But in a world filled of people recording a zillion empty and dumb songs, with their dumb self or with their dumb band — that no one will ever care about — Acevedo is one of the chosen few who's writing pop that has real staying power. Real kids should care, and likely might. That's what lifts him above your average Bandcamp/laptop douche. 

So what's Acevedo hoping?

"I guess there's always that thing at the back of your mind that maybe someday someone will really like your record," he says. "I guess you really are waiting for the one person who could be the right person who could help you out. But I've always played music, I've always recorded music.

"I'm always looking for new music," he continues. "I respect classic music, but there are always new bands out there to get into. I'm really influenced by new sounds and new things that people are doing."

Any plans for a K.I.D.S album?

"We talked about recording a full-length in December or January, so we'll see how things go. K.I.D.S. is still in its early stages," he says, and then he adds, "I like to do things different. I like visual properties on stage. Performance art. That's why Silverghost had the projections. It's fun to do things different. I have some ideas, but for now we're focusing on the sound." 

Despite an in-built hatred of the cold, and that he's feeling real emotional pain, which only helps with the songwriting, Acevedo still believes that the D brings out the best in him. "It's weird," he says. "That's a great thing — to have to struggle for something. It definitely brings more passion to it. A lot of people struggle, have struggled, and that adds to art." Now there's a bit of wisdom from experience, which, of course, always makes for the best pop.

See K.I.D.S at the Lager House on Wednesday, Nov. 23, with Jeecy & the Jungle, Mexican Knives, Gardens and Twine Time, at 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668.

> Email Brett Callwood