Previously armed with just a guitar, harmonica, and tambourine, acoustic artist Owen Pye now has a full-fledged army of friends behind him, adding electric guitar, bass, keys and drums to his arsenal. But don’t worry, they’re not out to pillage and plunder your village, they’re just Owen Pye and the Sunday School Band.
The Highland, IL native has made great strides since his 2005 debut, having played over 200 shows across the nation, releasing full length If That’s Cool With You, EP Looking Up and his most recent release: the full length album Owen Pye and the Sunday School Band.
The now five-piece band released the album in December of 2009 and is described by Pye as having a concept that is open for interpretation by the listener, and said “To me, I’m sharing stories of my story thus far through music, relationships, struggles, faith and doubt.” Produced by Andrew Osenga (The Normals, Caedmon’s Call) at Sputnik Sound in Nashville, TN, the album is Pye’s first “legit” studio experience.
We found the 8-track album to be an impressive progression, not merely just a change or replacement to the solo Owen Pye we know and love. With an overall vibe of coming into one’s own that is entirely relatable, Pye spins together lyrics that are honest and revealing, but vague enough to be applied to almost anyone’s personal life. One of his great strengths as a writer comes in his ability to make lyrics come full circle, using repetition without being repetitive, a mirroring technique that shows definite maturity as a musician.
Songs like Re-Creation, and Just a Spark are sure to be crowd pleasers with their very swayable, hum-along-worthy, melodies, and choruses. Wake up has a little more of a country vibe to it, in the vein of Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, which is fitting because Pye’s vocals fall somewhere between Ace Enders and Oberst’s, if Conor had a little less wine …we mean whine.
Our favorites were the simple “I want you back” track Never Wanted This, for its call & answer chorus “I want you and no one else- I can’t be by myself/I want you and no one else- I can’t do this alone” and track 6, I Will Sing. Lyrically simple and vocally minimalist, this song only has one line “I will sing for joy a new song”, but has an awesome instrumental back up behind it. A solid minute of acoustic feeding into shuddery electric, throbbing drums, and ambient sound, it’s definitely a stand out on the record.
Though all but one of the songs seem to follow the formula of‘moderate pace, instrumental/acoustic break, build up, and end with belting vocals’, we didn’t mind the repetition because honestly, if it’s ain’t broke, don’t fix it. One thing we would fix is the song Persistency opening the record, because while it’s a great song in it’s own right, it doesn’t seem quite right as the opener. We probably would have moved The Sunday School Band into the first slot, because the instrumental track seems to say a lot about what this new incarnation is.
Ending track Success was a big hit with us, because this anthem for the local musician hits home and speaks truth in a way that is salty without being angst-y. “Guitar playing my songs on a stage with 25 or 30 new friends who won’t know my name at the end of the night/They spent all their money on the band that played right after me/ they spent all their money on the indie hipster scene”
With a chorus of “For me this is success” it’s a song of maturity and understanding that being the scene and banking off your street cred aren’t what makes you a musician, or happy, and it’s definitely in the same tongue in cheek style of Kevin Devine and Owen. Ending in a great a cappella chorus with the lines “You don’t have to live up to each other’s pre-set standards/You don’t have to keep the burden that you picked up when you grew up” we’d like to applaud Owen Pye for this one.
Visit Owen Pye at:
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Owen took the time to speak with Telegram Sam about music, his plans, and some of his favorite shows, and you can read all about it right here on Reviewisc.com.
Telegram Sam: Who are your top three musical influences?
Owen Pye: I’d have to say Sufjan Stevens, Ben Gibbard and the band Bleach.
T.S: What is the most memorable show you’ve ever played?
O.P: As a solo artist, one my favorite shows I ever played would have to be at Thrio’s in Arkadelphia, AR. This was one of my favorite venues in the whole country. My friend Nick ran the booking there which made it a frequent tour stop through the years. The venue is no more. I miss it very much. It was a 3 story coffee shop/venue that always had a good audience and supporting acts. And they’d always give me a free meal from their menu. I’d almost always order their soup in a bread bowl. Delicious.
T.S: Attended?
O.P: Sufjan Stevens at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis. This was right after his release of Illinois which turned out to be my favorite album. The venue was knocked down to build a casino. Lame.
T.S: What are your musical plans for 2010?
O.P: My goal is to start touring again full-time. I’ve been on somewhat of a hiatus during the writing and recording of this CD. I’d like to play more shows but not for the sake of performing. That’s great and all. But I’d really like to see some friends that I’ve been missing and meet new faces. There’s nothing greater than meeting new people that care about what you’re doing.
T.S: Last 3 albums you listened to?
O.P:
Deas Vail’s “Birds and Cages.”
Mute Math’s “Armistice”
Dr. Manhattan’s “Jam Dreams.”
I’ve listened to other tunes but those are the last 3 albums I’ve listened to all the way through. Each one was fantastic.
T.S: What made you start writing and performing music?
O.P: Honestly, I can’t put my finger on the day I wanted to play guitar. But when I was a senior in high school I knew this was more than a hobby, but a passion that God had put in my life for a reason. Music is so good, because it provides a way to share with people on and off the stage. On the stage: songs and lyrics. Off the stage: stories and conversations that wouldn’t be had if it had not been for the opportunity we had to meet at a show. I’m truly blessed to get to do what I do.
