Two Erwin natives at center of rising band

Laken Honeycutt and Paul Harris, Erwin natives and graduates of Unicoi County High School, have enjoyed a taste of musical success, touring with their alt-rock/pop-punk band EYECANDY, formed by the duo in 2023.Honeycutt and Harris spoke with The Erwin Record about the band's early stages and plans for the future.Music, she noted, helped her overcome difficulties in her life."I was at one of the lowest points in my life when music became my therapy," Honeycutt said. "One night in downtown Johnson City, I saw a sticker that said 'EYECANDY' and something about it stopped me in my tracks."At that point she told herself she would one day have a band called EYECANDY.Music has always been a part of her life, Honeycutt explained, and she stated singing when she was 5 years old. She said that she comes from a long line of musicians.While attending UCHS, Honeycutt was a part of the bluegrass band. She also performed in musicals, including "Footloose," while a senior.She also gave a shoutout to her theatre teacher, Laura Ann Wright."She pushed me harder than anyone, believed in me when I didn't, and taught me to not let her win," Honeycutt said.Honeycutt credits Wright as the reason she is still making music today.Her bandmate and fellow UCHS alumni also spoke about the band.Harris said that he and his brothers used to jam together in their basement for fun and to impress the ladies."We played in talent shows in high school and eventually teamed up with some of our friends from school to start a band we called My Final Resting Place," Harris said.He and his friends played everywhere they could, living the band life and touring.Harris said life intervened, however, and started pulling his friends in different directions, with his twin and fellow bandmate William getting married.Harris then started his own tech company called TECHMECA but continued to play music full time.When EYECANDY formed in 2023 the band was joined by Gabriel Lowe, a drummer from Atlanta now residing in Johnson City, as well as rhythm guitarist Jakob Jovet from Orlando, Florida, also now a Johnson City resident, and bass player Nicholas Christian of Kingsport.Honeycutt is the lead vocalist for the band and Harris contributes on lead guitar and vocals.Honeycutt described the band's musical influences as being "all over the map." which she feels is what makes them successful."We each bring something different to the table, but somehow it just clicks," Honeycutt said.She liked to compare the band to the raw energy and emotion of other groups like Paramore, No Doubt, Blink-182, Falling in Reverse, The Pretty Reckless and Evanescence."It's messy, honest and real, just like us," Honeycutt said.During the summer months EYECANDY has toured various towns and cities on the East Coast, and have been recording with producer Matt Smile at Audioasis in Bristol, Virginia. Smile is known for his work with artists like Bebe Rexha, Lewis Capaldi, John Legend and Dave Eggar, is helping EYECANDY shape what's poised to be their most compelling material yet.The band has released a new single titled "Cigarette." In addition, they debuted a brand-new music video project with Aiden Shaw of Rhythmical Robot on Sept. 1. The video can be viewed on YouTube.The band will return home to Capone's in Johnson City for a performance on Saturday, Oct. 4. Performing with EYECANDY at Capone's will be The Half That Matters and Harriet RIP Band.The music of EYECANDY streams on all major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Follow the band's social media pages on Facebook at @eyecandytheofficialband and Instagram at https://instagram.com/eyecandytheofficialband. For booking EYECANDY and for promotional materials email eyecandytheofficialband@gmail.com.As always, I encourage everyone to support our local artists and musicians.