Marion-based band Owlsburg smoothly transitions through various styles of alternative rock, from U.K. shoegaze to ‘90s grunge. Odes to Nirvana and other early ‘90s bands trickle through Owlsburg's compositions.
The track "I Believe" ends with the melody "All in all is all we are," derived from the Nirvana song, "All Apologies."
The band consists of Burke Sullivan on guitar and vocals, Brad Atkins on drums and Derek Miller, a Ball State University freshman film major, on bass, vocals and keyboards.
The trio has mastered the art of slowly building up the spirit of a song whilst combining reverb-driven guitar with airy, quiet vocals. Elements of post-rock, ambient, shoegaze and drone give the music an almost meditative quality.
The laid-back nature of the three members is evident in their live shows. There seems to be a level of thought-provoking calmness when the three serenely take the stage.
Elements of The Juliana Theory, a late ‘90s band, can be heard in Owlsburg's self-titled debut EP. Owlsburg carries the same Christian connotation as The Juliana Theory, and Owlsburg's songs have heavy religious themes including the concepts of inner searching, spiritual struggle and trying to find a place to lay the soul to the rest.
Sullivan admits that Christianity is a big part of his background and an influence on his writing but said he doesn't believe Christian rock music is a fitting genre for the band overall.
"The ratio of hope to despair is a lot heavier on the despairing end for us than in actual Christian music right now," Sullivan said. "This is not because we are despairing individuals, but because the darker themes are more interesting to me. I also tend to write more within a character than what I am actually feeling or thinking myself."
Sullivan prefers to write songs that present an overall concept rather than focusing on individual lyrics. Sullivan's writing shines through on the track, "Creature."
"It's a picture of someone lost in the wild, being forced to come to terms with the primal nature of man in a world crowded with information and progress," he said.
Other tracks include "The Curse," "Hail Mary," "Soul Sleep" and "Count to Three."
Sullivan has previously played alongside Dan England of Cowboy Angels in the former punk band, The Greg and Marsha Scandal.
Owlsburg will play Friday for National Record Store Day at Village Green Records. The band played a set Sunday night at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center for a Riley Hospital for Children benefit show.
Owlsburg is working on producing new demos and planning to begin the writing process for their first full-length album soon. Their debut EP can be purchased online through iTunes, LaLa or Bandcamp.
For more information on the band, visit owlsburg.com.
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