Interview with Oceansize
Oceansize have constructed towering soundscapes in the past, but their newest album “Frames” clearly shows the band at a new peak. Apparently knowing no limit has it’s advantages. Frontman Mike Vennart sits down with The Mughead Review to talk about it.
The Mughead Review: Thanks for talking with us Mike. Your new album “Frames” is truly your best work to date, you guys must be feeling pretty good about it.
Mike Vennart: Yes. We put a lot of time into the record, and letting it go out and feeling the good vibes around it has been most satisfying. “Frames” seemed to have come together much easier than “Everyone Into Position”. Certainly there was a healthy amount of tension and uncertainty, but nothing to knock the underlying confidence out of us.
TMR: I would love to see you guys play live soon. Any plans for a US Tour?
Mike Vennart: We’re just waiting for the opportunity. Maybe a good support tour. We blew a bunch of money a few years back playing to empty rooms all over America, supporting Mclusky. Rarely does a day go by when someone doesn’t ask us ‘hey, when you guys coming over to America?”.
TMR: Oceansize started out with lofty goals, creating a towering sound that mesmerizes people with it’s size and power. As a music lover I want to thank you for doing that. In my opinion, too many groups settle for less. Does making complicated layered music with songs sometimes over eight minutes long make the band less accessible to the masses?
Mike Vennart: Thank you. I don’t know. You tell me! I mean, yeah, I’m fully aware of how user-unfriendly our stuff is. I know it’s not for everyone. But it’s all we know how to do. We can’t help but sound how we sound. I’m kind of used to it now.
TMR: It seems like Oceansize always stays true to itself and never goes out there trying to please everyone. I respect you guys for that. So the band has a new bassist and a new label, did that change the bands creative process this time around?
Mike Vennart: Not really. I mean, obviously, when we were without a label or a bassist we were in a bit of a dark place. That was a strange time, feeling like we’d had a limb removed. Steven has kicked our arse, totally. We needed shaking up, he’s really boosted our collective confidence i think. Don’t tell him i said that though.
TMR: Ha ha ha, I wont. What music are you guys listening to right now?
Mike Vennart: dEUS. Dirty projectors. Cardiacs. Battles. Bjork. Shamefaced (mark only). Venecian Snares. Vialka. Verdena. Star Wars soundtrack. ET soundtrack.
TMR: Some great music in there, some I will have to check out. So what do you guys think about the way Radiohead released their new album? Do you think it will have any lasting effect on the industry?
Mike Vennart: Dunno, but i hear the major labels are shitting bricks. Really, Radiohead are a bit of a special case; they don’t need major label marketing to sell records because they are fucking RADIOHEAD. Millions of bands all over the world give their music away for free, yet no-one hears it. So. Fucking. What.
TMR: For sure. So, what’s next for Oceansize? How can the band become even better, bigger and more kick ass than it already is?
Mike Vennart: Dunno. Gigs. Records. Maybe a few beers and smoke in between. Right now i just want my own fucking bed for a few days, then i wanna get back out on tour as soon as possible.
TMR: Well I want to Thank You again for your time and The Mughead Review wishes you continued success. I hope to see you guys live soon and I hope that the new album does really well, it deserves more attention.
Mike Vennart: You’re very kind.
(Check out a few tracks off the new album HERE)
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