Naked Face- Steve Silk and Luke House, the Dynamic duo has created an enthralling masterpiece with their latest release- Eyes In Love. The number blends electrifying beats with soulful vocals, leaving us captivated by their bewitching performance. The Duo paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship where trust is broken, leaving them grappling with the reality of pain. We got in conversation with Steve Silk and he answers questions with grace about their creation process.
Sound and It’s Origin
The instrumental arrangement is impressive and dynamic in nature. The pulsing bass creates an intense energy that perfectly complements the emotive vocals. The blend of electronic and soulful elements creates a unique sound that is both danceable and thought-provoking.
Your music has been described as Electro-pop. How did you come up with these sounds, and what artists have influenced your style the most?
While we did not create the electro-pop genre, we believe that our music contains unique elements that set us apart. As a songwriter, I have recently drawn inspiration from the music of Twenty-One Pilots. In terms of playing, I have been influenced by a diverse range of artists and styles, including Metallica and RHCP for guitar, and Coldplay, Queen, and classical music for piano. I was fortunate to receive classical training from a young age, which has helped shape my approach to music. Luke’s influences include James Jameson, Mark Sandman, and Flea for bass playing, as well as Apex Twin and Acid House Bass lines for music production and writing. We are always striving to grow and evolve as musicians, and we are excited to see where our influences take us next.
The Journey of Naked Face and It’s effects
The soundscape on this track is Incredibly personal, rich and dense, really gives you something to sink your teeth into and experience. Every beat flows into the audience feet and sits within their bodies. They have a way of connecting with the listeners beyond just the words. They have the kind of music that imprints itself within one’s body. a perfect concoction for capturing hearts
With all three of your previously released singles reaching #1 on Australia’s Triple J Unearthed chart, what has been the most surprising or exciting moment in your music career so far?
One of the most exciting moments in our career has been the overwhelmingly positive response from listeners around the world. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how our music resonates with people and how much they appreciate our work. We are grateful for the support of our fans and remain committed to producing music that connects with audiences on a deep and meaningful level.
Personal Personified
The personal is personified in this track. If we look beyond the simmering beats there is mounds and mounds of depth. It is folded into every aspect of the song right from the music, to production and to the video.
Can you tell us more about your latest dance-pop single “Eyes in Love”? What inspired the song and the music video and what does the red that pops up in your pictures and video signify?
“Eyes in Love” is a deeply personal song that explores themes of betrayal, addiction, and heartbreak. My inspiration for the song comes from my own experiences in a tumultuous and toxic relationship where I was cheated on, as well as my battle with post-surgical oxycodone addiction which led to an overdose. Unfortunately, the hospital system failed me by prescribing a dose that was too high. For the music video, my father James and I developed the storyboard and story line, as we did in all three previous tracks. We wanted to create a visual interpretation of the song’s lyrics, which are rooted in my life experiences. The video was filmed in a unique art studio that a person had built during COVID Lockdown. The studio’s owner actually lived there, which made it the perfect location for the video.
The colour red used in the music video and in our image is a powerful symbol of my struggles with ADHD and severe anxiety disorders. By choosing to wear the colour red, I am accepting and owning my struggles, which is an artistic representation of how I see myself. This act is a way of turning a challenge into a strength, rather than allowing anxiety and mental health issues to destroy me. Instead, I embrace my struggles and use them as inspiration to create music.
Behind The Scene
The duo has some solid chemistry and it is seen with just how seamlessly fluid the instrumentals are on their tracks. Both Steve and Luke come from different backgrounds but they have found a comfortable and exciting middle ground and it is seen.
As a two-piece band, what’s the dynamic like between you two in the songwriting and recording process?
As a two-piece, our dynamic is solid. We share an unyielding love and passion for music and share the same goals. Luke has been a pivotal member of the band since 2020. Having played all live shows with us since the beginning. Our songs and the songwriting process have been a collaborative effort between my father James and me over a span of many years, dating back to when I was only seven years old. I have been writing all the music for all the tracks. Depending on the song, James and I will write the lyrics and melody and put together the production elements. This process has allowed us to create a sound that is uniquely our own. We take pride in our ability to work together to create music that resonates with our fans.
Universal Music
Eyes In Love has a universal texture to it and this seems to be the case with most of Naked Face’s tracks. They don’t limit themselves to genres either, each song has a life of its own. Creating an audience base that is not limited to just Australia.
Melbourne has a vibrant music scene. How has the city influenced your music, and what are some of your favourite local venues to perform at?
We appreciate Melbourne’s unique music scene and the many talented bands that contribute to it. However, the city and its artists haven’t had a significant impact on our own music. Instead, our sound has been shaped more by US and UK artists. Despite this, we hold great admiration for Melbourne’s music scene. We have had the pleasure of playing at a number of exceptional venues, including The Retreat Hotel, The Tote, The Bergy Seltzer, Lead Beater Hotel, Whole Lotta Love Bar, and Cherry Bar. Regrettably, the pandemic has had a profound impact on live music. We are eager to see the scene return to its former vibrancy. Live shows like they used to be have become increasingly rare, but we remain optimistic for the future.
Red and All It’s Colours
While the audio is a marvelous showcase of talent. I would not be doing justice to the song if I didn’t mention the wonderful imagery in the music video. It starts off with a cool blue that lures you in but leaves an unsettling feeling. It gradually bleeds into red, invoking a move within you.Â
We know that both of you are a team in the recording room, how is it when it comes to the video process? I see that there is a lot of thought and detail that goes into creating your music videos. How does Naked Face plan and allocate responsibilities?
As mentioned above, my father James and I are responsible for the writing, production, and recording of all the songs on our album. Luke is a permanent member of our band and has contributed live bass to several tracks in a recording setting. While these tracks have yet to be released, we’re excited for you to hear Luke’s exceptional bass playing. He played the verse baseline on our recent single “Eyes in Love,” and his talent truly shines through. When it comes to our music videos, James and I are responsible for coming up with ideas and storyboards. However, the actual shooting, directing, and editing are handled by the talented crew at DFC Studios. We rely on their expertise to bring our vision to life and are always impressed by the final product.
Tango of Authenticity
It’s clear that the track that comes from a real place of experience. It’s always interesting when thoughts leave an artist’s body and take form as either poetry, music and story. Naked Face gives us all three in one.
Your latest single deals with some heavy themes, including addiction and struggling relationships. How do you approach incorporating personal experiences into your music? Is there a safety measure/process in place, if so what is it?
When it comes to the creative process behind our music, we don’t take any safety measures. Our music is a true representation of the events that occur in our lives, and we strive to create a non-fictional account of our experiences. As a writer, I believe that it’s important to explore the darker aspects of our thoughts and emotions in order to convey a sense of authenticity in our writing, recording, and singing. By delving into those difficult places, we’re able to create music that is truly expressive and impactful.
The imagery is as powerful as the imagery in Four Good Days. In fact Eyes in Love would also fit incredibly well in it’s playlist. Eyes in Love’ is an exquisite musical masterpiece. Naked Face is certain to make a profound impact on its listeners. Its poignant lyrics and dynamic instrumentation flawlessly combine to offer an unparalleled and emotionally-charged listening experience. With this latest release, Naked Face has truly outdone themselves, establishing their position as artists one must keep an eye out for.