Everyone You Know (EYK) - Just For The Times (EP) + 10 Questions
Photo credit: Andrew Whitton
Ones-to-watch sibling duo Everyone You Know (EYK) have today dropped their highly anticipated 13 track EP ‘Just For The Times’ via Sony RCA UK. Alongside the release, EYK have also unveiled their new single ‘There For You’ which showcases the pairs’ signature genre-bending style, combining brooding late night vibes with uplifting piano house production, topped by Rhys’ soulful vocals.
‘Just For The Times’ is a rich embodiment of EYK’s sonic diversity and delves into the pairs’ journey over the last 18-24 months. The project provides a soundtrack to the highs, the lows, the nostalgia and the pent-up energy over lockdown, skewered in pin-sharp rhymes, layered over precision tooled bedroom beats. Listeners are treated to a dynamic body of work from the mutli-faceted duo which includes 8 new tracks alongside fan favourites such as ‘Radio’, ‘Just For The Times’, When The Sun Comes Up’ ‘Higher’, and ‘Charlie’.
Speaking about the release EYK say: "‘Just for the Times’ is not just an “EP” but it’s a representation of the lives we and our loved ones have all lived throughout the past 2 years. It’s a project where we’ve really delved deep, thought about carefully and made as honest as possible. We wanted this project to represent our fans too, something everyone can relate to and connect with. It’s ten tracks of emotions that vary from high to low, hope to hopelessness and joy to sadness. It’s a project we’re really proud of, and can’t wait for you all to hear. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did making it."
EYK sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
RHYS - Music has always been a massive part of our lives. Growing up my parents and step parents always had tunes playing around the house. Whether it was hip-hop, R&B, soul, Motown, house, garage, swing, Rock.. The list is endless. So it was never something that I felt I had to go out of my way to find. Our dad used to DJ and my Uncle Ali (my mums brother) used to MC and produce tunes too. So there was always loads of music around us growing up.
HARVEY - Music was always around me when growing up, but what sparked it for me was using my dads decks for the first time, I’d create little mini mixes and sets when I was about 8 or 9.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
RHYS - There’s so many heads to be honest. 90’s Hip-Hop was one of my first loves, especially the east coast stuff. So working with anyone that came out of that era would be like bucket list stuff (Jay-Z, Nas, Wu Tang etc). I would love to do something with Kanye or a Pharrell/Timbaland too, they have produced some of the greatest records ever. And also Kano, Alex Turner and Mike Skinner would be amazing to work with. As all 3 of them have been a massive influence on our music from a lyrical standpoint. I could keep rambling on about more artists that I would love to work with, but I’ll draw the line there for now.
HARVEY - I’d love to produce an album with/for Travis Scott and Mike Dean, I think that would be incredible. Wondagurl is another one I’d like to work with, her production is just ridiculous and ahead of it’s time.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
RHYS - I don’t think we had any problems at all making music during the pandemic. I think to be honest we actually probably made a lot more music than we normally would have. The main problem, not just for us but for all artists, was not being able to tour. I think the most rewarding thing about being in this position is being able to see first hand how much your music means to people and how it effects them. So yeah not being able to tour and be right amongst it with our fans has been tough.
HARVEY - The main issue is not knowing what songs are being received well and what’s not, obviously you have a rough gauge with social media and what not but without gigs and tours it’s tough to get a true representation of what songs are connecting.
4. How would you describe your sound?
RHYS - I always just say we make honest music. We don’t have one ‘genre’ that we focus on. But we make music that reflects how we and the people around us feel. Whether it’s an upbeat track or something slower and more emotional the music is always honest.
HARVEY - Get asked this all the time and still don’t have the answer. It sounds like our childhoods, what the people around us grew up on and lived through but with our own little take on it. If that makes sense anyway.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
RHYS - The 2019 London headline show was special. We played at Camden Underworld and we could barely get a word out cos the fans were chanting ‘EYK’ for ages. It was a special moment. Being on Fifa is right up there too. That’s like a proper childhood dream/bucket list moment.
HARVEY - Being on FIFA 20, that was so surreal. Having bought that game every single year since FIFA 2003 (the one with Edgar Davids on the front), it was a real bucket list moment for us.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
RHYS - The only thing I can say is, be willing to work harder than anyone and everyone else. Be willing to put the hours in that others won’t. For me it’s all about grafting. If you’re willing to work harder then the people around you, you will eventually succeed.
HARVEY - Just keep grafting, don’t give up no matter what and be consistent, if you work hard and you’re consistent, something magical will come along.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
RHYS - I’m sure you have probably heard of these but, Oliver Malcolm, Sad Night Dynamite, Joy anonymous, Master Peace, Mathilda Homer. All of them are unbelievably talented.
HARVEY - Our good friends at Joy Anonymous have just released their debut project so definitely check that out. Theirs a guy called Lights, got a tune named “Scriptures” proper tune. Then the only other thing I’ve been listening too a lot recently is Donda but I’m guessing you guys know Kanye, haha.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
RHYS - All the classics are always on heavy rotation for me.. Reasonable Doubt, Ready to Die, Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not, Original Pirate Material, Home Sweet Home. I listen to all these albums on the regs. And a load of late 90’s early 2000’s Hip-Hop too. But I’ve also been spinning a lot of Fred Again ‘Actual Life’ recently too. A lot of the time I find it hard to digest and really take in new music while I’m writing and recording our own music, so I always resort back to the classics.
HARVEY - Like I said previously, Donda is in heavy rotation at the moment, Adolescence - Unknown T, Astroworld - Travis Scott is always one I go back too.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
RHYS - My favourite thing in the world to do is spend time with my daughter, without a shadow of a doubt. She’s just my absolute world. I’m also massively into football.. I train a couple times a week and play every Saturday. I love my fitness too. And obviously spending time with friends and family!
HARVEY - I’m big into my golf and fitness at the moment so if I’m not in the studio I’m either on the golf course or down the gym.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
RHYS - To be fair I really ain’t too fussy when it comes to that sort of stuff. I’d back myself to make a tune no matter what. If there’s a bit of natural light in there great, if not let’s crack on. If there is music to be made, let’s make it.
HARVEY - Some coloured LED lights, absolute essential for getting the vibes going, gotta have some plants knocking about as well and a fridge. If you get to a studio and it’s got all those 3, you’re making some serious tunes that day.