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Recently the Editors at Bozeman Magazine were contacted by the ReverbNation Live Group about Bozeman Magazine being rated highly among area Musicians as a good place to recieve a review of their music. Bozeman Magazine has been asked to choose one ReverbNation artist per month from March through May, and to incorporate them as a featured artist with a bio and interview. With over 3,900 musicians applying in the first three weeks, May’s pick for Bozeman Magazine / ReverbNation artist of the month comes from North Lake Tahoe…

THE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Bozeman Magazine is looking for one ReverbNation artist per month from March through May to incorporate as a feature story and interview. Features will run one to two pages each. Artists must be based in or around, or have future tour dates in Bozeman.
THE SELECTION CRITERIA: Talent, Musicianship, Song production value
DESIRED GENRE(S): All

The Barking Owls plays an original blend of music, drawing from pop, folk, rock, country, and bluegrass. The band’s diversity of styles is reflected in the variety of instruments used to support their literate hooks and vocal harmonies, including acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, upright and electric bass, harmonica, various percussive instruments, and the occasional kazoo. Bozeman Magazine had a chance to chat with the band recently. Here is some of that conversation:

BM: Where did the idea for the Barking Owls come from?

Erik: (Laughing) It’s a long and boring story. I spent all day in the library, and I found a book about American phrases and their origins, so I wrote down a bunch that seemed interesting to me. Then we all got together and threw in a bunch of possible names and that was the one which was the least objectionable to everyone I think.

BM: Do you have a band leader or do you operate the bands’s business democratically?

Someone: Erik’s the Leader.

Erik: Everything falls on me whether I like it or not. I am OK with that. I have written or co-written all the songs, it’s kinda my baby. I also have less of a life than everyone else in the band so I have more time to dedicate to it as well. (laughing) I am fine with that.

BM: You recently released your self titled debut album. Can you tell us a little about that. How did it come about?

Erik: Yeah, the self titled album we put out this January. We recorded more or less in my basement studio. Andy recorded his parts in his walk in closet studio. We would share files on dropbox.

The album is available on CD Baby, itunes, Amazon, or directly from us at a show or by going to www.thebarkingowls.com and sending an email.

BM: Who are some of your influences Erik, as a songwriter, and to the rest of the band which bands or players influence your playing?

Erik: As far as songwriting I am pretty heavily influenced by the Old 97’s, as well as Guster and the Decemberists, those are some of my favorites.

Adam: I listen to all the same stuff Erik mentioned, but I also play in a lot of different projects. I play Jazz, and I am in another band that is based out of Arizona. That band is influenced by a lot of post rock and indie rock. So it is in completely the opposite direction of what the owls do, but bands like Explosions in the Sky, Bark Psycosis, The Cure, The Smiths, 80’s indie rock. Aside from that I grew up playing bluegrass as well, which is much more closely related to what The Owls do. Some Western Swing and Old Time music. I listen to and play a bit of everything.

Karl: Yeah ditto what Adam said. At least the last sentence. Listening and playing a bit of everything is how I feel about it. I will say that how I got into the band was I was looking on craigslist and these guys had an ad up looking for a drummer and it said the influences The Old 97’s and I think Uncle Tupelo was in there and that is what peaked my interest to give them a call and see what we can do.

BM: So now you got a band and Erik writes most the songs. You get together, rehearse, and record a record. Does that all stay in place for a live show or is it more jam or improvisational?

Adam: For my part as the bass player, as I said I play Jazz quite a bit, but in the Owls I would not deviate too much from the song structure, but I do like to keep it interesting while at the same time having it be understood. Just provide a framework for the songs without going too much outside of that. We are trying to do our own thing, but over all this isn’t a genre that needs a busy bass player. I think more than anything the songs are really solid and driving. That’s one thing that attracted me to the band in the first place. Like I said I’ve done a lot of experimental music, and sometimes it’s just fun to be in a band that drives forward and is danceable and fun to listen to. While at the same time there is still room to throw in a choice note here or there, but overall I think it is driving straight forward music.

BM: So it is more about the Songs than the notes played?

Adam: Yeah I think our songs are a lot about the lyrics. Erik and Matt are both great lyricists and I think that is one of the main focuses of our songs. The Lyrics are a centerpiece and I think people want to know what is being said.

Erik: I gave up a long time ago trying to be a guitar hero and decided to focus more on songwriting so…

Adam: I still think you are a guitar hero Erik. (laughter)

BM: You are based out of the Twin Falls Idaho area. Where do you play now and where do you want to go?

Erik: We have only been together as a band for a year now, and the album just came out in January, so we are slowly expanding our musical  sphere of influence. We just played in Boise, and we have shows coming up this summer in Stanley (Idaho) and Garden City, Utah. We certainly would like to play in Bozeman and Missoula.

BM: What would you say The Barking Owl’s aspirations and future goals include?

Adam: Plan to take over the world. World domination.
Actually we have been talking about upping our presence on You tube perhaps. It seems like a good way to reach a broader audience. While we all love to play live and that is one of the most fun things in this band it also seems like on You tube it is world wide and a great way to build a dedicated fan base rather than going and playing at a club where some people are into it and others just see it as background music. We are looking into that as part of what to do, but we definitely want to continue to go out and play live too.

BM: Well like you say, I think playing live is where the most fun is.

Erik: We need to strike a balance, but on the video side we need to start producing better quality videos. Not just throwing up a camera next to someone talking in a bar.

Adam: We need a film crew and video editor to join the band and do that.

Erik: Being in a small town like we are it is important to expand our presence on the “interweb”.

Andy: For me if we could get a little less dependant on our day jobs and a bit more dependant on the band and playing music. I know there is a transition there. Its a bit of a step to get out of the job world, but it is the music that we love. So I’d rather do that. Places like ReverbNation are doing that by helping us get our music out there to be heard before we actually show up in person to play.