Interview: Opia

Interviews — 04 August 2010

Three piece Opia isn’t one to do things by halves. With the upcoming release of its debut EP ‘Emotion Evolution’, the band is ready to attack Perth with an extra-large sounding brand of progressive alternative rock. First single, ‘Nomandson’, was released last November and provided a taste of things to come. Reviews were positive, and it looks like the EP will be eagerly lapped up by fans.

Recorded last year with the help of Adam Round, Opia’s debut, with the exception of Nomandson, was produced by Adam Spark. Working with two different producers does bring its challenges, one being that both had different recording methods, as frontman Mike Bok explains. “You can definitely hear the differences in the recording from ‘Nomandson’ compared to the rest of the EP. On the new tracks the bass is a lot thicker and there’s less guitar layering. With Adam Spark we layered a lot of guitars. When we worked with Adam Round we concentrated on making one guitar as thick as possible. There were a lot of things that Adam Round would allow on a recording that Adam Spark wouldn’t and vice-versa, especially when it came to recording vocals.”

One thing the two had in common was a professional approach to the recording process and an ear for a good song. “Adam Spark brought in a whole lot of ideas with guitar bits and pieces. Adam Round thickened the sound up more. I haven’t put too much thought into it but there are definitely differences. Both producers really understood what we were trying to do.”

With the EP recorded, the matter of promoting it has now taken top priority. Bok says the band is looking interstate as well as keeping its eyes on Perth. “We’re hoping to try and grab some international support slots locally and over east. We’re also looking at going over east around November. We’re also planning to put out a music video. It’ll probably be for [the single] ‘Recharge’. You’re going to be seeing a lot of Opia in the coming months.”