as well. We have a lot of new material coming together and already can’t wait to share!
A: Songs Songs Songs. We want to keep people engaged and excited about a steady stream of jams.
Anything else you want to add?
To each and every person who has listened to our music and supported us thus far – you are the early adopters. We see you, we love you and we thank you so much!
