Q & A With Oracle – XS ROCK

XS ROCK: Tell me about the latest band news? Any new projects coming out, live shows or announcements?

RAY OZINGA: With our latest release, Hindsight is 2020 coming out so recently, there isnít much besides videos and more writing. No live shows or tours because of the pandemic.

XS ROCK: So how long has the band been together?

RAY OZINGA: Over 4 years now.

XS ROCK: What was your main motivation for originally starting or being in a band?

TREY OZINGA and JASON LONG: we wanted to put together a project where we could be free to write whatever and however we wanted with really like minded people that all work hard.

XS ROCK: What is your music background?

RAY: All of us has been in other bands but, no formal training other than Trey. Ironically, he trained as a guitarist and is the drummer.

JASON: I played drums in a band at one point so I could help him get started.

XS ROCK: What image do you think your music conveys?

JASON: A rattlesnake prepared to strike. A lightning bolt. A Lion perched atop his mountain ledge. All these things are powerful, deadly, epic by nature and somehow, beautiful at the same time.

XS ROCK: What are your current music career goals?

RAY: As much as possible and do what we love.

Q & A With Oracle

Q & A With Oracle

XS ROCK: Which do you prefer? Writing new songs and recording or playing for a live audience?

RAY: live!!

JASON: Writing and recording

TREY: neither. (He laughs)

RAY: They both have such a different and important role. We find a lot of enjoyment out of both of them.

XS ROCK: What are your songsí lyrics about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

JASON: Thatís a broad stroke across the entire spectrum because we donít necessarily have that kind of a formula. Our songs can be about hope and perseverance and they can be extremely dark and depressing and everything in between. We want people to be able to inject into and/or relate to our lyrics.

XS ROCK: What is the single most important thing to you as a musician?

JASON: I think the single most important is our bandmates and going on this journey together and watching growth through effort.

XS ROCK: Do you have any outrageous tour stories from the road? If so, please fill us in.

TREY: Hey, Iíve gotten to open for Avatar. Thatís pretty outrageous in my opinion.

XS ROCK: What’s the strangest request that you’ve ever received from one of your fans?

JASON: I was asked to call and sing to a dying girl by a fan because the girl loved our band.

XS ROCK: Are your friends and family supportive of your choice to play in a rock band?

RAY: Well, somewhat. We have a lot of support from some.

JASON: Not Really. My wife is but, not so much outside of that.

TREY: just…..no.

JASON: (laughs) Treys wife and his dad are supportive.

XS ROCK: What advice do you have for new bands trying to get started?

TREY: Donít do it!

RAY: (laughs) have broad shoulders.

JASON: Work hard. Be dedicated and creative.   Never stop learning and trying new things.

XS ROCK: What are your favorite tracks to play live?

RAY: Envy and Cleansation because they have versus that the guitar finally hushes up and people have to just hear bass!

JASON: I tend to really like playing Seven Deadly Sins and the Crow. Really anything that the crowd just canít help the heads from banging.

TREY: None! I suck at them all.

XS ROCK: Which band or artist inspired you to perform? Why?

JASON: As far as perform? Avatar and Slipknot because of the spectacle. Amazing shows.

XS ROCK: If you could design a dream tour for your band, who would be on the bill?

JASON: I want Chimaira back.

RAY: megadeth

TREY: Do I have to be there?

XS ROCK: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?

RAY: We are excited to see what kind of doors open with Pavement as that is an honor to be on their label.

XS ROCK: If you weren’t performing in a band what kind of career do you think you would have?

JASON: I would be a visual artist and carve wood.

RAY: probably janitorial work. (Laughs)

TREY: a bum

XS ROCK: What type of equipment do you use for live shows?

RAY: Mark Bass bass amp. Ibanez bassís

JASON: ESP guitars across the board. Peavey 6505 pluses with Mesa cabinets.

TREY: Garbage cans.

XS ROCK: What do you think of the current music scene?

RAY: Well, right now itís very limited due to the pandemic.

XS ROCK: For anyone that doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?

RAY: I like beer

JASON: Me to

TREY: eh

XS ROCK: Is there anything that you’d like to promote or say to your fans out there?

RAY: please check us out on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify. Search Oracle Extreme Metal.

JASON: Be good to each other

TREY: Donít do drugs.

XS ROCK: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us at XS ROCK

http://www.facebook.com/oraclemetalband/