It’s a question that you can’t ask without a bucket load of passion behind it: “Are you with me?!” I’ve heard it in some badass movies and from some badass friends. So you know, when a band like our latest feature OTiS, began taking root with this very question… you have a group of guys on the same very passionate page. The NYC-based OTiS is made up of funk, rock and jam induced artists making music for all the right reasons.

The guys are about to take the world by storm with their self-titled debut, a record that band says “has been in the making for some time now. Some songs are nearly a decade old; other songs just a few months. We decided to record, produce, and distribute the album entirely on our own, and we're extremely proud of it… I would describe OTiS' sound in three words: ROCK/SOUL/GROOVE. What makes OTiS stand out from the rest is that we encompass all three of these genres, and even touch on blues, funk and reggae, giving OTiS a sound that is truly unique in its diversity. The great thing about housing many styles of music under one umbrella is that broader audiences can enjoy your music.” 

The band has a busy summer touring schedule, so keep an eye out for a show (probably best that you check out http://www.otisrock.net). The band is also looking into work for their second record, so pick up the self-titled to get started and read on for all the answers to the XXQ’s.

XXQs: OTiS

PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you stand out over the others in your genre? 

Craig Schoebaum (CS): I would describe OTiS' sound in 3 words; ROCK/SOUL/GROOVE.   What makes OTiS stand out from the rest is that we encompass all three of these genres, and even touch on BLUES, FUNK and REGGAE- giving OTiS a sound that is truly unique in it's diversity.

PEV: Tell us how the band first formed. What was the first day like when you all got together to practice? 

CS: We had been playing with a few different lineups over the years, and then one day we got the word that our lead guitarist had to bow out.  I remember it was right after the 4th of July in 2009, and I was freaked. Losing a band member (at any position) can set you back big time.  But the band decided to rehearse and give me a shot at lead guitar.  We noticed that there weren't many bands out there where the front man sang, played rhythm and lead guitar- so we went with it.  If anything, it was different.  After that first rehearsal as a 5 piece band in Mid July of 09'- we knew that OTiS had finally been established.

PEV: Having played in the business for a good time now, what was it like for the band when you first started out? 

CS: When I first started out with OTiS, I was one half of an acoustic duo called Jim & Otis.  This was back in 1999.  We played mostly originals, with the occasional cover tune.  After a few rowdy years in NYC with fellow band mate Jonathan Brooks (Jim), we hit a wall, and decided to part ways (although we've stayed in touch, and are still great friends).  It took a while, but Jim and Otis eventually turned into OTiS- and went electric.  This was the toughest part of OTiS' history- as my desire to play outweighed my resources.  I had to pay musicians to take the stage and rehearse with me.  Anyone who's done this knows what a pride swallowing routine this is. 

After a while, it was costing way more to put on a show than we were getting at the door, and there was minimal musical improvement.  One day I simply called a band meeting, and told every that I didn't want to pay anyone (out of my pocket) anymore- and that if they believed in this music as much as I did, they should stick around.  We promptly lost our Drummer and Bassist.  Our Percussionist Theo Moore was the only one who stuck around, and we got busy building a band with a goal.  Sometimes you have to be impossibly persistent -  If it was easy, everyone would rock.

PEV: With such a long history of music, do you remember the first time you thought to yourself during your career – “I am really onto something!”? 

CS: Yes.  I remember winning a singing contest a few years back, where the top prize was a record deal with SONY.  It was one of those American Idol style things, designed to find the 'best unsigned singers in NY.'   I remember being incredibly excited at the final competition when I won- and how quickly I fell back to Earth when I realized it was more or less a PR stunt for the restaurant, and that there really wasn't a 'record deal' with SONY waiting for me at the end of this rainbow.  It was a very long drawn out ordeal that turned into a single being recorded that wasn't very good.  Nobody at SONY seemed to want to have anything to do with the project, and it fell on me to try and motivate the producer and his team to get this song recorded.  At the end of the process, I remember getting the single with my name on it right there next to the SONY logo.  I played the song back to back with some OTiS originals for some trusted musical friends of mine.  All of them couldn't believe how different a big label like SONY was trying to make me sound, and told me I was way better off fighting the good fight, and sticking with the sound we were developing for OTiS.  Having everyone I trusted tell me they like my stuff over a Major Record Label's- That's when I realized that I might be on to something.

PEV: What can fans expect from a live OTiS show? 

CS: People can expect to see a band that leaves it all up on the stage.  A high energy set, designed to get people's body parts moving.  If I don't lose my voice singing on stage, than I haven't done my job. It takes a lot for friends/fans to get out and support music - OTiS refuses to disappoint the lovely people who come out.

PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage? 

CS: Where's my bottle of water?

PEV: What is your take on today’s “mainstream” music? 

CS: It is what it is, and by that I mean it seems logical that mainstream music is where it is today.  So many things have been tried musically that it seems the mainstream is more about a bigger picture than just music these days.  You can't just sound great- you need to look the part, act the part, and sell your soul.  That being said, I have nothing but respect for any artist/s who've made it all the way to the massive mainstream audience.  Artists who call other successful artist sellouts are simply frustrated.  There's nothing wrong with success (although I may not be playing some of these mainstream artists on my ipod).  Ray Charles said it best, "Selling out is the point…selling out the house..."

PEV: Tell us about your self-titled debut album. What can fans expect from this?       

CS: This album has been in the making for some time now.  Some songs are nearly a decade old- other songs just a few months.  We decided to record, produce, and distribute the album entirely on our own, and we're extremely proud of it.  It took us about 9 months from track 1 to 11 to be completely mastered.  Our very own bassist Dave Lowenthal did all of the recording, mixing and producing himself- making it an inexpensive venture for OTiS.  You need a cheap, great sounding album these days to get people's attention.  If it goes well you just might be lucky enough to have someone take an interest.

