{"id":14574,"date":"2013-01-31T14:01:37","date_gmt":"2013-01-31T21:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/aznightlife\/?p=14574"},"modified":"2013-02-12T08:38:59","modified_gmt":"2013-02-12T15:38:59","slug":"exclusive-interview-with-jerry-depizzo-of-o-a-r","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/aznightlife\/exclusive-interview-with-jerry-depizzo-of-o-a-r\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive interview with Jerry Depizzo of O.A.R."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"O.A.R.\"<\/p>\n

On\u00a0Friday, February 1st, Birds Nest crowd favorite\u00a0O.A.R.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>returns to the Birds Nest after a one year hiatus. Known world-wide as one of the best live bands on the planet, O.A.R.\u2019s album sales are in the millions. The band\u2019s 2008 studio album All Sides, which debuted at #13 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on the Digital Album chart, produced smash hits such as \u201cShattered\u201d and \u201cThis Town.\u201d Thirteen years after the group\u2019s first release, the band has come to stand for authentic rock music that reflects the collective triumphs and tragedies we all experience in this world: Real people making real music that resounds deeply with their fans.<\/p>\n

Completly dominant within their genre, O.A.R. is one of the best live bands of their generation. I cannot express enough how important it is for each and every one of you to make it out to the Coors Light Birds Nest this Friday night to experience one of their shows for yourself. If you\u2019ve already witnessed a live O.A.R. performance, then you already know how amazing they are and we\u2019ll see you there!<\/p>\n

Click here for the full line-up, dates\/times, and tickets to the event: Coors Light Birds Nest<\/a><\/h3>\n

AFM: For those who don\u2019t know you, who is O.A.R.?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

O.A.R. is what you get when when you mix four parts Maryland with one part Ohio. \u00a0O.A.R. sounds like summer. \u00a0O.A.R. is what one listens to when you need a lift and some positive vibes.<\/p>\n

AFM:<\/strong> I think it\u2019s safe to say that O.A.R. is more of a family than a band, and one of reason your live shows are so amazing is because you bring the fans in on that experience and make them feel like part of your family. Throughout everything you guys have experienced over the last 16 years, all the ups and downs, what are the biggest life lessons you learned from being in O.A.R.?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned that if you live for each other rather than yourself, things will work out just fine.<\/p>\n

AFM:<\/strong> Some of my favorite O.A.R. tracks like \u201cBlack Rock,\u201d \u201cSo Moved On,\u201d and of course, \u201cThat Was a Crazy Game of Poker\u201d are more like gospel than songs; filled with timeless good advice that, on a personal level, helped me through a lot of tough times. Was bestowing your knowledge on a younger generation ever a goal? Or is the songwriting your expression of life experiences that you absolutely cannot hold in?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

People connect with the music and especially the lyrics because it comes from an honest and real place. \u00a0Marc takes in what life throws at him and writes about it in a way people can relate. \u00a0He\u2019s a storyteller at his core.<\/p>\n

\"O.A.R.\"<\/p>\n

AFM:<\/strong> With all the electronic dance music and solo music producers, people forget that there are still 6 and 7 piece bands touring the nation, and killing it. What is O.A.R.\u2019s creative process like in the studio?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our creative process varies considerably from song to song, project to project. \u00a0There\u2019s magic that happens when everyone is in a room creating something together, yet great material has come from people breaking off into smaller groups or solo to work on things. \u00a0I love technology and all of the new ways people are able to create music. Computers have liberated artists to the point where all one needs is a laptop and a mic. \u00a0To me, there are no rules as to how something should be recorded or produced\u2026just make it cool.<\/p>\n

AFM:<\/strong> We are super excited to have you play at the 2013 Coors Light Birds Nest, especially after watching the O.A.R. Live on Red Rocks<\/i> DVD that was released in November. What are your top 3 favorite songs to play live right now?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I like \u201cRoad Outside Columbus\u201d because it shows the depth, texture, and musicality of the band. \u00a0Jon, our trumpet player, and Marc really have some nice moments together on this one. \u00a0Live on Red Rocks<\/i> has a great example of this.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve really been enjoying \u201cHeaven\u201d lately. This was a song that really took on a life of its own outside the studio. \u00a0I think the band\u2019s ability to depart from a studio version of a song, adapt it to a live setting, and still convey the same message and essence speaks volumes about our strength and agility as a unit.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve also been digging\u00a0\u201cAbout Mr Brown\u201d. We\u2019ve added a few new sections to it over the past few tours. \u00a0I love that a song like this continually evolves. \u00a0\u201cAbout Mr. Brown\u201d was one of the band\u2019s first songs. \u00a0We play it almost every night, yet we still find new ways to perform it.<\/p>\n

\"O.A.R.\"<\/p>\n

AFM:<\/strong> Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us and we\u2019ll see you this Friday night at The Birds Nest! Do you have any final words for your fans?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Bird\u2019s Nest show is one that I always circle on my calendar. The Thunderbirds really know how to throw a party and it\u2019s one that I always look forward to playing<\/p>\n

The band is working hard on a new record right now that we are very excited about and we are really looking forward to going out and playing all over the country this summer.<\/p>\n

AFM:<\/strong> Also, make sure you check out O.A.R.\u2019s most recent live album and DVD recorded live from Red Rocks in Colorado! See what the guys had to say about their experience at Red Rocks Below as well as the track list!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n