Despite a whirlwind of success from their 2008 debut "Reach," Eyes Set To Kill front woman Alexia Rodriguez refuses to let the Phoenix-based group she help create remain stagnant. Surely it would be easy to replicate the creative ideas that made the group’s debut an instant fan favorite, but a true artist will always evolve. With the release of Eyes Set To Kill’s sophomore album, “The World Outside,” Rodriguez is determined to have critics, fans and the industry recognize her growth and maturity as a songwriter and performing artist.
“Our debut album was great, but I feel like we got signed so quickly that we didn't have time to really write everything that I wanted. We were fresh out of high school and on the road playing shows every day and then we jumped straight from the road into the studio. There was no time for the songs to breathe or evolve,” says Eyes Set to Kill’s Alexia Rodriguez. “With this record I just put all the raw emotions I've kept to myself and let them bleed out into the music.”
Like a caterpillar cocooning itself in preparation for the transformation into a butterfly, “The World Outside” shows how Eyes Set To Kill has evolved from their screamo beginnings to powerful songwriters that resonate raw emotion. Written and recorded by the band in Los Angeles, CA with producer Dave Aguilera (ex-Otep, Bleed the Dream) and mixed by Thom Flowers (The Ataris), the album captures the unrefined intensity that the group’s debut only hinted at.
Lyrically “The World Outside” is like an unguarded look into the heart and mind of Eyes Set to Kill’s front woman Alexia Rodriguez. It’s here that the singer-songwriter shines brightest, offering listeners a front row seat to watch her battle the singer-songwriters darkest demons. Confronting difficult subjects such as her own insecurities, the pain of lost love and dealing with the expectations from fans, Alexia channels it all into the album. The album’s title track confronts her own insecurity of being thrust into the spotlight, while the chilling album closer “Coming Home” is an open letter to her father who abandoned her at an early age.
"There were things that I put into this record that I've never told anyone before, not even my sister or some of my best friends,” recants Alexia. “Writing was like therapy to me, because there are times when I feel so alone that I don't know to express myself other than through music. This is who I am and what I do.”
Formed in 2005 by sisters Alexia and Anissa Rodriguez, Eyes Set to Kill – which also features vocalist/keyboardist Brandon Anderson, second guitarist Greg Kerwin and drummer Caleb Clifton - has accomplished more in four short years than most bands do in an entire career. From their humble beginnings touring the country playing shows they booked through MySpace to becoming one of the most popular artists at Hot Topic and online retailer Smartpunk.com, Eyes Set To Kill has made a powerful lasting impact on their fans.
After signing with California based BreakSilence recordings in 2007, the group released their debut full-length “Reach”, and Eyes Set To Kill quickly surpassed their peers on the music industry totem pole and never looked back. The group’s album debuted at #29 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Charts and #77 on Billboard’s Independent Music charts, while the band wasted no time taking to the road with everyone from Drop Dead Gorgeous to BrokeNCYDE, Gwen Stacey and Before Their Eyes.
“The World Outside” showcases a growth and maturity usually reserved for artists in the prime of their career. Eyes Set To Kill has managed to craft an album devoid of trends or gimmicks, while leaving a lasting impression on each and every listener.
Band Members
Alexia, Brandon, Anissa, Greg, and Caleb
Website
