Interview with the Band Clarence Oddbody (UK)



By Mick Michaels



The Cosmick View: Hello, and welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten Pounder! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!

CV: Describe your definition of the band’s sound and style and how does that definition uniquely describe the music?
Clarence Oddbody: Hi…How yer doing?

I suppose we are like 60’s/70’s Rock with a Hint of Blues/Funk/Motown with a splash of Americana. We listen to a lot of old stuff.

We are just a good honest little tight Rock’n’Roll band that loves playing live. We have a little bit of everything for everyone. At the end of day it’s all about the song. If you come away humming one of our tunes we have done a good job. Our tunes will get in your head!

CV: Today, everyone talks about artist and audience connection. Is such a level of connection actually achievable for an artist and if so, how have you made the connection to your fans?
Clarence Oddbody: We just try and be as honest and humble as can be. You have to earn the trust of the audience and once you have them on your side you build your connection.

I really hate it when you go and see an artist and have zero interactions with the audience not even a thank you between songs. Some artists don’t deserve to be successful.

I find that so rude…people have come out and taken time out of their lives to see you.

Just show people respect they are paying your wage and you are doing something you love...which we do. If you have a laugh and enjoy yourself then the audience will pick up on your vibes.

CV: Is fan interaction an important part of the band’s inner culture?
Clarence Oddbody: 100%...there is no feeling like it when someone loves the gig, and even better when they start quoting one of your songs.

Obviously you have to a bond and more important enjoy yourself.

We rehearsal a lot and in between songs we are just falling about laughing.

CV: Can a band truly interact with its fans and still maintain a level of personal privacy without crossing the line and giving up their “personal space” in your opinion?
Clarence Oddbody: Definitely...and the end of the day, in the showtime/gig environment you are on.

You are the act that people have come to see. You have to give the punters the time of day. If you want to swan around fancy bars & clubs and get uppity about someone asking for an autograph or selfie you are not fit to be in the business. But I am not a super star swanning around in fancy clothes and limos.

CV: Is music, and its value, viewed differently around the world in your opinion?  If so, what do you see as the biggest difference in such multiple views among various cultures?
Clarence Oddbody: I think Music is still an important art form and it doesn’t matter what kind of music you make.

Personally I think music effects all your senses and can touch you on so many levels. You cannot beat hearing live music whether it a good old fashion blues band/Busker or a full orchestra.

CV: Do you feel that a band that has an international appeal, will tend to connect more so to American audiences? Would they be more enticed or intrigued to see the band over indigenous acts because of the foreign flavor?
Clarence Oddbody: If the song is good who cares where the band is from!

Personally I listen to a lot of world music and find whatever the style is they deliver it with loads of passion and feeling.

But I think Clarence have definitely got international appeal.

Also we all grew up listening to more American music than British.

You take The Beatles I really think they are influenced by American music because that’s all they listened to…they didn’t really have UK artist to look up to before they were famous.

CV: Has modern-day digital technology made everyone an artist on some level in your opinion? Have the actual lines of what really is an artist been blurred?
Clarence Oddbody: On one hand it’s great because you can record something in your bedroom and release it straight away. But I think everything has been over saturated now, so it’s hard to find good music. Also, I really think the album is dying out which is a crying shame.

Long gone are the days where bands spent ages on the order of the tracks. People don’t sit down I listen to an album back to back looking at the artwork, reading the lyrics and just getting lost in the whole package. God I sound like a dinosaur…back in my day….

But I have well over 2300 vinyl records so I have vinyl nights in and long weekends getting lost in the sound of vinyl and the that warm crackly sound. But we have spent time & love organizing the track order...we are old school.


CV: How would you describe the difference between an artist who follows trends and original artist?
Clarence Oddbody: Just because someone is ‘original’ in starting a new trend, doesn’t mean that they’ve even scratched the surface on what can become of it! Artists who choose to expand on so-called original trends are as much trendsetters themselves, as the original person!

CV: Has music overall been splintered into too many sub-genres in an effort to appease fan tastes in your opinion? And has such fan appeasements, in actuality, weakened music’s impact as a whole by dividing audiences?
Clarence Oddbody: A lot of Artists cater to the masses. Not everyone wants to listen to 10 genres.

We don’t see a problem with having niche sub genres, but equally, creating endless amounts for the sake of it causes more problems than it solves. Artists should just produce what they want to produce, and the right fans will eventually find it. At the end of the day you should just stay true to yourself and explore different styles, not everyone is going to love everything you do, even the hardcore fans will always have a say.

Unfortunately, a lot of people have a short attention span now, they only listen to the first few seconds before skipping to the next track.

I think describing a song as a “grower” is old hat.

CV: What can fans expect to see coming next from you?
Clarence Oddbody: Well we have our big launch on the 7th of July at The Strongrooms in Shoreditch, London. It’s our debut album: “Who Love You? And Who Do You Love? It will be out the 8th of July...on all music platforms, and it means the world to us...we are so proud of it. It’s a proper rollercoaster of tunes...we have put our souls into it.

In September we will be heading round the U.K. for a small tour.

CV: Thanks again for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.
Clarence Oddbody: Nah Thank you…it’s been a blast. Thanks for having us.

 

Check out Clarence Oddbody at:

Official: www.Clarenceoddbody.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7gm38fRVVrrUISfObpUDX9?si=YZLN9UqeSBi6PnCkszSYdQ

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ClarenceOddbodyBand

Facebook: https://facebook.com/clarenceoddbodyband

Bandcamp: https://clarenceoddbody.bandcamp.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZqG9HJzDu8rDGV37iFdwHQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Clarence_Oddbod

 


 Like The Cosmick View on Facebook at:

 
The Cosmick Voice
Music, Talk & Nothing But Business
www.thecosmickvoice.com 
www.anchor.fm/the-cosmick-voice



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.




Pamela Aloia: Author, Energy Healer, Teacher
Spiritual Counseling and Sessions Available
www.pamelaaloia.com




The Cosmick Voice
Music, Talk & Nothing But Business
www.facebook.com/TheCosmickVoice




March Baby Media
Publishing, PR and Promotions
                                                         


Want to see your logo here? Contact The Cosmick View for details and rates. 

Comments

Post a Comment