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Oswald
is a four-piece rock band from Berkeley, CA with innovative songs
and uncompromising artistic integrity. Influences include ynaesthesia,
bi-polar disorder, sleep deprivation, Hunter S. Thompson, Kafka, and
Sylvia Plath. Their music is both dark and melodic, with thoughtful,
introspective lyrics and hooks that stick in your head long after
remnants of the last note has faded. Though radio programmers have
been quick to label the band as alternative, their songs evoke a timeless
quality, more reminiscent of an age when bands still made music that
meant something. Oswald could be described as a cross between Wilco,
Spoon, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Pink Floyd, but it becomes clear from
the very first listen they're making music that's distinctly their
own.
2002 saw the release of their debut album, A Failed Attempt to Alter
History, followed by a four song E.P. entitled The Shine On Sessions.
Over the course of the year, Oswald played a regular schedule of shows
all over the Bay Area, released several music videos, and continued
to write, amassing a catalogue of almost 50 songs. The year culminated
in grand fashion with a headlining slot at the prestigious great American
Music Hall in San Francisco towards the end of December.
Furthermore, while continuing to attract a solid local following,
they've managed to broaden their fan base to include parts of South
America, the UK, France, and even the Netherlands. Along the way,
Oswald also contributed music to a college television program and
an independent film.
Thus far in 2003, Oswald played shows at Slims and the world famous
Viper Room in Los Angeles, CA, in between a rigorous recording schedule
which led to the release of their second full-length album, In Vitro
Surrogate, in September. As of late, Oswald has been holed up in the
dark confines of their rehearsal compound hidden in some undisclosed
location, developing material for their next album, while continuing
to expand the limits of their live capabilities.
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