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CULTURE MUSIC maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 AUGUST 2019 6 How would you say Eyes to Argus have evolved since you first formed back in 2013? Eyes to Argus started out all those years ago as a casual side project. The band was an outlet for us to explore some of the atmospheric and spacey sounds that we all loved, in conjunc- tion with a ton of other influences. Fast-forward to 2019, and we've got a full-length album out (VEER, 2017), our new single – Microcosm, and a few years of gigging under our belt. It's fair to say that the experiences we've had have made us a different band. We have adopted an approach where sounds and genres are more of a means to an end. We've become a lot more conscious of the way we create narrative in our music. That means knowing when to add layers and when to strip back, or simply be- ing a better judge of what sonic direc- tions are appropriate for any song we write. We are better at sounding like Eyes to Argus now, if that makes sense. In an earlier conversation we've had, you've stated that Microcosm is something of an interim track for the band, which may or may not signal its future direction. What led you to put together a song that seems to serve as a 'bridge' between your past and future, and why did you single it out for the music video treatment? Despite Microcosm being an in- terim track, it still is a track that we feel fully represents us. What we re- ally liked about working on a stand- alone single release is that it gave us the chance to explore sounds and themes that wouldn't really work on an album (at this point in time, at least). So, while Microcosm shows a slightly different side to us, it is very much canon. The time to work on a music video, especially for Microcosm, seemed right. Microcosm is a song that is very much about cult-like person- alities, and the megalomania that is born out of power. Pastor Benito (portrayed by Bran- don Calleja Shaw) represents the self-important, self-obsessed perso- na. After we started talking about the project in October with Francesca Mercieca and Jack Hayter, a few local headlines were made that really vali- Exploring the microcosm Following its screening at the Kinemastik Short Film Festival last weekend, Eyes to Argus' video 'Microcosm' remains one of the more interesting audio- visual releases from local bands of late. TEODOR RELJIC catches up with the experimental prog rock band to discuss the dynamics of the video, and what makes this unique band tick Brandon Calleja Shaw plays Pastor Benito in the video for Eyes to Argus' song 'Microcosm'