Check out this bonus acoustic track of Owl’s “Alive.”
A bit groovy. A bit mysterious. And more than a bit awesome. This stripped down version of what is obviously a heavy song incorporates strings, guitars and boomy bass.
Appearing on their upcoming album, Things You Can’t See, due out July 28, the song holds up well in this more naked form!
Owl frontman, bassist and producer Chris Wyse shares, "This acoustic version is a reworking of a the track ‘Alive’ that appeared on Owl's self-titled debut. We recorded it a few years back at my old home up on Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. If you’re familiar music lore, you know that Laurel Canyon has so much rock and roll history. I felt like I just was given this song, almost like it wrote itself. It’s a timeless track, especially in its acoustic form with the slightly layered bows and vocal harmonies."
The LA/NYC-based rock band OWL - Chris Wyse (vocals/bass), Jason Achilles Mezilis (guitar), Dan Dinsmore (drums) - is set to release its third album, the propulsive and powerful Things You Can’t See on July 28th via Overit Records. Check out the album teaser here: http://bit.ly/1FXccEe.
Owl frontman, bassist and producer Chris Wyse started writing Things You Can’t See between his tenure as a band member in seminal rock outfit The Cult and his new position as bass player for former lead guitarist and founding member of KISS, Ace Frehley.
Chris played on Frehley’s 2014 solo album Space Invader, which led to him joining the band full time. Chris explains, “The Cult will always be my brothers in rock, and it was an honor to play with such brilliant musicians during our decade together. I now look forward to scorching the earth in The Ace Frehley Band. We’re currently working on an all-covers album due out on eOne Music, which has been a blast. Ace has always been a hero of mine and a big influence - playing with him, Scot Coogan and Richie Scarlet is awesome!" Frehley praises, "Chris is fun to work with and is a great talent. He is by far the best bassist I have worked with."
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Creatively on fire and armed with song ideas for Owl, Chris and the band holed up at Overit Studios in Upstate New York in early 2014 to record the six-track collection. For the first time, the band didn’t work off of completed songs - instead they jammed in the studio, honing and cultivating the music in the moment. This new approach on Things You Can’t See inspired Owl to be bold, experimental, and even more musically ambitious than on their previous two releases. “We’ve evolved to a place where we completely trust each other musically,” shares Chris. “And it really shows in the character and attitude on this record.”
First single, “Who’s Gonna Save You Now,” blares a wall of distortion as Chris delivers an urgently searing and sharp hook, while the title track poses ponderous questions via raw thunderous rhythms and poetic lyricism. “Lake Ego” follows with an immersive soundscape stomper, and “Star Up” offers a strong, hyper-charged sonic catharsis. “Witch’s Familiar” is progressive and heavy through a haze of psychedelia, and “Alive (Acoustic)” closes out the set with lush, soaring melodies amidst a booming bass line.
“We’ve really come into our own as a band with Things You Can’t See,” concludes Dan. “This record is a great, formidable showcase of everything we do best, and we’re very proud of it,” adds Jason. Chris leaves off, “The style we’ve developed is unbridled and unfiltered, as is our message. We stand behind every single note front to back.”
Tour dates:
7/17 New York, NY @ Lucille's Bar & Grill in BB King’s Blues Club
7/18 Saratoga Springs, NY @Putnam Den
7/19 Providence, RI @Aurora Providence
7/21 Los Angeles, CA @Whiskey A Go Go (with Philm featuring Dave Lombardo of Slayer)
7/23 San Jose, CA @Rockbar (with Philm featuring Dave Lombardo of Slayer)
Acoustic Nation is written by Laura B. Whitmore, a music industry marketing veteran, music journalist and editor, who has contributed to Parade.com, Guitar World, and others. She has interviewed hundreds of musicians and hosts the She Rocks Podcast. As the founder of the Women’s International Music Network, she advocates for women in the music industry and produces the annual She Rocks Awards. She is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Positive Grid, making the world safe for guitar exploration everywhere! A guitarist and singer/songwriter, Laura is currently co-writing an album of pop songs that empower and energize girls.