Music fans can expect the same high energy sound that they experience at live shows on this album.  We poured some serious love into these tracks.  Long time fans will be happy to hear OTiS classics finally recorded, and new fans will enjoy the diversity in style from track to track.  The great thing about housing many styles of music under one umbrella, is that broader audiences can enjoy your music.

PEV: What was the underlining inspiration for your music? Where do get your best ideas for songs? 

CS: Inspiration for OTiS' tunes comes from many places, from day to day personal experiences to the news.  And when inspiration happens, it happens fast.  Almost every song that I've ever written was written in a matter of minutes.  Words and music and all.  Something happens, I grab a pen, write down the lyrics- work out the chords in my head if I'm not near a guitar- and there's your new song.  Odd really.  I've tried many times to pin point why/how this happens, and what triggers these songs- but so far I still don't know.  Usually this happens when I'm on the subway or driving- so I'll write the song in my head, and that night I'll go home and play it.  I've recently started successfully collaborating with other members of OTiS, and am looking forward to more new tracks written by many minds.    

PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about OTiS? 

CS: I think you'd be surprised to hear how great the band gets along.  Do you know how much of a blast it is to be in a band where everyone is happy?  Having played music in New York City for over 10 years, I can tell you that being in a band that isn't having fun, sucks.  It's the worst.  When you're all on the same page- it's a constant good time.  Even though you have to rehearse late at night on top of your 9-5, and work extremely hard to get noticed- it's a truly amazing thing to find 5 guys who are willing to sacrifice so much for that same thing.  An unifying goal.  We're a bunch of kids in a sand box once rehearsal starts.  That has to mean something.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your lives when you knew that music was going to be a career for you? 

CS: No. I always knew what I was meant to do.  Can't speak for the rest of the boys.

PEV: What one word best describes OTiS? 

CS: Tasty.

PEV: How is life on the road for you in the music world? Best and worst parts? 

CS: Life on the road has escaped OTiS thus far.  We're hoping that our album will help us get booked with some up and coming touring acts who would be willing to co-sign for us.  Until someone gives us a shot, we're locked into the NYC area.  But hey, if you can make it there...

PEV: Is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet? 

CS: I think OTiS would be big in either California, or London.  Seems like there's more soulful acts coming out of those specific parts of the world.  Plus I think OTiS has a very surfy West Coast vibe that they'd dig out there in CA.  We're following in the footsteps of RHCP, and Sublime but from the East Coast.  They'd like us out there I think.

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your careers? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown? 

CS: Family and friends have been amazingly supportive.  It's great to run across an old friend who hasn't heard OTiS in 5 or 6 years and hear them say, "Wow, you guys sound great these days!"  A big part of OTiS is constantly trying to improve.  Since we have a close knit following of dedicated fans, it's only right that we keep things new, and fresh every time they come and see us.   

As far as a hometown gig, I'll have to let you know when that eventually happens...  Growing up so close to NYC, there's constantly hometown friends in at shows, but we've yet to do the official homecoming gig.  Should be fun though, and we'll be sure to make a big deal out of it.

PEV: What can we find the members of OTiS doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music? 

CS: Working their asses off.  Everyone in OTiS either has a 9-5 job, freelances, or is a student.  No one is resting on their time off, and it shows in the music.  If there is free time, we usually spend it online promoting the band, handing out flyers, putting up posters, sticking up stickers, etc.  No one is going to do these things for us, and they need doing.  Without these necessary steps, we would be playing shows to empty houses. One day, we'll be able to focus solely on music, and that will be nice, but until then we'll keep our heads down and keep pushing it.

PEV:  Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now? 

CS: There are two; Urban Sun, and The Rozatones.  Urban Sun is out of NYC like ourselves, and The Rozatones originated in Syracuse.  Both have a strong, powerful funky sound.  Great live acts.  OTiS has shared the stage with both bands, and plans to again in the future.  LOOK THEM UP.

PEV: If you weren’t playing music now what would each of the band members most likely be doing for your career? 

CS: I would love to teach an elementary school music class.  That's where I fell in love with music.  As for the other guys-   Bassist Dave would probably be an engineer at The Hit Factory (if it was still open), Percussionist Theo Moore would probably be a graphic designer- because he is a damn good one.  Keyboardist Justin Etheredge would probably own a pack of Cadillac Escalades that he'd rent out to production companies for the use of driving around Directors and other high end clients.  And Drummer Dominick Magnotta would probably travel around the globe seeking input from the world's greatest drummers, and write a book about it called "Drumanick-  the story of drums and Dominick."  Finally-  there's one other member of the OTiS family yet to be mentioned- OTiS' manager- Nattallie Schiavo.  Nattallie has been a part of OTiS almost as long as I have- and a great manager is a priceless commodity.  She books our shows, and deals with venues on our behalf.  She's also been the single greatest supporter of OTiS since the very beginning.  If she wasn't our manager, she'd most likely have a string of popular children's books- or perhaps be a Field Producer for a travel show.

PEV: So, what is next for OTiS? 

CS: We have shows lined up through the end of August, so please check our schedule, and hopefully you can make a set.  Other than that, we'll be talking about outlining our next album in a few months.  Lots of really tight new material coming out of the band that needs to be tracked out.  REALLY looking forward to that.  Ultimately, we're determined to prove that hard work and determination can pay off.  Success always feels better when you know you've really earned it, and being part of a band that does everything they can to 'make it' is all you can possibly ask for as a musician.  We'll just have to wait and see what comes next.