I had the chance to catch up with Chris Wyse last week, frontman and bass player in the LA/NY-based rock band Owl, whose third album – the propulsive and powerful Things You Can’t See is due out tomorrow, July 28th! Chris is also the bass player for former lead guitarist and founding member of KISS, Ace Frehley, and was the bass player in seminal rock outfit The Cult for a decade.
How would you describe Owl in 2-3 words for new listeners?
Trio magic.
You have an upcoming album “Things You Can’t See” coming out on July 28th. How would you summarize the album as a whole and what were your main inspirations?
The album was recorded in a old Roman Catholic Church-turned-studio (overit.com) and I think the place itself gave it a vibe. The music really takes the listener on a journey. The soundscape is magical but there is the song craft and plenty of hooks.
How has the band, and your sound, developed since your previous two releases?
Owl is even more potent now and we have an edge still. We are honed and you get lots of what we do in one song.
What’s your personal favorite song from the album?
I really like them all because each song is different, but my favorite is “Who’s Gonna Save You Now.” We have a video coming for track soon.
Your album teaser video is captivating – blending clips from past music videos and alien footage… did you develop the concept for this, or did it just come together naturally?
I have always been attracted to fantastical things like secret lost wisdom and aliens, space, and beyond.
You use an both electric bass and upright bass, which is pretty niche in rock bands and gives your sound a unique standout point. How do people react to this? Are they surprised, unsure, etc. until you begin to play?
It has a visual wow factor and I feel it adds to the show the way I move with it and use the bow. The main thing is the sound and the music, and that always gets them live.
As an accomplished musician, what are things you wish you known or been told early in your career?
Always trust your gut. My career is based on that.
