One Cincinnati band can't wait to get to The Blue Gator this weekend.
Oval Opus will take the stage with Jakob Freely, churning out its road-tested set of pop-rock tunes.
Lead singer Aaron Patrick describes Opus' sound as a blend of soulful vocals
classic rock-driven guitars and groovin' rhythm section with lots of big harmonies. The result: A performance worthy of sharing the stage with Maroon 5, The Doobie Brothers, Guster and Barenaked Ladies.
The band has toured more than 100 universities nationwide but feels like it knows Ohio and its colleges particularly well, guitarist Josh Edmondson said. Ohio University is a favorite stop, and the band played The Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St., twice Fall Quarter ' once in September and again in October. The band will be swinging through OU again tomorrow after a stop at Kent State tonight.
Athens is a ridiculously fun time Patrick said. Out of all the touring we do we truly look forward to that one.
Patrick said Athens' really hip vibe and eclectic environment make OU's music scene unique.
People there don't want to do the norm thing
he said.
While the band makes Athens a regular stop, it had its beginnings at OU rival Miami University. Patrick was at a party playing guitar, trying to impress a girl, when Edmondson joined in. Three hours later they were the only two left in the room and decided to keep working together.
The two soon added bassist Patrick Martin and Josh's brother and drummer Dan Edmondson to the mix.
Nine years since that night at Miami, the band has independently released six albums selling more than a combined 15,000 copies.
Oval Opus just got off The Rock Boat VII Tour with Sister Hazel, Vertical Horizon and more, then set sail on the Ships and Dip Cruise with Barenaked Ladies, and are touring tirelessly to promote their self-titled album released in January 2006.
The album was produced by Erwin Musper, who has worked with Van Halen, David Bowie and Bon Jovi in the past.
We've been fortunate enough to have written with some really amazing writers in New York City
and we're trying to bring the party and make it bigger
Patrick said.
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