Review Fix Exclusive: Che-Val Talks ‘Gone Mad’ And More

Review Fix chats with husband and wife duo Kenny and Laura Cash, better known as Che-Val, who discuss their new music video “Gone Mad,” as well as how their relationship began. Breaking down their unique pop blend, the Cash family discusses their goals for the future as well.

Review Fix: How did you guys meet?

Laura Cash: I met Kenny when one of my best friends, a guy named Andrae who was a rapper at the time, asked me to record a hook for him at Kenny’s studio. I still remember Andrae’s initial description of Kenny: “he’s this producer who’s like part rocker… but kind of part hippie… but also totally hip hop.” Little did I know that Kenny is actually a total hybrid of every music description, from Funk to Purple Rain… which I discovered the day I met him as he wore his purple Prince T-shirt. When my friend Andrae told me that Kenny was off-limits because he didn’t want me to mess up his business, it just sealed the deal for me.

Review Fix: How have you learned from your previous work and how did it affect the new EP?

Kenny Cash: This answer could go on forever. We learn something through each release, whether it concerns mixing, arrangement, promotion, etc. Each track is its own individual experience.

Laura: For me, working on these songs really helped me to find my own voice. Growing up, I was always the singing chameleon and could imitate Britney Spears or Cher to the letter. But with this EP, I have begun exploring my voice and all its intricacies, which is really exciting to me. And having lots of resources from the Factory Underground Recording studio and working with vocal coaches Ethan Isaac and Robbie Jenkins have helped me to open up and find my sound.

Review Fix: What makes “Gone Mad” a special EP?

Kenny: We were using this EP to not only showcase our own talents, but also the talents and influences of the musicians around us. This allowed us to play with different styles/genres and blend them to create a more unique sound. Whether using the Funky Dawgz Brass band to add funk elements or 80s sax solos, live string arrangements provided by one of Kenny’s students, Ana Lucia Galarza, or a verse from our late friend and talented rapper, Lighta, each song brings the beauty of different genres together.

Review Fix: What’s the standout song on the EP? Is there a story behind it?

Laura: The standout song on the EP for us is a track called Waterproof. Here’s the story behind the song: At my old job, one of my coworkers ended up stealing my work and trying to pass it off as his own. After I confronted him about it, he tried to spread rumors about me and turn my office against me. That’s when I decided to rise above and I told Kenny, “I’m just going to have to write a hit song about this.” And that’s what I did. It’s about letting the lies and rumors slide right off of your sleeve and keeping your head high.

Kenny: Waterproof is a standout track for me because harmonically and melodically, we got to play around with this track the most. On top of that, with the aid of our drummer, Jeff Hatcher, I was able to get my favorite live drum sounds to date.

Review Fix: How does your relationship affect your music?

Laura: Our relationship probably affects my writing the most. I love that awkward moment when Kenny realizes that a song is about him. It definitely keeps us honest and accountable! One of my biggest pet peeves is waiting around for Kenny to get home from the studio (because he never comes home on time). I wrote the song “Love still waiting” about that… well about that and Doritos.

Review Fix: What was it like to put the “Gone Mad” video together?

Laura: For me, it was all dress-up, cosplay, and shopping (Thank you Amazon prime)! For our director, John Shyloski, it was definitely a year’s worth of work in the making.

Kenny: The song is really about losing your way and all the pressures of the music business, like running out of time/money/youth, egos, loss of innocence, etc. It just seemed natural to use Alice in Wonderland, which also deals with all of those themes. When I first approached John, who was relatively new to directing music videos, with the elaborate set up with green screens, mirrors, and special effects, I could see his eyes saying, “You want what?” But he was accommodating, patient, and helpful every step of the way. The whole thing was shot at our studio, The Factory Underground, and it took a lot of work to transform it into a stripped down wonderland with a crazy Gallery filled with green screens to boot.

Review Fix: What are your goals musically?

Kenny: As a production/songwriting team, we would love to continue to write and produce for other artists and help them to develop a sound. We have a full-on music facility named the Factory Underground, which is not only a recording studio and label, but a collective of musicians, producers, engineers, and photographers.

Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone listen to this EP?

Kenny: With all the lengthy answers we gave previously this one is easy: I’d say the Songs.

Laura: Because no matter what genre you are currently listening to, this EP has a song for you.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Laura: We’ve been gradually preparing our live show, but Kenny is very particular about the musicians we choose and making sure that the stage performance looks, sounds, and feels right. We are honing that now as we speak.