We’re looking forward to introducing you to Owen Weber. Check out our conversation below.
Owen, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
This whole summer has been an enjoyable and exciting time for me and the band. Just the other night, we went and saw our buddies in Goo Man play alongside some very inspiring out-of-town bands. It’s always enjoyable to chat with fellow musicians and artists in the community. We also just dropped a new single called Another Friend on July 10th, which was a great experience, getting to record in the studio with the whole band. On top of all that, we also got to play a couple of super exciting gigs this summer around St. Louis and across the river, on the Illinois side. We try to stay pretty active. I think that is what brings us these moments of joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Owen Weber, and I’m the lead singer and guitarist in my band, Olive. We are an indie rock band out of Alton, IL, just across the bridge from STL. I started this project back in 2021 when I was still in high school, and at the time, I was just doing it as a test to myself. To see if I could just do it on my own, honestly. After two more releases in 2022 and 2023, respectively, there began a slight subconscious desire to start playing this music live. Luckily, I found myself at the old Milton schoolhouse in Alton one day late summer 2023. That’s where I ran into our drummer, Ian Whitmore, and he simply asked if I needed someone to play drums. From there, I got my childhood buddies Jake Gordon on bass and Cole Raub on guitar, and we started playing Olive tunes live. Late last year, I put out our second album, “SUM,” on all streaming platforms, and since then, we’ve been playing shows around the greater STL area. On July 10th, we put out the first song where the band contributed much more to the recording. All the previously released Olive material was me playing all the instruments and whatnot. The track, Another Friend, really shows a new direction for the music created under “Olive”.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Two of my biggest influences when I first started this project were Kevin Parker and Mac DeMarco. From studying what they were doing, I was able to pick up pieces of the DIY writing/recording style that I’ve grown so fond of. They, alongside other traditional songwriters like Elliott Smith and Alex G, really taught me how to take an idea from its infancy and grow it into a completed piece of art all DIY. If I had to think in the now, however, I would say Steve Albini has been a big influence on me with how he approaches recording and mixing bands. I really enjoy this methods of analog recording and his constant search for the natural sound of an artist.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think the consistent fear that I wont have enough time to do all the things I want has kept me from achieving some things. It’s really like a time anxiety that’s spawned from the constant cycle of media and mass consumption. Sometimes it makes me feel like I must strain myself to get things out faster or make sacrifices for the sake of time. I’m slowly getting over it, though, it just takes time, ironically.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That you have to be some kind of super-genius mega popstar to produce your own music. With the advent of home recording equipment, it is easier than ever to self-release your own music. Another lie would be that you have to have the best equipment to make good art. I believe that as long as you get the sound you desire, then whatever method you use is working.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I feel like that’s what I’ve been working on since the start of Olive. At the beginning, I just wanted to see how far I could take making music on my own. Now that I have a band behind me, we’re all working together to create something larger than ourselves. Even if people don’t necessarily enjoy or respond to what we’re doing, we are going to keep doing our thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://olivemusics.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivemusics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560418840449
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@olivemusic21
- Other: https://linktr.ee/olivemusics
https://open.spotify.com/artist/36X8PxkXPqkhEMVOiRNHfN?si=hxsDFagUSNmHUkd3DBhYVQ
Image Credits
Photos by: @sameer_power2006 @lincolntakespix @casey_stills
