OttO
Vector clawed their way out of Detroit’s barracks of aural
analogousness by creating synth-pop that lies somewhere between
The Fixx, The Pretenders, and a Nintendo game. With heavy beats,
power-driven guitars, berserkish synth and slinky vocals, the group
creates a blend of rock, funk, dance and electro that’s half
1984, half 2004.
OttO Vector started out as something of a joke. Keyboardist Mike
Sonic (formerly of the Ideosonics) and guitarist/keyboardist Ginseng
(formerly of Love Machine Blue) wanted to make vacuous electro-techno
that emulated video game music. After a year of working together,
the two added vocalist Reneé’s sultry, torrid voice
to the mix, as well as Jacobe on bass and Willie D. on drums.
The band played their first show in January of this year. After
a hectic string of spring/summer dates, bassist Jacobe left the
band; General Lee took his place. Productive summer months both
on stage and in the studio produced two things for OttO Vector:
an unrivaled live show and an incredible debut, Version 2.0. Ann
Arbor Paper recently spoke with co-founding member Mike Sonic about
the new EP and the band’s current focus.
A2P: What was recording the new record like?
MS: It took a lot longer than any of us expected. Most of the work
comes from Ginseng because he does most of the production. It was
a really long process and we passed the deadline that we’d
set for ourselves.
A2P: What record changed your life, one you wish you wrote?
MS: I would have to say Pink Floyd’s The Wall. That record
actually is the reason why I started playing music in the first
place.
A2P: What is the process for writing music for the band?
MS: Most of the time, Ginseng or I will write something either together
or independently and then we bring it to the band. After that Reneé
will usually write her own lyrics.
A2P: Doesn’t that usually change your original intent or mindset
of the song?
MS: Well, sometimes it does. But most times she’s really good
at just making it her own and getting the same idea.
A2P: Who would you say are OttO Vector’s main influences?
MS: I’d have to say The Cardigans, Blondie, and Super Mario
Brothers
A2P: If you had to describe it, what would you say you guys sound
like?
MS: Generally, I consider it a rock/pop/80s funkness. There’s
always a funk/dance element that comes out, too.
A2P: What is the band shooting to accomplish with the new record
and where did the name Version 2.0 come from?
MS: We’re just trying to get our name out there and trying
to give our fans the best product that we can. As far as the name
goes, we originally released a demo and called it Version 1.0 just
to sort of adhere to the whole electronic/video game theme of our
music. Naturally, when we did studio versions of these songs, we
decided to call it Version 2.0.
A2P: What is your take on Detroit’s music right now?
MS: I think it’s pretty mismatched. There are a lot of bands
that are really great, but there’s also a lot of stuff that
sounds the same so you can never tell when you go to a show what
to expect. But there really is some great stuff coming out of here
right now though.
A2P: What’s is in your player right now?
MS: Stellastar.
A2P: OK, so where did the name OttO Vector come from?
MS: That’s something we’re not allowed to make a comment
on. Next question.
A2P: Did the band start out sounding the way it does now?
MS: Actually, It’s been more of an evolution, so to speak.
Our stuff was really cheesy techno and it’s evolved into more
of a rock/dance sort of thing. It’s become something really
fun; something we all enjoy doing.
A2P: Who has the best hair in the band?
MS: Definitely me. I work the hardest at it.
A2P: What’s the future for OttO Vector?
MS: We’re gonna try and go as high as we can with this. We’re
all really dedicated and we love it, so whatever we can do with
it, I’m sure we’ll all be satisfied.A2P
OttO Vector plays the Blind Pig on October 17th with Hypnogaja and
Denovo. Doors 9:30. 18+ $8, 21+ $5. 208 S. 1st, Ann Arbor.
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