The Overview - The View from Here
They say that a band that plays together stays together….or is it, couples who pray together, stay together? While we’re on the topic, how about ‘a bit of hard work never hurt anybody?’ Surely that’s bullshit? I have no idea, but I will venture to say that generally bands that have a lengthy history together can have a natural connection that hopefully translates over into their music.
Tasmanian band, The Overview has history. “We have known each other for a long time having met through bands we played in back in school”, Ben () from The Overview explains “we kept creating our own music and found that playing together was a lot of fun.” Losing a drummer was no obstacle either. “Our original drummer left us earlier in the year, but luckily a guy who we know well and who has nice hair was able to join and fill the void. It’s going amazing with him, he really adds something special. But seriously, his hair just smells of Pantene…. all the time!”
Hair sniffing aside, if their influences must be taken into account, The Overview would have a very eclectic sound indeed. The band cites the likes of Coldplay and John Mayer right through to Rage Against The Machine and Mars Volta. “We would describe our music as alternative rock from the heart, filled with blissful melodies. Mainly we bring traditional blues and rock elements and mix it with ambient effects and some modern day alternative rock.” One may wonder if the songwriting process gets convoluted at times with such a broad sphere of influence? “Usually our front man brings along an idea or a completed song and we all add in our own parts and change, rearrange, add bits, and generally just spend a long time working on it as a band. Lately we have been writing the lyrics together as a band also, as we progress we are doing more and more as a band and every member adds in more of their own ideas.”
The Overview isn’t afraid of a bit of ‘Do It Yourself’ mentality either, choosing to release their EP on their own label. “With the internet being such a great way to promote yourself, having the support of an established record label isn’t as important these days. Having said that, it makes it tough financially, and leaves you with a lot of work to do.” Take note kids, being a rock star is not all sexy guitar moves and sniffing cocaine off the backs of attractive women. Speaking of sexy, Tasmania, where The Overview call home, has undergone a resurgence of late, with the music scene thriving like randy bears just out of hibernation. As Ben explains “The Tasmanian music scene is probably as big as its been in a long time, there are lots of changes going on, and a lot of really talented bands and musicians. There are some local promoters too who are helping with this a lot, by finding unrecognized talent and getting them gigs, this is great to see.”
Still think Tasmania is unsexy? Then behold, even more evidence to the contrary straight from the horses, or in this case, Ben’s, mouth. “After a gig at the saloon in Launceston I heard a whole lot of noise outside, so I walked out to see what was going on and found our bass player streaking down the street. A brave thing to do in the early hours of the morning!” See? Sexy.
Bands are like whales….they need the hope that they will be able to snack on endless krill if they are going to be jumping out of the water all the time. The hopes of The Overview are not at all similar to that of a whale. “In six months time we will have released our EP, played a lot more shows locally and hopefully entered some music contests such as Amplified, Music Oz, and hopefully even the Falls Festival playoffs! We also are looking into playing a few shows interstate, and also touring around Tasmania. A big goal is to get some more mainland support slots. So far our aim is to move to Melbourne at some stage over the next two years, we have ambitions to study over there as well as enter into a new music scene which will hopefully raise our status, inspire us to write better music and kick start our musical careers.”
Ben continues, “A big goal of ours is simply for people to get enjoyment out of it. In five years time we hope to be a much more established band, and to have released our debut album, but really who knows what will happen in five years time, we have plenty of goals but are just focusing on where we are at present. Anything could happen.”
