What are your names?
Corey Mouch, Matt King, Robby MacAskill, and Jordan McVey.
What is the bands name?
90’S KIDS
How did you come up with the bands name?
Millennials, or ‘90’s kids’, are what we consider to be the generation of nostalgia. We grew up in an era where the advent of modern technology hadn’t really happened yet – but now that so much has changed, we look back fondly on growing up in a simpler time. 90’S KIDS represents the generation of nostalgia.
What is your genre of music?
We like to call ourselves Nostalgic Alt-Pop.
Give us a little bio about you.
Founded in 2017 by Corey Mouch, Matt King, and Robby MacAskill at Ohio University, 90’S KIDS is an alt-pop group that combines modern styles with a heavy dose of youthful ’80s and ’90s pop.
The band released its first set of singles between December 2017 and May 2018, culminating in the release of VOLUME ONE, a five song EP which encompasses the band’s first days releasing music.
In August 2018, VOLUME TWO began with a new single, “BAD NEWS!” which marks the beginning of a brand new sound for the band.
90’S KIDS has brought its energetic live show on tour across Ohio and the surrounding areas, performing alongside rising artists such as THE WLDLFE, PUBLIC, Harbour, Phangs, and The Orphan The Poet.
What made you go in to music?
We all started playing music in different manners. Corey and Robby grew up watching music videos every day after elementary school on channels like Fuse, MTV Hits and VH1, and that inspired them to go and learn music themselves.
As for Matt and Jordan, their love for music stemmed from relatives who inspired and guided them toward a path in music.
Are you a signed?
We are not currently signed to a label, but we are a part of IV Quarter Management with a roster of 5 great US bands. It’s been really cool to be involved with that and see things move forward so quickly, given that we have only been a band for 11 months.
Your latest release is out ‘Heartbeat’, tell us more about it.
‘Heartbeat’ is a song about carrying someone with you long after you’ve lost them. It’s about being reminded of them in the small details of everyday life – in the places you used to go together, on your phone, on social media, and more. It’s about “the one that got away,” in a sense.
What was the writing process like?
Corey: ‘Heartbeat’ was really cool in that the lyrics were deeper and more layered than some of our other songs have been. I had a really creative and smooth experience writing these lyrics because it came from the heart. Writing about real, honest experiences is the best way to write a song, and this one means a lot to me for that reason.
What was the recording process like?
Recording ‘Heartbeat’ was awesome because it was extremely collaborative. We had a cool idea and we hit it hard from all angles. We tried so many new, experimental things with this song that weren’t necessarily traditional and we ended up with a song that we are really, really proud of.
What is the message you want listeners to take from the single?
Don’t hide from the way you feel about someone. If you love someone, you’re going to be reminded of them every single day after you let them go. Embrace it, don’t bottle it up.
Describe the single track in two words
Real + Emotional.
What was the naming process like?
Corey: It’s interesting how it came up. The line “I still feel your heartbeat beating” was just a line that stuck in my head when I wrote it. It was after the name was decided upon that all the elements of heartbeat / heart monitor sounds were implemented. The name actually lent itself to the writing and production of the song.
Will we see an Ep or album soon?
We’re kind of bridging the gap between singles and EP’s. Singles are cool because it allows us to release music more often and give each song a lot of attention. For that reason we like to release songs as singles, but under a collective umbrella. We’re currently releasing songs as part of what we’re calling “Volume Two,” so all the singles coming out of it will have a unified feel.
If so what can we expect from it?
Listeners can definitely expect a lot more growth on Volume Two. With Volume One, we had a lot of really fun songs with a retro-pop feel – Adeline and Champagne come to mind. We love those songs, but we’re pushing our sound forward to be a little more experimental, and to be a little bit more introspective and personal with our lyrical content. We’re really excited for people to hear what we’ve been working on.
Do you have any shows or a tour in planning?
We’ve got a few one-offs in the works for our home state, as well as out-of-town shows that haven’t been announced yet. Touring is something we’re actively working on as well. Definitely expect some more details in early 2019!
What else can we expect from you this year?
Lots of really cool stuff is coming. Late 2018 and 2019 will bring tons of new music and visual content too. We’re always working really hard behind the scenes.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Definitely up for collaborating. Working with other people is the best way to foster new musical ideas and create something great.
Do you play any instruments?
I play guitar primarily for this band, but when I’m writing I play keys, and a little bit of bass too. Matt is a big keys guy. Robby plays electric guitar and some keys for 90’s Kids, and outside of that he’s really big into acoustic guitar. Jordan plays drums.
Who are your influences?
We’re big fans of The 1975 and LANY in terms of our overall sound, but lately we’ve been taking influences from a lot of different sources. A lot of more up-and-coming bands like Joan and The WLDLFE are big influences on us, too.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
It usually starts with an instrumental idea, a drum rhythm, or something along those lines. We build off of it naturally from there and the lyrics usually come afterwards. It makes sense to us to write most of the instrumental first because it helps to figure out what lyrical concepts might fit that instrumental vibe.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In 5 years we want 90’S KIDS to be touring full-time, spending our lives doing what we love. This band is so important to us in what it means and what it stands for, and playing shows to give people enjoyment every night would be a dream come true.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
A few of us have office / day jobs that we work hard at every day, so it’s almost like having two full-time jobs between that and 90’S KIDS. Other than that, watching sports together and drinking White Claw are hobbies of ours.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Hmm. That’s an interesting question. I would have to say that answer is different for all of us. For me, it’s probably any of blink-182’s self-titled album from 2003. That album made me want to pursue music.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t get “married” to an idea. Whether it’s a lyric, a riff, a chord progression, or anything musical, don’t get over-attached to it. Trying to force something into a song is never going to yield the best, most natural result. It will hurt the writing process overall if you get too deep into one thought or idea.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
As an artist, write from a place of authenticity. Who are you? What is it like being inside your own headspace? What stories do you have to tell? This is what you should be writing about. If you’re authentic, you’re going to write better music as opposed to trying to fake it.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Shoot your shot.” We are confident guys and we’re not afraid to reach out to people we look up to, whether it’s to try to get on a certain concert bill or to try and get our music posted somewhere. The worst somebody can say is no, so don’t be afraid to reach out to them.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Columbus has a lot of cool spots. We frequent a place called The Goat, it’s got great food and good drinks. We also love hanging around the Short North and Ohio State’s campus. There are so many cool pockets of Columbus to explore, it’s hard to even pinpoint one!
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first?
The Goat in Downtown Columbus. Hands down.
2/ Who do you see first?
The first thing we see when we walk in the door is probably Matt’s dog Braxton. He’s insane.
3/What do you eat first?
Probably Chick Fil-A. It’s a 90’S KIDS staple.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
White Claw, extra clothes, duct tape, guitar strings, and herbal tea.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes! Our handle is the same on pretty much everything – catch us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
