Other Lives: From Bon Iver to Radiohead

by Steffanie Giesler

[email protected]

Scalpers lined up in Broomfield hours before the sold-out Radiohead show to sell $200 tickets to fans.  Craigslist ads were written from people begging others who had an extra ticket to take them, in exchange for money, company or both. What would they give to open for them, to tour with them?

Opening act Other Lives is marking themselves on the map with their second release, Tamer Animals.  Originally from Stillwater, OK, members Jesse Tabish (lead vocals), Josh Onstott (bass, organ), Jenny Hsu (cello, piano), Colby Owens (drums), and Jonathon Mooney (piano, violin, guitar), have made a name for themselves the last few years. The band, originally named Kenuk, formed in 2004 with one album released before the name change in 2008 to Other Lives. “We had one of the founding members (Eric Kiner) leave on mutual terms,” explains Tabish. “We thought it would be a good way to start new. It did something psychologically.”

The self-titled debut album was released in 2009, and the lead single “Black Tables” became a TV show hit.  The song was featured on shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill and Ugly Betty. Material for the sophomore album was written while touring in 2009 and 2010. “I hadn’t previously been on the road before,” says Tabish. “You get this feeling where you become more of an observer and a third party. That’s where the lyrics [for the album] came from. The lyrics are about observing the life around us; the landscapes, and the relationship between people and their landscapes.”

Tamer Animals was produced by industry legend Joey Waronker, who drums in the super group Atoms for Peace with Thom Yorke. The 11-song album, released in May 2011, is a beautifully easy moving, meticulously written piece of work that needs to be digested slowly by each listener. The band intertwines orchestral and rock music with gripping lyrics. Influences of Sigur Rós are apparent, while glimpses of Tabish’s voice resembles that of the National’s Matt Berninger. Exceptional tracks include “For 12,” “Landforms,” and “Tamer Animals.”

Touring has been the main focus. They opened last year for Bon Iver, then did a European tour, a U.S. headlining tour, and they’re currently opening for Radiohead. “I prefer our own headlining shows (over festivals or opening)” explains Tabish. “You get to play a little longer of a set and get a proper sound check. You can enjoy playing music instead of stressing out.”  He continues, “But I’d rather open for Radiohead any day than headline.”

After playing the first leg of Radiohead’s tour, Other Lives will play a short tour in Europe before joining them again at Coachella in April. They will then head back to Europe for the summer, playing shows and a couple festivals that include Primavera Sound Festival in Spain, and Primavera Sound Festival Porto in Portugal alongside Death Cab for Cutie, Bjork, Wilco, and Beach House.

For more information, or to check out tour dates visit http://otherlives.com/

Category: Planet Buzz