Interview with O's and the Oculist.

This week I interviewed the band O's and the Oculist. Don't let the unique moniker throw you off. This is a band that everyone needs to hear. Just listening to the small sampling of tunes on their MySpace is a more satisfying experience than most full albums can provide. Seriously, these guys are one of the best new bands out there. While relatively new to the scene, the band members are not. O's and the Oculist features former members of Havalina Rail Co., one of my all time favorite bands. I can't emphasize this enough: give their stuff a listen. You won't regret it. Enjoy the interview, and don't forget to visit O's and the Oculist at the links below.
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Brax: Can you tell me about the name of your band?

O's and the Oculist: It was taken from one of my kid's books: Jim and the Beanstalk. Jim meets up with an old giant who needs glasses, so Jim climbs down the beanstalk and finds "The Oculist" to make him a large pair of reading glasses for the giant. One night, when I read this story, the word had a nice ring to it, so it stuck as the band name.

Brax: Who are the O's?

O's and the Oculist: Ostrich, Octopus, and Ox of course.

Brax: What music project are you currently working on?

O's and the Oculist: Trying to figure out how to play our music (instruments) live. It's a wee bit challenging, but it's been a growing process. There's lots of triggering and computerish stuff that can be difficult to incorporate into a "vibey" show. I'm sure Brax could pull it off, but we humans need to practice a lot.

Brax: What makes your band unique?

O's and the Oculist: Our drummer attended clown school.

Brax: How do you feel about interstellar travel?

O's and the Oculist: If we can maintain a wormhole it seems possible.

Brax: What artists, past or present, have influenced you the most?

O's and the Oculist: Past: Roger Waters. Present (at the moment): Daniel Bejar.

Brax: Star Wars or Star Trek?

O's and the Oculist: For sure Star Wars.

Brax: iPod, CD, Vinyl, or other? Why?

O's and the Oculist: CD. iPod is too trendy. Vinyl is too impractical for my auto. I'm not into play lists. When I buy an album (CD), I listen to it from beginning to end every day for at least two months. That's how I understand music and the artist. Plus, I still enjoy having a physical copy of something that I can read and evaluate from an artistic/visual standpoint.

Brax: What are your favorite bands to play shows with?

O's and the Oculist: We're pretty new to the live music scene, but we like bands that smile on stage.

Brax: What is your opinion of robots?

O's and the Oculist: Underrated. Still waiting for them to get involved in politics.

Brax: Any advice for others trying to “make it” in music?

O's and the Oculist: If "make it" means make money... then give up now while there is still time. If money is not the issue, just be yourself and enjoy the process. It can take a long time to get people to notice but keep at it because there is bound to be someone (out of 6.9 billion people), somewhere, that will appreciate your art, and hopefully if you're lucky they will tell you so.

Brax: Anything else you’d like to add?

O's and the Oculist: D minor is a great key.

Visit O's and the Oculist:
www.myspace.com/oculist
www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheOculist
Tell them Brax sent you!
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Thanks to O's and the Oculist.
Check back next Wednesday for another exciting band interview.

Brax.