A Dirty Dozen with ODDFELLAS – August 2019

According to a recent press release: “Pampa, Texas, alternative rockers OddFellas premiere the music video for “Walk On By,” a song from their upcoming self-titled debut EP. OddFellas is set for a worldwide release on September 20, 2019, via Pavement Entertainment. The EP is also available for pre-order and includes “Walk On By.” OddFellas formed in 2017. The emerging band has toured actively since its inception. Some highlights include playing SXSW, Hell & Heaven Fest (Mexico City), Rocklahoma, and Sturgis Buffalo Chip.” We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

There’s a couple of things. On “Walk on By” someone might not realize the first or second listen that lyrically it’s a conversation and argument between a married couple who are in an unhealthy relationship. As far as a hidden nugget, on “Dead” there are tape recordings from all the members of the band playing in the background. There’s also a whispered lyric at the end of the song that we didn’t even realize we kept until we had the track done for several months.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Drake: Nothing made me get into music other than music. It just came natural the second I picked up an instrument. I also have a family full of musicians who helped inspire me as well.

Mason: I never had too many people around me who played music. My grandma played piano but I don’t ever remember her playing often around me. Like Drake, I was drawn to play naturally. I played many different instruments before I decided to be a dedicated drummer, but always knew that was what I wanted in life.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Drake: I guess going to church camps, watching the bands, since those were the first shows I ever saw guided it somewhat. Seeing the bands sharing music. Not only those but I feel every live band or artist I’ve seen has influenced me in some way. The album that helped me learn songwriting was Sister Sweetly by Big Head Todd and The Monsters.

Mason: Definitely every live show I’ve been to has helped influence my style and taste. Seeing as how I knew I wanted to be a performer and musician, I always took notes on every show and what they did to change feelings in me or what they did I thought was cool. Dynamics, crowd engagement, energy, etc. I love that stuff so live shows were huge in my development as a musician.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

We get influence from so many types and genres of music. There’s tons more than just five. Older bands probably Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters. Newer bands – Highly Suspect, Rival Sons, All Them Witches, Red Sun Rising are all great Honorable mentions – Mac Miller, Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Drake: I think I’d like to work with Johnny Stevens from Highly Suspect. His lyrics speak to me and I relate to how he writes. I’m scared to collab with any of my favorite artist though. If Mac Miller was still alive, I’d so much love to work with him. Definitely Post Malone too!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Drake: I’d say we have some pretty Catchy songwriting with a cool psychedelic feel! Feel good music.

Mason: There was an old guy at a gig in Elk City, OK that said we were heavy metal hip hop! That’s was pretty cringe worthy.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Drake: Knowing that what I create could mean something to someone! And when people actually listen to my songs and relate.. it’s pretty cool and helps me know I’m not the only one.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Drake: We’re on the road most of the time, so when we’re home we really don’t hangout much. We’ve cooked a couple times together, each of us think we’re the best cooks of the crew. We do have a Chef that travels with us now and his name is Billy! We all probably drink the same amount of beers, sometimes we go too far sometimes we’re responsible. I’d say I’m the one that always had the acoustic out!

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Drake: We played at a Heaven and Hell festival in Mexico City, seen Jack Black and we completely lost shit.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Drake: Chef

Mason: Meteorologist

Lino: Luthier

Dako: Chef

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Drake: I’m always going to say I wish I would’ve stared a bit younger. But I’m still young and have plenty of time. If there’s any missteps or slow downs it’s because bass players can’t keep up with us. We always move forward no mater what and I believe everything happens for a reason. So no, I don’t regret or want any do overs. I’m here today because of what has happened!

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Mason: Nirvana’s Nevermind is mine, that album played on repeat in my CD player for months. Amazing album, and I’d love to see Kurt in the studio jamming and doing vocals.

Drake: I’d like to go back and be with Mac Miller while he was doing Swimming. That’s by far my favorite album right now. Every word he says hits me in such an easy way! I can relate to to all of his songs. I hate that he was so messed up, but it’s such a masterpiece. I can’t imagine what else he had left in him!

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Category: Interviews