Touring is a grind. Long drives, little sleep, and gruelling schedules. For many musicians and crew, it also means no health care and no vision coverage. That’s why independent brand NEVEN Eyewear has launched Sight for Sound a new initiative providing free glasses - prescription, non-prescription, eyeglasses or sunglasses from their collection of 66 different frame styles, and 6 different lens colors - to U.S.-based touring musicians and crew. No catch. No red tape. Just support from people who’ve lived it.
If you’re a U.S.-based touring or music industry professional and work on 75+ shows per year, you’re eligible. Just head to neveneyewear.com, choose the pair you want, then submit your request via the very simple form HERE. Once approved, you’ll receive your free pair, shipped with no strings, no red tape and zero hassle. Those who meet the criteria but are not US-based can apply for non-prescription glasses or sunglasses but are not eligible for prescription glasses at this time.
The program is created by company founder Jonathan Strauss and Pat Sheridan, one of the founding members and guitarist for Fit For An Autopsy and NEVEN’s Director of Partnerships. Born out of the passion and authenticity of the NJHC scene, NEVEN isn’t a corporate eyewear brand playing dress-up in band shirts. It was built by lifers—for lifers. Strauss and Sheridan grew up in the scene, attending shows and playing in their respective bands, whilst everyone around them hustled to make their dreams a reality with no access to healthcare. Sight for Sound is their way of giving back.
“A lot of people think musicians or people in the industry are living the dream, but what they don’t see is the reality behind the scenes — no health care, no safety net. And when a tour ends, the realities of life kick in fast.:” Says Strauss “We started Sight for Sound because we wanted to change that, even in a small way. This is the least we can do — to support a community that often gets overlooked once the lights go down.”
“Our Sight for Sound program is life-changing for musicians and crew members,” adds Sheridan. “I’ve been in the Extreme Music Scene since the 90s, and vision has never been addressed before. Musicians aren’t offered a 401K plan, health insurance or vision benefits. It’s an honor to save music industry professionals thousands of dollars a year.”
NEVEN eyewear prescriptions are fulfilled in partnership with Robertson Optical Laboratories, the largest independent optical wholesaler in the U.S. and every pair is covered by NEVEN’s Everlast Guarantee: if they’re lost, broken, or stolen, they’ll be replaced—no questions asked.
NEVEN Eyewear embodies the same passion, determination and DIY ethos as the culture that has shaped its founder. Strauss started the brand with his wife, in the bedroom that would become their daughter’s nursery hand packing orders. Since then, NEVEN has grown to a $30 million-a-year brand, shipping millions of pairs of glasses whilst always staying true to its core: make durable, affordable, and good-looking eyewear for real people.
Their frames are inspired by life on the road. Look closely, and you’ll find the brand’s signature three tildes (~~~) etched into every pair, symbolizing air, land, and sea—wherever the road takes you.
“Metal fans can smell bullshit from a mile away,” says Strauss. “NEVEN doesn’t fake it. We’re not some polished, corporate eyewear brand trying to be edgy. We’re real people who built this brand from the ground up, with grit, heart, and a DIY mentality that mirrors the energy of the scene.
With artist collaborations from names like Zach Johnson (The Ghost Inside), Tanner Wayne (In Flames), Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer),Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste), and Phil Sgrosso (Saosin), NEVEN is already a trusted name in the heavy music world. Sight for Sound is their next step in building something even bigger and giving back to the community that shaped them.
ABOUT NEVEN
NEVEN Eyewear was born from a moment of frustration—a lost pair of expensive sunglasses during a jet ski ride—and built with a mission to make high quality, functional and stylish sunglasses, prescription eyewear, blue light glasses and accessories that are both durable and affordable. Customers can choose from, 594 design options within the NEVEN Eyewear collection. The line features 66 different frame styles, and 6 different lens colors: clear, black, brown, coastal blue, rose-pink and silver.
Inspired by the palindrome "Never Odd Or Even," it is based on a mission to encourage customers to explore new horizons, no matter how they get there.” NEVEN Eyewear is based in Melbourne, Florida. Today, they have shipped millions of glasses, their growth being fueled by authenticity and customer loyalty - not hype.
NEVEN blends design, and purpose to serve real people with real lives. Millions of glasses later, the brand remains committed to the same values: no BS, no pretension, and no compromise on quality.
