With the contemporary rock scene more crowded than a Manhattan subway at rush hour, it can be difficult for a band to make their voice heard. While L.A. –based rock trio Oedipus definitely encountered the radio roadblocks and club scene gridlock, they discovered an alternate route to success, both through film placements and radio popularity outside of the U.S. Bassist and lead vocalist Jeremy Haffner spoke to Playback from at home in Los Angeles to fill us in on the strange story of how a Los Angeles band became huge in Poland.
What's behind the name? Are you fans of Greek Mythology or Freud?
Fans of Greek Mythology, although the Freudian context has lead to some very interesting conversations. We started using the name exclusively when we were 13 years old, and studying the Oedipus trilogy in middle school Latin class. The symbolism, and relative shock value definitely had something to do with the choice. Also, it's a great sounding word.
What is the modern rock scene like in Los Angeles, are there many bands you feel are your artistic peers?
There are several bands that are doing cool things in The Los Angeles local scene. Opus Dai, Ninja Academy, and Kingsley to name a few. The scene is not as inclusive as it used to be, or maybe seemed to us when we were younger. LA is searching for a new organic camaraderie in its rock scene and has struggled for a while. I think due mostly to the amount of money good venues need to break even on a given night. This cost is usually shouldered entirely by the bands playing that night, which ends up discounting a lot of very solid acts who have yet to build a fan base. We've been lucky enough to have great, loyal fans, and can negotiate the LA club scene with relative ease.
You've gotten very popular in Poland, a pretty specific market to tap. How did you get your music to Polish radio in the first place?
A company called Radio Express, which makes tastemaker CDs for Radio stations, sent our music to Europe, Africa, and South America. The songs are being spun in a lot of different markets, which are very difficult for us to track, as there doesn't seem to be a standardized international tracking system for Radio spins. We have been getting a lot of input from fans all over the world, asking for our music, and for us to come play for them. Polish radio stations, by far, have been the most enthusiastic about it.
Why Poland in particular? Did you know other bands who had done it? Was it management's idea?
We know other bands who have broken in Europe, and have now done very well for themselves in the USA. Poland is, more or less, a very happy accident for us. A program director at their major national rock station picked up our single “Tres Las” and decided to add it directly to commercial rotation. Giving it more than one spin gave it a platform for Polish fans to pick up on it, which spawned demand for a record, which has been released through My Music/EMI Poland. Within a few weeks of that first radio spin, it was snowballing out of control, with fans sending us homemade videos performing the songs, and an interest that provoked local talent buyers to bring us to Poland to play. That kind of fan enthusiasm was something we just couldn't pass up.
Did you service your music to other foreign markets as well?
Not specifically. We cast a wide net, and have been garnering radio play in many territories. We've been seeing a lot of fan reaction in the UK, Germany, Mexico, and Central America.
What was it about your single, “Tres Las” that connected to the Polish fans?
The Polish people, from our personal experience, love to dance, and party, and be happy. “Tres Las” has a solid backbeat, and a positive feel, and I've been told by many Polish fans that it simply makes them want to smile and bounce.
What was the reception of your live show like when you traveled to Poland to perform?
Unbelievable! We were all trying to keep very nonchalant about the whole trip, but when we hit the stage, it was infectious. They sang every word, they never stopped moving, and they never stopped smiling. The show was a promotion for the radio station, so it was only open to people who had won a contest to get in. Some 750 fans were there. I think a total of 1000 people. Absolutely amazing.
What did the experience leave you thinking about coming back to continue to try to break the band in America?
I'm terrifically optimistic. It makes me think that given the right push, and with the radio behind us, the way it is in Poland, we could do just as well, if not better. The fans are there, and everywhere we go, we gain ground. We've been working at the craft of writing and performing, for long enough, that we've become very realistic about the business of music and entertaining, and with all of the opportunities we are getting, I feel there is a great potential for us to break out in US markets, the way we would like to.
Why do you think this phenomenon happens, a band having massive success outside of their home country?
A number of reasons. Of course there is a novelty factor to something exotic, from another culture, no matter how similar to yours it is. However, I think specifically, the European audience is more open to American culture, because we're the hub of global entertainment. America is the tastemaker. Rebellious American Rock & Roll Culture is a commodity, and we're steeped in it.
You've had some film syncs lately, mostly in the horror genre. Are you fans of those kinds of movies? Why do you think your music lends itself to the genre so well?
I don't really have an answer aside from, I think, fans of horror movies seem to have a genetic trait that predisposes them to enjoying content that can be considered “cult classic.” The songs we've placed in horror movies have been our earlier more progressive rock pieces, which definitely speak more to that audience. Our style has become much more focused, and the newer more focused music has landed in a couple of action movies. The idea is to balance ourselves, so that we can write for everyone and still geek out on the intricacies.
