OK Buddy - Sound In The Signals Interview

📸 @awthesephotos

I recently had the opportunity to interview OK Buddy. We discussed the writing and recording process for new EP ‘Strays’, what they hoped to accomplish with the EP, the story behind the artwork, designing cassettes and CDs, and more. Check it out below.

First, thanks for the interview.

Thank you!

You recently released your new EP ‘Strays’. What was the writing and recording process like for the EP?

First and foremost, a lot of fun. This was the first EP we wrote as a full band, and everyone contributed something. It was very methodical, in that every song serves a purpose. We wanted to write a record, not just write songs and throw them out there.

I really like the opening track “Fall Forward”. It has a cool acoustic intro before the song kicks in. Can you tell me about writing that song specifically?

Like I said, every song has a purpose. The purpose of that one was to be an opener. Something that grabs your attention immediately and then gets people moving. We wanted a song that we can start a set with and just set things off. I love how it goes from this cool bouncy intro and explodes into stage dive city. There's even a cool kind of moshy part at the end. What more could you want?

Sonically, you’re drawing from melodic and heavy elements and the listener can hear some hardcore and pop/punk. What was the sound you were going for with this EP and what albums or artists were some of your influences?

My favorite part of this band is that everyone brings their own flavor to the table. We all have our own unique tastes and they vary quite a bit in some areas, but we all share some sort of common ground. Our main goal for this EP was just to take all of the things we loved from the first one and make them bigger and better.

<a href="https://okbuddy.bandcamp.com/album/strays-2">Strays by OK Buddy</a>

I think the EP is great. How have you felt about the response so far?

It's been incredible. We really built this band from the ground up. We did everything ourselves and no one gave us a golden ticket. We just work with people that we like and play the shows we want to play. It's so fulfilling to see the people who've supported us and helped us get here enjoy and champion this record with us. We're very grateful for all of the support and we're proud of the name we've made for ourselves in our community. My favorite thing is that everyone seems to have their own favorite song. It's not like there's just one banger.

Do you have a favorite lyrical or musical moment from the EP? Why?

Cut The Cord is my personal favorite. When we first wrote it I was sure it was the weakest song on the record, but Nate came up with this awesome guitar lead that just took the song to a new level. I think the lyrics paint a really cool picture too, and I think a lot of people can relate to it. It started as my least favorite and ended up being my favorite.

The artwork is really interesting. I like the vintage vibe of it. Where did you get that photo from and who came up with the concept for it and designed it?

The image is from a bunch of my dads old photos from the 80s. Him and his gang of friends would go out to central PA in the middle of nowhere and camp, ride dirt bikes and just live in their own little world. They were the real Strays. They found their own way to escape out there. I grew up going out there with him and running around in the woods just enjoying the peace and freedom. It gave me an appreciation for nature and independence that stuck with me my entire life. I still have the camera that took those photos. The layout and design was done by Steve Hallam from Color Core Studio. He plays in Stand Still, and they became good friends of ours. He nailed the artwork. I think it's perfect.

You’re releasing cassettes and CDs for the EP. What can you tell me about the designs for those, cassette color, etc…?

We're going all out on the cassettes and CDs. The cassettes have an awesome inside layout with lyrics and some additional art, and a funky clear sparkle tape that looks like it's speckled with dirt. The CDs will have a fully designed jewel case with additional art, lyrics and a printed CD. They're going to be sick.

Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

Shout out to everyone who's ever put us on a show, rocked a gig with us, came to a show, done merch or artwork for us, reached out to tell us they like our music, and supported us in any way. Be good to yourself, your family and the Earth, learn to love yourself, and fuck anyone who gets in the way of any that. Peace.