OTIS Talk New Single, Favourite Instruments And More

US rockers OTIS have returned with a brand new single ‘There’s A Break In The Road’ which is out now. We wanted to find out more about the track and band and they kindly agreed: 

Who is in OTIS, what do they play and how did you meet?

We are myself, Boone Froggett – guitar & vocals along with John Seeley – bass, Alex Wells – guitar & Dale Myers – drums. John and I are the founding members of the band and we started all of this around 2012. John & I initially met when he filled in as a bass player for my dad’s cover band, the rest is history, haha! Alex & Dale came into the band in 2022 and we’re insanely proud of our reformed lineup!

Your new single ‘There’s A Break On The Road’ is out now. What is the story/inspiration behind the track? 

I happened across Betty Harris’s version of “There’s a Break in the Road” on a compilation album of New Orleans soul music. When I first heard the song it floored me, everything about the track resonated with me as if I was hearing my own story and the instrumentation reminded me so much of our style of playing! I hope our version is able to bring some more recognition to the original recording, it’s an under the radar masterpiece.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the track’s recording sessions?

We had the best time during this session! The band almost had a telepathic connection to engineer/producer Kevin McKendree. We were talking as we were loading in and I asked Kevin what new music he had been listening to and he said “Well, I’ve been listening to a lot of 50’s era Howlin’ Wolf.” We knew we were kindred spirits at that point.

Where did you record the song and who produced it? 

We had the pleasure of recording this at The Rock House studio down in Franklin, TN with Kevin. I first met Kevin when he played some live shows with The Kentucky Headhunters after the “Meet Me in Bluesland” album was released and reconnected with him through one of my blues guitar heroes. Kevin engineered, produced, played electric piano & mixed the track.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

We wanted to be captured in our natural element and show people the area where we come from. A loud rock & roll band in a tobacco barn is about as OTIS as it gets! The video was filmed and directed by Yellowberri, a great team of folks led by David Downing based out of Bowling Green, KY. 

What is your earliest musical memory?

Seeing my grandfather David Froggett Sr. play fiddle was one of my earliest memories. He was an award winning old time fiddler and I would tag along to competitions and festivals with him. I got it honest!

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones?

In 2020 I had the honor of developing a signature Tremolo pedal with Jeff Bolin the mastermind at Analog Pedals. It’s called “Boone’s Mojo Box”. It’s two effects in one. A vintage tremolo and a chorus, when you blend them together it does a really good job of recreating a pitch shifting vibrato that you hear on 50’s & 60’s soul & early rock records.

Do you have any live plans for 2024 in the UK and Europe?

We’ve been really lucky to play some unique shows in the UK & Europe such as Berg Herzburg Festival in Germany & Caerphilly Castle in Wales! When the right opportunity comes along we would love to come back. It’s been one of the highlights of our journey so far. 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words? 

Center, KY Small. There’s only one stop sign.

Do you have any further music releases planned such as more singles, EP or an album? 

We have single releases scheduled for 2024, but our goal is a full-length release when the stars align so look out for that when the time comes, it’s ready when it’s ready!

What music do you enjoy listening to? Do you have any recommendations?

If you’re riding in the van with us you can hear everything from YES to Hank JR. We have some very diverse ears in the band, but our roots are deep in blues, classic rock & soul. Suggestion wise we’ve really been listening a lot to the 2017 Kim Wilson album “Blues & Boogie, Vol. 1” It puts us in a good headspace to do our thing.

 How do you look after your voices?

I try to run a lot and eat well at home but that all goes out the window when we’re on the road. I think it’s really important to know your voice and your limitations. Sometimes sacrificing a big note on a rough night will get you through the next gig and then there’s nights you can hit any note without consequence. The human voice is a mystery!

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Our main goal is to hit on human emotions and make everyone feel like they’re family to us. If we can do those two things it’s a good night.

What makes OTIS happy and what makes you unhappy?

As long as we’re getting to write, record & play shows we’re all good. If we’re in a situation where we can’t do those things as often as we like, things can derail. Haha! At the end of the day we have to make this music for ourselves first and hope that it moves everyone else the way it moves us.

Feature Image Photo Credit: MM Photography

OTIS’ new single ‘There’s A Break In The Road’ is out now.

Stream/Download: https://otis.hearnow.com/ 

For more information visit their official website here: https://theotisband.com/