Interviews: Left Eye Perspective

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Sludge Metal band, Left Eye Perspective from Belgium. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name; you planned it or came out just like that?

Kristof: Finding a band name is never easy. We all know that everyone has to agree. When we started, there were different ideas, but we soon considered Left Eye Perspective to be the best of the bunch. There’s not really some fancy or legendary story behind it; we just thought it sounded cool and, perhaps even more importantly, you can find us quite easily online.

Tony: Like Kristof said, it only took us about half an hour to pick the name. It might look remarkable that we came to an agreement that fast, but as I think about it now, it is just who we are. In all these years we have never argued about something for more than half an hour.

Kristof: Not even when we discussed the best strategy to play roulette? (laughs) 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Kristof: Interesting question! I don’t think that you choose a certain genre; it works the other way around. Anyway, heavy riffs, odd time signatures and different layers have always been present in our music, whether we were playing some sort of post-rock in the early days of metal nowadays. At least for me, metal opens the door to more variety and diversity, so developing in that direction made sense.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Kim: Tony and I played in Nine Degrees Centigrade, but after the band broke up, our drummer Eric wanted to continue and therefore started sourcing a new singer and bass player. That’s how both Kristof and Jelle joined us.

Tony: When Left Eye Perspective started, I was still playing the guitar, but it soon became clear that my heart lay with drumming, while Eric made the switch to the guitar. Unfortunately, Eric decided to leave the band for medical reasons years ago and recently passed away. In any case, we couldn’t have pulled all this off without him!

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Kristof: I listen to Tesseract a lot recently. The contrast between heavy guitars and clean vocals, as well as the atmospheric layers they create, are just amazing. For me, as for them, I could not live without delay and reverb pedals (and Neural DSP plugins) (chuckles).

Jelle: Rage Against The Machine was my favourite band growing up. Nowadays I find Cobra The Impaler one of the most interesting bands to listen to.

Kim: I have many favourites. As long as the music is covered with a well-thought-out melody, an intriguing solo, interesting time changes and even characteristics from other cultures, I’m always open to exploring. Psychonaut is one of my favourite bands, as well as Mastodon of course.

Tony: My musical roots are grounded in Post Rock. If I have to pick one band, it would be Russian Circles as they produce a massive sound. Nevertheless, I also got the Cobra the Impaler virus from Jelle (laughs).

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Kim: Cross-cutting themes taken from our own experiences, which we then turn into a metaphor that resonates with a wide audience. Unfortunately, life is not always a celebration.

Kristof: Indeed, music is a healing force, which allows us to vent about certain things that happen in our lives. Our upcoming album ‘Conundrum’, for instance, is a concept record. It’s about apparent contradictions, such as life and loss or following the mind and the heart. In other words: the conundrum of life. It is a very personal album, which, at least to us, makes the music more exciting.

Tony: Life! Stuff I see, feel and hear every day. As Kristof indicates, music is an outlet to clear the head. I just don’t know how people who don’t play music do this. And if there were other solutions, I don’t think I’d want to know (laughs). 

Kristof: Gardening works for me too, but hey, you don’t want to know (guffaws). 

6. Where was your last gig?

Kim: Rock Cafe in Leuven, together with Tarmak.

7. Where would you like to act?

Jelle: Graspop, Pukkelpop! (2 great festivals in Belgium).

Kristof: Graspop would be awesome!

Kim: As long as there are a bunch of enthusiastic people, I’m satisfied. Alcatraz is nice though (winks).

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Jelle: SLAYER!

Kristof: Ice-T!

Kim: Psychonaut! Cobra the Impaler!

9. Whom not?

Kristof: This is a tricky question! (laughs)

Kim: Any band or artist that gets you out of your comfort zone. You always have to feel the same vibe, otherwise, it won’t work.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Kristof: With good preparation and great confidence in your fellow band members you come a long way!

Tony: The first gigs you play are always frightening, but nowadays it’s just exciting to perform. Here are a few tips: mistakes do happen on stage, but don’t let it get to you; just keep on grooving! Also, drinking a Duvel before a gig helps to calm the nerves.

Kristof: It is said that the colour purple is perfect to feel inner peace. From now on, we could ask for a purple light backstage!? Much healthier, but less fun though (laughs).

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Kristof: Mastodon is without a doubt the glue that holds us together. Apart from making great music over the past two decades, the boys from Atlanta have always reinvented themselves and that’s a source of inspiration. Currently, we are working on a follow-up for our upcoming album ‘Conundrum’ and, although it will still have the L.E.P. label, it will sound a little bit different. In my opinion, reinventing and questioning yourself is key for a band!

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Jelle: Our fans have been pretty civilized so far! (laughs) Other than a playlist or drumstick, no weird requests.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Jelle: Hey fans; get weirder!

Kim: Getting sincere feedback gives so much energy and inspiration! I always love it when fans come for a chat after a show!

14. What do you think of our site?

Kristof: We are an underground band, but you still want to get exposure for your music. We are thus truly grateful that such initiatives exist. Keep on doing what you’re doing, guys!

15. Something to add?

Kim: Time for a beer!

Kristof: In a purple setting!