Psych Fest Preview: Interview with Odonis Odonis

odonisWe’re less than a week away from the glorious Austin Psych Fest, and with so many bands coming to town, we wanted to give you a glimpse of some of the lesser known acts that should end up on your radar.  We caught up with Odonis Odonis while on tour with Metz.  Below you can read their thoughts on touring, the fest and coming to Austin.  

ATH: You’re currently on tour with Metz, who’ve quickly gained a large following.  How’s life out on the road? How’s the tour, etc.?

Odonis Odonis: Touring is a great opportunity to think on your feet. And yes, the states can be tough to navigate. We’ve been through a few times on our own and typically play to 5 – 30 people on average. Those shows are a challenge because you still have to kill it and have a great time with whoever shows up. We’ve had awesome shows like this in Washington, Baltimore, NY, Philadelphia…

Now, touring with METZ gives us the opportunity to do our thing for more people and that forces us to adapt. So touring can be tough, fun and ever evolving.

ATH: Your tour brings you to Ausin for Psych Fest.  In listening to the EP, there’s so much more to your music than the term “psych.”  Do you align yourself to that genre in any way, or you out to make things your own?

Odonis Odonis: Yes.

ATH:  I guess one thing I’ve noticed is that all your singles, LPs, releases, have a similar aesthetic in the art work.  What’s the goal of that aesthetic? Do you all design things by yourself, or is there someone working on the art for you?

Odonis Odonis: We literally sift though hundreds of submissions and in the end, Dean usually stays up all night and comes up with something great.

ATH:  Do you feel that being from Toronto, it’s hard to break into the US market, musically speaking? Or has the exportation of great Candian music started to bear fruit for you all in terms of a growing audience?

Odonis Odonis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJF4nKjIYWI 

ATH:  There’s a ton of bands playing at Austin Pysch Fest…what are your plans to differentiate yourself from the rest of the acts? How do you plan to win over us fickle Austinites?

Odonis Odonis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zp9mmK5iIY

ATH:  Is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to while coming to Austin, or are you just going to make a quick stop in, then head back on the road.

Odonis Odonis: Tacos/BBQ/Meeting friends at the Springs/Watching great bands

ATH:  Musically speaking, what’s the one thing you’re most proud of as a band or as a musician? Is there a particular song that you secretly think you’ll never top?

Odonis Odonis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ttUWeaeTA

ATH: What’s next for you guys in terms of recording? You seem to hammer things out pretty quickly.

Odonis Odonis: We’ve got another full length, “Hard Boiled/Soft Boiled” coming out soon. We’re always working on new things.

ATH:  Who’s the friendliest member of the band? Who’s the one we should shy away from in person? Can we bring you anything?

Odonis Odonis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti3UL_mVHHI

ATH: What’s the tag line for your band that encompasses everything you’re about in a quick phrase?

Odonis Odonis: Industrial Punk Gaze

Thanks to the band for filling us in while on the road, and thanks to Anton for making the arrangements.

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