Odonis Odonis started life as some lo-fi noise-makers with a run of good tunes. But for their next trick (that’s album number 2 – due soon) they have taken their sound into a proper studio – with a crate-load of melodies to boot. With the group currently touring the hell out of Europe it seemed like a good time to shoot one of our Call Backs across to main man Dean Tzenos.
Bowlegs: Which album has been a major influence in your life, and why?
Dean: Pixies’ Doolittle is probably my first pick. I can still listen to it and find it interesting and exciting every time. It’s diverse, poppy, arty and aggressive, everything l like in an album.
Bowlegs: What was the last album you bought?
Dean: The Oscillation – Out of Phase
Bowlegs: Which bands have you been listening to this week?
Dean: Mostly bands we’ve heard on tour. Trying to figure out what the scene is like here in UK/EU. Nouveau Velo from Holland have an impressive EP out. Just played with a band called Rank from Lyon that had a great Joy Division vibe, in the best way. Chelsea Wolfe’s latest record, which is amazingly good, as well as Russian Circles, who crush it out live.
Bowlegs: Name an up-and-coming band Bowlegs should look out for?
Dean: Phèdre, Beta Frontiers, Hussy, Hellaluya, Metz, Cartoons, Thighs, Soupcans.
Bowlegs: What was the last gig you went to?
Dean: Hmmm, that we didn’t play… A Place to Bury Strangers opening for The Joy Formidable at Lee’s Palace in Toronto.
Bowlegs: Who is the best band you have ever shared a bill with?
Dean: At this point, Russian Circles and Chelsea Wolfe are in the top spots.
Bowlegs: What was the first gig you ever went to, and who did you go with?
Dean: I saw Radiohead when I was 15 or 16 with my sisters, just as The Bends was about to be released.
Bowlegs: What made you realise that being a musician was the career of choice?
Dean: When working the 9-5 began to crush my soul.
Bowlegs: What is your favourite music documentary?
Dean: This is Spinal Tap.
Bowlegs: What was the last film you saw, and was it any good?
Dean: I saw The Babysitter on the plane on the way over here. Definitely got a few chuckles out of me.
Bowlegs: Name three great books Bowlegs must read?
Dean: The Manual by The Timelords, Super Flat Times by Matthew Derby, God Bless you Dr. Kevorkian by Kurt Vonnegut
Bowlegs: What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Dean: My face .
Bowlegs: Name a song that takes you back to a certain time in your life?
Dean: Stone Roses – I Wanna be Adored
Bowlegs: What is one of your favourite album covers of all time?
Dean: I don’t think I can name one, but the last one I remember really digging was Thee Oh Sees’ Castlemania.
Bowlegs: What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
Dean: Our night in Rouen aka The Ninth Gate. Quote of the night. “Your music is intense… in my ass.”
Bowlegs: Do you think music videos are important and do you like making them?
Dean: Now that social media has taken over, music videos have a new life: people are more likely to post a good video than just a song.
I really enjoy making videos because you can be more experimental and non-linear. With traditional filmmaking, there are more “rules” to follow… unless you’re David Lynch, Michel Gondry, etc.
Bowlegs: Are albums still important or is it more about individual tracks?
Dean:Albums are definitely still important, but it’s probably easier for bands to just get one or two hits these days based on the volume of choice that people have. I’m personally more of an album guy.
Bowlegs: What do you have planned for the next six months?
Dean: Finishing up this tour and getting ready to release our follow up record, Soft Boiled Hard Boiled in the fall. We are also going to try and hit the studio and work on record # 3 over the summer and then back on tour in the fall. Busy year!
Bowlegs: What is on your iPod that you probably shouldn’t admit to?
Dean: Cloud Nothings.
