Tag: Shane Ochsner

March 28, 2017

February 10, 2017

Hands - The Sounds of Earth (Playlist)

The band Hands first formed back in 2007, releasing a couple of “Demos” of which I was a strong supporter of. Their songs even appeared on a few of our early digital compilations. I followed Shane and his band’s work closely over the years following their formation from their first independent release, “The Everlasting Ep” (2008), to the incredible full length debut “The Sounds of Earth” (Oort Records/2009) to “Creator” (Facedown Records), “Give Me Rest” (Facedown Records” and finally after a much deserved break, their comeback single “New Heaven / New Earth” (2017/Facedown Records).… Continued →

January 17, 2014

INTERVIEW : Everything In Slow Motion

I was lucky enough to have the privilege of interviewing Shane Ochsner, the man behind Everything In Slow Motion. Shane is a great conversationalist, and I felt like I really got to know him during our 80 minute chat. He was by far the longest phone interview I’ve ever conducted, but he was also the most personable guy. Maybe it’s because we’re both living in North Dakota, but probably because he is the most genuine, humble person I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with.… Continued →

January 16, 2013

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: Part 11 - When I Learn To Sing

When I Learn to Sing The process of finding a front man for a rap-rock band is no simple task. There are many stringent qualifications that must be met. You need someone who can hype up a crowd, rhyme words at a fifth grade level, look good in parachute pants and a backwards hat… and maybe even sing. Matters became complicated to an even further extent in the case of Christian rap-rock bands circa the year 2000. In addition to the previous check list of “skillz”, the mythical creature known as the “front man of a Christian rap-rock band” was in this era expected to be one part adolescent rebel and another part pastoral guide and counselor.… Continued →

January 9, 2013

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: Part 10 - Rock the Party

Rock The Party Around the turn of the century a new genre of music would see a meteoric rise in popularity. Teenage boys were stoked. Music critics were not. This genre would come to be known as “rap-rock”. Rap-rock was exactly what it claimed to be, a mixture of hip-hop and alternative rock or metal, usually played with down-tuned guitars and loads of testosterone fueled angst. Although pre-internet North Dakota was always a couple of years behind the rest of the world, rap-rock made a fairly timely breakthrough thanks to MTV and massive radio hits by groups like Rage Against the Machine, Linkin Park, Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, and 311.… Continued →

January 2, 2013

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: Part 9 - We're A Band

We’re A Band I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I’ve known way too many people who have said, “This is the year! I’m going to do P90X!” Most of them get up at 6:00 AM the next day, struggle through the first routine, go to work and exuberantly tell people “I’m doing P90X! It’s so hard! I’m so awesome!”, go to bed that night tired out but with a sense of accomplishment… and then wake up at 6:00 AM feeling like they got run over by a convoy of 18 wheelers.… Continued →

December 19, 2012

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: Part 7 - Let It Begin

Let It Begin I’ve always been one of those guys who shakes his presents. I’ve also been known to ask clever, probing questions in an attempt to sucker a gift giver into accidentally letting an all important hint slip out about what I might be receiving. To be completely honest, I probably find just as much (if not more) satisfaction in figuring out what a gift is before opening it as I do in the actual gift itself. It’s rare that I don’t have at least some notion of what is hidden beneath the wrapping paper.… Continued →

December 12, 2012

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: Part 6 - Best Kept Secret

Best Kept Secret It’s hard to keep anything hidden for long in a town with a population of less than 2,000 people. You know who’s at the post office by looking at the cars parked out front. If you are walking down the street and see someone working in their yard, chances are you’ll know each other by name. If a kid gets a speeding ticket (or God forbid a minor) it seems like the lady at the grocery store will somehow manage to find out before their parents do.… Continued →

October 15, 2012