Interviews: Oaks

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Instrumental Metal/Progressive Metal/Post-Metal band, Oaks from France. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

T: Well I always felt that finding a band name is very tricky. You always want to be original, not too cheesy, easy to remember, catchy, etc….

For Oaks we brainstormed a long time and one day, one of us (I don’t remember who) proposed OAK. Of course, it was so common that we start to look for adding something to OAK…. And then I remember that Julien our bass player just says, « let’s put an S ! » And there it is!

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

T: Nothing was calculated at the very beginning. With Julien (the bass player) we wanted to create a band for a while, and the opportunity just popped up. We just create music mixing all styles we like. The idea of being an instrumental band is that telling stories without words is quite an exciting challenge for us. We feel that’s allowed us to express our creativity more freely than with a singer. The visualization of our music is very important for us, that’s why we created a video show and we conceptualized our projects. We worked with Clément Sautet, our video creator, for all our visuals and music video. He is like the fourth member of the band.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

T: Yes Julien and me know each other until 20 years. Nathan is relatively new in the band.

N: They are my childhood friends, whom I met through internet classifieds, 6 months ago...

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

T: Please allow us 3 at a minimum! For me, I would say Pink Floyd, Tool, and Metallica. But it’s very very reductive!

N: My influences will clash with the rest of the band, as I'm the emo. But if I have to keep three, I would say Brand New, Circa Survive, and Nick Cave.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

T: I don’t need to be in a specific mood to write songs. I just grab my guitar and sometimes cool riffs rise! The most difficult work is to create consistent songs and not just to put one riff one after the other.

N: On drums, I try to stick to what the guitar and bass are saying while adding some emotions. Usually, it's anger, frustration, and other very happy things.

6. Where was your last gig? 

T: It was at Les Nautes, a club in Paris, one week before the french Covid lockdown

7. Where would you like to act? 

T: Playing at the Hellfest would be great!

N: Hellfest is indeed a good one. ArcTangent Festival would be amazing too.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

T: I do love the last Russian Circles album « Gnosis ». I would be glad to open for those guys!

N: So many bands and, at the same time, I’d be too scared to be misjudged by other bands’ fanbases. But I’d chosen Nine Inch Nails.

9. Whom not? 

T: I don’t really care with whom I could play (I mean musically not ideologically). 

N: Many stupid metal bands that are « apolitical ». Usually, that means they don’t undertake to be nazi- friendly.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that? 

T: I am totally frightened each time before a show. But as soon as the show starts, the energy of our sound replaces the fear.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

T: We truly put all the different bands we listened to. We do place no limit when we write songs.

N: Some days it’s Nick Cave, but some other days it could be Dua Lipa or Lana Del Rey. Any kind of music could be inspiring.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

T: My 25/50 1978's Gibson Les Paul Custom…

13. What do you think of your fans? 

T: We, first of all, make music for ourselves, but when people enjoy, share or help us, I feel very proud of what we have done all together

14. What do you think of our site?

T: I definitely enjoy your webzine cos you help so many underground bands. Thanks to you our project is more and more alive!!

15. Something to add?

T: Keep on listening and supporting all kinds of bands, famous or indie!

N: Thanks for your support and the opportunity to appear on your website. Hope you enjoyed the album. Please also check our great label Argonauta Records and all the amazing bands Gero helps and promotes !! And of course thanks to BTC for this cool moment!! Cheers!