THE OWLS

Emerging after a long self-imposed exile of discovery, The Owls stand poised to cement themselves as sonic architects with the release of Kraków, the first cut from their forthcoming EP, Own the Streets. We caught up with Josh to find out what comes next...

MAY 2014

Australia has produced some great Indie bands, over the last decade especially, and the re-emergence of The Owls

Thank you for taking the time to talk to the Rockpit. Tell our readers who may not be familiar with the band what the band stands for in as few words as you can?

We like playing Rock music and we like playing live

How would you describe your sound? ‘Alternative sounds so undescriptive, without placing yourselves in a box give us a few words that express the way you view yourselves?

Heavy guitar driven melodies with a solid drum/bass beat.  

To us your sound has hints of many genres, peppered with a real dose of blues, country and a laid-back west-coast vibe that comes to the fore in the harmonies especially: what do you guys have on the stereo/iPod?

Queens, Kasabian, The Stones, Beatles, Eels, BRMC, BJM.

Where did the name come from? I must admit I had heard of the Chicago band of the same name that just released their second record, were you aware that they were out there and active again?

We were stuck for a name, we sat on it for a while and were getting nowhere. I think  I decided the name after an Owl that sat on my Clothes Line every night. I thought it do at the time and the name has kinda stuck.

No, i knew of a Miniapolis band quite a while ago. I wasn’t aware that they were active again.

You’ve got a reputation as being a great band to get out there and see live, how would you describe the show?

Yeah really good and I think in the last few months it has gotten better. I think we believe more in the new tunes that we are writing. I think we are improving our craft and its  getting exciting for us.

You’ve had a few dates in NSW and VIC recently and there are a few more during April and May in NSW and QLD – how are the shows going down? You are a band that mages to get out there on the road quite a bit.

I think we have always been a band that relies on ourselves. For a band that has never had consistent radio play we have had to get out there and push ourselves. I think every Rock band needs to do that these days.

Is there anything in life that comes close to playing live?

Life? Maybe. But i have not found that yet so i’d have to say It’s up there...

‘Swamp Love’ that came out in 2012 was a classic, but things went rather quiet after that, why the break?

We went from losing a band member to a being 3 piece during Swamp Love. We then gained a new band member and made alterations to who played what instrument So I guess it took a while for all of us to get “used’ to the new Line up...

You re-recorded that record in your own studio after not liking the sound you got with the original producer, do you think you have found your sound now with the new EP ‘Own the Streets’?

I think we just naturally moved to that sound. I think taking on Lachlan Mitchell had some influence but we needed to change.

Krakow the first track from your upcoming EP sounds great – tell us about that song and the video?

I went overseas to Europe and experienced  all it had to offer. In particular Poland really left a mark with me with its history and culture. I remember having a massive night out in a Vodka bar that was built in the 1600’s and really loved being out of my comfort zone in a non English speaking country.

I think the video tried to capture an Urban scene and was an intro into the EP “Own The Streets”   
‘Ocean’ the new track you’ve put out there has some great harmonies and the sound is more complex, is it representative of how the band has evolved and where they are now?

I think so. I really like the time change in this tune and I think its something new that we wanted to try out and probably experiment with future tunes.

Are those two singles the two sides of the band, and is there more still lurking on the EP?

yeah i think so.. I was in 2 different mind spaces when I wrote the lyrics for both tunes. And yes there is more to come, hopefully with the release of a 3rd single.   

How do you write, are you a band that jams or do you all come in with your own ideas?

We are a band that mainly writes together, therefore we try and all have equal say in what goes in or out of a song

What are your plans for the rest of 2014 and beyond?

Keep playing, write more songs and build on always making the next song better than the last

What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?

Definately the line up change. Favorite musical moment so far would be creating this latest EP

With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for real rock music?

Rock n Roll will never die. It will go through ups and downs but it won’t ever leave us so I don’t think we should worry. There are plenty of bands out there, people just need to look around, usually its right under their nose.

Thinking back to your early memories of music, what was it that firs made you decide you needed to be in a Rock and Roll band?

I guess i always Romanticised being in a Rock band as a kid. I always considered the band concept as “Real” music and i had no interest in popstars.

From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?

Work hard, stay true to yourself and expect nothing in return

Can music change the world?

Of course, its the universal language.

If you could have been a ‘Fly on the wall’ for the creation of any great album from any period, just to see how the magic happened and it all came together, what would it have been for you any why?

Hard question, probably Sgt Pepper’s cause day in the life is my favorite song.

What is the meaning of life?

All you need is love….

Catch The Owls live:

Wednesday, 21st of May – Sosueme @ Beach Road Hotel, Bondi, NSW
Friday, 23rd of May - Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, NSW
Saturday, 24th of May - The Bearded Lady, Brisbane, QLD
Friday, 30th of May – The Standard Bowl, Sydney, NSW

http://www.theowlsonline.com
https://www.facebook.com/theowlsonline
http://www.twitter.com/theowlso

Josh spoke to Leslii Phillips May 2014