Interview with Oatmeal Reed of Black TarPoon

April 14, 2021

Interview with Oatmeal Reed of Black TarPoon

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Oatmeal! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Oatmeal Reed: Thank you for having me!

CV: Do you feel that it's still possible for an unknown band today to be plucked out of obscurity and make it to stardom? Can a dedicated core of fans sharing their music make that possible or has the internet and social media changed the game?
OR: The only way any band can make it nowadays is with the help of their core fans...they are the ones who spread the word. It goes hand in hand with the way social media and the internet are...gone are the days of labels picking who gets big. It's all the work ethic of the band and how the fans spread the music...so anyone reading this...we thank you and feel free to tell folks about Black TarPoon. Hahahaha

CV: Do you feel that given the accessibility and social awareness of modern times that a music underground still even exists today as it once did?
OR: I do. We deal with it in the subgenre we play in... I do think though people are more open to underground music now...also there are a lot less gatekeepers trying to hide their music from the populous. We come from the punk scene and back when we were younger, it seemed people wanted to hide their music to feel special.

CV: What do you see as the biggest difference in music and how it is perceived from back say 35 years ago compared to music today? Has both the music and the artist evolved from your point of view?
OR: It seems like anyone with a guitar and computer can put out an album now where back 35 years ago you had to find a studio to record in and figure out how the heck you were going to fund the recording. Hahahaha. I personally love the fact people can literally put out their own records...there is some amazing artist who would never see light of day the old way. As a matter of fact our first EP, Creature from the Black TarPoon and our first full-length, A Macing Graze, were recorded at our house on a computer...we've just recently been using real studios for the last two 7 inch records; Black Out at Muddy Roots and the Thad EP, and our upcoming full-length, Probable Caws. As far as the music evolving...honestly I'm hearing a lot of call back to a 60's and 70's vibe in music production today and I love it.

CV: Do you believe bands and artists who have the biggest impact on fans and other artists are aware that they are or is there more of a tunnel vision sort of process for them keeping them somewhat in the dark? Can influential artists see past their own work to be aware of the ripples they make?
OR: I think the artists who have the biggest impact on fans and other artists don't necessarily know how big of an impact or influence that they are...I've personally spoken to artists who have quite literally saved my life with their art and they are blown away by that fact. I've also known artist who realize how influential they've become and I've seen it go to their heads and watched their art reflect the fact that they don't feel the need to be honest in their passion anymore.

CV: Does music need to be influential to be considered worth listening to in your opinion? Or can music simply be just an enjoyable auditory experience devoid of substance?
OR: Personally for me if there is no substance or truth then I can't enjoy it. I know many people just wanna good beat and pretty words...something to shake their ass to but that doesn't do it for me. I want a story or to feel emotion in the music I listen to.

CV: The world has been rocked by the COVID pandemic. The economy has been sent into a tailspin in its wake, unfortunately. Bands worldwide have been restricted with performing live and some it seems, restricted from earning a living. How has the pandemic affected your band? Are you hopeful that 2021 will see many of the restrictions lifted?
OR: We've had several important shows and festivals canceled and not to mention a couple tours...but as far as money goes, we all have day jobs and that's how we've been able to stay afloat. I would love to be able to get back on the road again in 2021, we sorely miss our musical family…that includes our fans, but unfortunately I don't see the restrictions being lifted this year. I'm thinking probably 2022...but as soon as they're lifted we're hitting the road! We got the Thad EP to tour and our upcoming full-length. But damn...we miss our road family!

CV: What do you feel artists and bands can do right now to stay relevant, especially in an environment, such as the present, where performing in front of a live audience is being restricted? What immediate options do you see available?
OR: Record, make music video, live stream...a lot of bands are working with venues and doing pay live streams. I see that as being the immediate option. But as for Black TarPoon we're going to keep doing free live stream performances, making music videos and working on our animated reality show called "Greetings from Poonlandia" that'll be coming out towards the end of 2021.

CV: As an artist, what have you learned from the events of 2020? Are those lessons learned different for you as a person than as an artist or are they one in the same in your opinion?
OR: The major lesson I've learned as an artist is not to take playing for a live audience for granted. The one thing I thought would never go away was instantly gone. As a person I've learned that I can't wait to hug folks at shows again. Hahahaha

CV: What's next? What can fans expect to see coming in 2021?
OR: We've got our full-length album, Probable Caws, coming out hopefully mid-year. We're going to be doing several music videos to help promote the album. We're going to continue to do live streaming shows and festivals...but the thing I'm most excited about is the animated series. It's a mock reality show based on stories about the band centered around touring and recording the new album. We're using the animated characters that appeared in our "Gloom" video.

CV: Thank you again Oatmeal for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was such a pleasure. I wish you all the best.
OR: Thank you so much for reaching out to us!

Check out Black TarPoon at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacktarpoon

Bandcamp: https://blacktarpoon.bandcamp.com/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.