Getting to Know… Oaks | Interview 🎤

In the 319^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from the conceptual, instrumental metal band, Oaks.

“Ithink that we do our best to deliver a kind of total immersive experience. It’s a challenge to put the listener in this heavy psyche universe we want it to go.” Totally intriguing, 🎙 Oaks! In response to our first burning question, the conceptual, instrument metal band continues, “It’s maybe easier in [a] live [setting] that’s why we play loud with all those abstract videos during our gigs..” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on the collective’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know…Oaks: Interview No. 319!

For those who may not be familiar with Oaks, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

🎤 Unique? I think that we do our best to deliver a kind of total immersive experience. It’s a challenge to put the listener in this heavy psyche universe we want it to go. It’s maybe easier in [a] live [setting] that’s why we play loud with all those abstract videos during our gigs. So, I don’t know if we’re unique, but we try to be fresh … at least.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Oaks form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

🎤 It’s an ordinary story you know. I know Thibault from the time we were in Strasbourg. Then we moved to Paris and one day, we jammed on materials that Thibault brought me and it was clear that all that stuff deserved to be played in a proper band. Then those songs evolved and some other ones came out. Jam after jam, song after song. That’s how we gave life to Oaks. It’s pretty typical.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

🎤 Our first goal was to play loud and heavy. Then the band evolved and became something more important for us. We played more and finally, we released a record. But the first motivation is clearly playing music together and having a lot of fun in the band.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

🎤 We all have, the three of us, different and complementary influences. We listen a large panel of music. Obviously, it’s a large part of metal but it goes from prog, noise, pop or funk and maybe jazz too. There are too many bands – too many names. It’s difficult to say how a band influence you to play this thing or another one. But it’s clear that our way to play the music is kind a reflect of what we like.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

🎤 You know, we haven’t played a lot of gigs … so we don’t have funny stories yet!! And we are quiet people. We are not so in a room burning explosive rockers attitude. But we don’t know what can happen in the future! Alien abduction, time travel, Oaks for presidents? Everything’s possible in this world I think.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

🎤 We love all our songs. They are all special and deserve to get sanctified as miracles!!

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?  

🎤 At a certain point Thibault is a world destroyer – god’s guru in a really ancient sect. I think Nathan’s created the first portable fryers and I try to be omniscient like Dr. Manhattan but it’s a long way…

Closing out, what is Oaks currently working on, or promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

🎤 Actually, we [are] trying to promote our first record, 💿 Genesis of the Abstract, which was released on September 30, 2022. We played a couple of gigs and booked some others and we always try to be active in creating new tunes. We have already finished some songs and others need to be finished…. but it’s a long process you know.

Follow…Oaks: www.linktr.ee/oaksband

Getting to Know…Oaks: Interview No. 319 [📷: Brent Faulkner, Darkmoon_Art, luis2500gx, The Musical Hype, Oaks, Pixabay, OpenClipart-Vectors]