FIVE THINGS: YOUNG PLANET
Whatever else Ace is, it’s a collection of individuals who share a affinity for doing cool shit. It’s easy to see an ad or the design of a room or some art moment and say, Sure: creative. Great. — but the soul of Ace isn’t those few folks that do that sort of stuff. It’s nice to think about them, though: mouse in one hand and wizard wand in the other, creating new human emotions well-lit office space and maybe working on a puzzle with Patti Smith in their spare time.
The truth is: the folks opening a door or mixing a drink at Ace have won Grammys, had solo art shows, and put out records and zines than you can shake a date shake at. They’re culture generators, artists, musicians, poets, philosophers, robot makers and midnight oil-burning entrepreneurs.
Two of our finest on Manhattan Island have been working tougher at the hotel by day and making music together by night (except when they’re making music by day and Ace’n at night) for actual years. Their names are Eibol and Cidida and together they’re Young Planet.
Well, Young Planet just put out a new record called “Snow Ocean” and we thought it was the time to ask some questions, get on the inside of those brains we like so much.
What record got you into making your own music?
Cidida: 2 Pac all eyes on me. I was in the 5th grade and that record sparked my love for rap music. The song “How Do U Want It” on disc 1 made me want to be an MC.
Eibol: For me I would say it was more of "a certain song on a certain mixtape." My friend’s older brother brought home a Silva Sir-Fa tape that had Jeru The Damaja “Come Clean” on it. I remember hearing that beat and the way he sounded over it and thinking I have to figure out how to do that.
What's the origin story of "Snow Ocean"? What was the process of creating it?
The title “Snow Ocean” derives from a co-worker turned close friend, her Tibetan name is Gangsto and it translates into Snow Ocean. She's a person who is near and dear to us both and she's inspired us to speak on our past, our present and look forward to our future.
The process of recording “Snow Ocean” was stretched over a couple of months, we would put in 8 hours working at Ace during the day, then head to the studio right after and write and record all night, most times only getting a few hours sleep. During that time we recorded close to 30 songs, 5 of which became “Snow Ocean” and the others to be later released.
How did you become friends?
We met while Interning at Chung King Studios in 2006, quickly bonding over similar backgrounds, musical inspirations and aspirations. This is where we started collaborating and experimenting to lay the foundation of what would later turn into Young Planet.
Cidida: Don’t let anyone diminish your accomplishments.
Eibol: Never put your wishbone where your backbone should be.
Cidida: A good book and a notepad.
Eibol: A handkerchief, Hat and a good pair of headphones.
