10 Questions we ask every band...
Order Of Voices
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1). What are the names of your members?
ASH HOMAR – GUITARS AYNSLEY DICKINSON – DRUMS IAN GAUNT – BASS LEIGH OATES – VOCALS STEFAN BLACKWOOD – GUITARS 2). When did you all get together? Leigh: We got together in 2009, one dark night in Sheffield! 3). How did you all meet? Ash: Well I guess it started when Stef and I started a studio together, we’ve all been in bands for years and so had enough experience and interest to try and set up a studio for ourselves. Whilst testing different recording methods, we decided to knock together some riffs and play with them. Stef: We have a lot of musician friends in Sheffield and the surrounding areas, and many were eager to lend a hand and try throw some bits into the mix. It was then that Ian got involved. He’s played bass in a couple of bands before with Ash and they really work well together. Ash: Yeah, Ian came in and put some bass down to a couple of bits we had floating around. It was then that things started to sound a little more song-like and we three decided to work on it as a bit of a project and write some new stuff. Ian: At that time other bands were in and out recording things, so Ash and Stef really learned how to work the studio, and started producing some really good sounding music. At this time we were still using programmed drums and had no idea about singers. Ash: I emailed Aynsley, who we know from his work in Rise To Addiction, more to see if he knew any available drummers than anything else. We respected him and knew he wouldn’t recommend anyone who wasn’t up to the task. Aynsley: I received the email containing a couple of mp3 demos they’d done, and within the first few phrases I could see the massive potential in their music. I also thought that Leigh would be well into this music and so suggested to the lads that we both came to the studio to jam through some of the tracks. Leigh: That first session worked out better than we all could have imagined, and so ideas and demos were passed backwards and forwards mostly via email until we had four or five song structures down. Then it was straight into the studio. 4). How would you describe your music? Stef: A lot of reviews liken us to A Perfect Circle, Tool, Alice in Chains, Placebo, Soundgarden, Sevendust, Isis (the list goes on!). I think we all understand and are flattered by these interpretations, but to take a different stance, every part/change/melody/vocal line and sound has been scrutinized to the smallest detail to ensure that what was released reflected all of us as best as possible. In short, the sound of Order of Voices is a synergy of the visions of its collective members!! 5). Who are your major influences? Stefan: Personally I’ve been a massive fan of Deftones and Tool for a long time! We’re all fans of music and have very wide and varying tastes, hopefully some of that comes across! Ash: Yeah between us we have a huge range on musical tastes. Rock, ambient, electronic, classical, jazz etc. It's great for writing; we can draw on loads of different styles and approaches without necessarily being influenced by one particular band. I'm sure there's plenty going in there subconsciously that we don't even think about. Leigh: From a vocal point of view I love melody and wanted to weave lots in, I wanted the vocals to be powerful and emotional but also use a large dynamic range, not to show off but to give the songs as much light and shade as possible. Voice wise I have too many influences to even try to list but hopefully I’ve come up with something people will find original and like! 6). Complete the sentence: One day as a band we hope to… Leigh: clear our credit cards. 7). Why should people listen to your music? Leigh: Because I think it will surprise them and could be the best album they’ve heard in a long time from a British band. The reviews, over 100 for the album now have been great, we couldn’t have hoped for better really, when you release an album and ask for reviews it’s a nervous time as you’ve no real idea what people will make of it, it seems we did something right though as the reviews have been great across the board! We were very confident in the album and I think that really helps when you’re trying to push it as you really believe in it, I’ve been in positions before where you’re pushing a product you don’t quite believe in and it’s a little bit uncomfy waiting for the reviews to come in! 8). What are your plans for the upcoming year? Leigh: We’re currently hard at work in the studio on album no. 2 and hope to have an early May release date from the label; this will be backed up with playing live anywhere and everywhere throughout 2012 and towards the end of the year hopefully a remix album. 9). What albums/EP’s have you released so far and where can people get hold of them? Leigh: Our debut album is on sale now! Its available through Code7 in the UK and Suburban Records in Europe, you can also pick it up from our website http://www.orderofvoices.com and of course all the other usual suspects online! 10). Finally – say something profound that will make everyone think: Leigh: The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more! Album no. 2 on the way! J http://www.orderofvoices.com http://www.myspace.com/orderofvoices http://www.facebook.com/orderofvoices |