EBEN

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Persistence, perseverance, and passion bring dreams to life. Pushing a formative dream forward with confidence, charisma, and charm, EBEN stretches the boundaries of pop with hip-hop-style cadences, showstopping range, and a whole lot of spirit. At the same time, he speaks straight from the heart, penning unfiltered lyrics akin to confessions you’d only make to a best friend. After putting up nearly 15 million streams and performing to crowds everywhere, the Cincinnati-born and Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, producer, and artist properly introduces himself on his 2020 debut EP for Atlantic Records, Honeydew, and more music to come. “I’m just a Cincinnati kid trying to find his way through life, creating art, and hopefully helping others on their journeys as well,” he says. “I feel like I flipped a switch this year and came into the light. I want to go in an honest direction. I always tried to make everybody else happy. Now, I’m trying to protect the vibe for myself. It’s a new chapter in the book of my life.” He worked diligently to ensure this chapter would be the biggest, boldest, and brightest yet. Following a quiet grind, he dropped a pair of independent EPs—FINALLY and Past Hundred Days—and supported Why Don’t We on the sold-out 8 Letters Tour, which packed arenas and placed him on hallowed stages such as Radio City Music Hall in New York City during 2019. Signing to Atlantic Records in partnership with Signature Entertainment, he served up the single “Plastic Angels” and generated 1.5 million Spotify streams right out of the gate. Along the way, he hunkered down and developed his signature style further. At the same time, he listened to everything from Jim Morrison and The Doors to 070 Shake and Omar Apollo. Deciding to open up lyrically, he dug deep and transformed anxiety and stress into anthems. “I took my time and found out who I am musically,” he explains. “The past two years have been a huge transition period for me. I lived, grew up, and gained experience. I put all of myself into the music. I went to places I didn’t usually go in my head where the real honesty is. It’s been extremely therapeutic. I wrote exactly what I was feeling.” That brings us to the single “Sad Song.” His voice rises and falls with the echoes of ethereal synths and a glitchy beat. Nimbly spun verses slide into the hashtaggable hook, “There’s too many sad songs about you for you to be good for me.” “It’s a new beginning,” he affirms. “You’ve got to move on sometimes. The whole record is about coming to this realization you need to let go and grow. It’s healthy and not negative. I see it as a positive.” “In many ways, it traces my roots and tells the story,” he admits. “Music has taken me on a crazy journey with so many highs and lows. I’ve never been one to give up. It comes down to work ethic. I have no Plan B. This is it. This is my life.” EBEN’s dream is about to come true on the grandest scale possible due to that endless hustle. “I want you to feel the truth behind everything I’m saying,” he leaves off. “I’ve worked so hard to get here, and I’m not going to stop. Hopefully, if you’re listening, you can relate in some way. Maybe this can help you in your next chapter. That would be the greatest thing I could do.”

Where are you from?I’m from the Midwest!

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Cincinnati, about 30 min outside the city. When did you fall in love with music ? I fell in love with music at a young age. I started off singing in my church children’s choir and from there I got the music bug! What was your favorite song when you were growing up? I remember growing up my mom would play Crocodile Rock by Elton John but in high school my favorite band was The 1975. What made you start singing? Music runs in my family so my dad was a huge influence on me when it came to starting my musical journey.

How have you been doing since COVID-19?I’ve been keeping myself busy, working on a lotof new music and staying safe!

Have you been able to create differently given so much isolation? I’ve definitely been a lot more experimental with my music. Been spreading my wings a lot more in that sense.

How do you feel the world is handling it all? I think it’s a beautiful thing that the world as a whole has come together so quickly in a time of such fear and uncertainty. Describe your sound? My sound is a collective of all of my inspirations throughout my life. A mix of pop and hip hop with sprinkles of indie in there.

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Tell us about your music video and what it means to you? “The Kids Are Alright” is a rally cry for the younger generations. We are the ones who will have to inherit what our leaders leave behind. We must stick together for a better tomorrow.

How much of the creative directing do you do with your visuals? I’m very much involved with all of visuals and the creative direction. It’s very important to me to be very hands on with my project.

Are you releasing an album if so tell us about it? My Honeydew EP is the start of a new chapter in my life. I took a lot of time to work on my music and take time to really create what I wanted to create. This is the start of somethingnew.How do you feel about it’s sound compared to your previously released stuff? I love seeing and hearing the growth of this music compared to my past projects. I’m proud of everything I’ve released but I do love that this new music is a bit more mature.

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