*Ed Wynne – Ozric Tentacles Image credit: Future
Masters of prog-space rock psychedelia OZRIC TENTACLES return to Greece for 2 headline shows. Together with the chaotic trippy rockers Naxatras and special guests the ambient folkers Silas & Saski, they promise to open the gates of another dimension and take us a ride to their music universe!
Friday, April 19, 2024 | Fuzz Live Music Club, Athens
Saturday, April 20, 2024 | Mylos Club, Thessaloniki
RockOverdose: Hi Ed! Thank you for finding the time for this interview. I know you’re more than half way throught your intense european tour. You’re in Italy right now? You are playing almost every day! How has it been so far?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Yes, I’m in Italy, I’m very tired but the tour so far it’s way back of what we’ve expected actually. We like meeting happy people, the band is good and tight, we all enjoy each others company which is great. We get very good energy from the people and that.
RockOverdose: That’s the most important. You have I think 6 concerts in Italy in less than a week! It is not every day you see a band playing that many gigs in a single country. Is there a special bond with Italy?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Of course there is, yes! Italy was the first country we played outside the UK. We were very surprised from how happy the people were there. We love it and we do it many times. We know it’s lovely and cool.
RockOverdose: You may have answered this one many times but would you give me the story behind your name?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Many years ago we’re enjoying very much twisting languages and we were laughing a lot, and that was one of many imaginary breakfast cereals, so when they asked us what’s our bands name there it was “Ozric Tentacles”! It’s funny and you can remember it easily.
RockOverdose: You have a new album out, «Lotus Unfolding». How has the reception been so far?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Well, everyone seems tο love it. Like all of them, it’s the same, certain people will always buy our albums and a few new people, which is also really good. Business as usual…
RockOverdose: Of course it’s business but what new or different it adds to your rest cataloge?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : I don’t know really, it’s just more music to me. It’s like a life diary for me, because when I hear previous albums or songs it brings me back memories of where and how I was.
RockOverdose: Do you believe instrumental music lacks compared to music with lyrics or does it offer an unmatched freedom?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Well, as you can probably guess I’m very into my instrumental music. You can feel your own feelings throught the songs, I prefer it this way. Unless the singing is very good, real and not processed but actual noise from the inside, that is what I like to hear. Difficult to find something like that thought… Middle East or Indian music attracts me a lot, maybe because understand the language, so I hear the instruments and I imagine they are singing anything alike really.
RockOverdose: Yes, music is an inner voice as you said. You embraced electronic elements really early to your sound. Dare I say you were among the first in the scene to do so. When was that momment you realised that you wanted to do this for the rest of yourlife. What shaped this creativity of yours?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : It was around 1977, as soon as I left school when I realized I want to get on with my life with music. I bought my first synthesizer from a friend, that changed my life. It was a profit pro1, that was how the whole synth world of Ozric Tentacles began. From that momment I couldn’t stop, I love so much this nice compination of synth and guitar. It’s natural for me.
RockOverdose: So, we’re looking forward for your two headlining shows in Greece with our local psychedelic heroes, Naxatras. I don’t know if you’re familiar with them…
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : To be honest, I haven’t heard them before. I’m looking forward for that. I don’t really listening to much music cause I’m always making my own. I’ll look them up for sure!
RockOverdose: Yes, they are really a very good band, which fits perfectly to your sound.
As we know, you had some line up changes throughout the years. How hard or easy is it to keep your sound intact with these changes?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : I’ve never changed the whole band in one day. Every time we have a new person. Each new person brings different flavor and color to the whole thing. That’s what happens, people coming one by one. It works ok with us. This time we have a new drummer with us, he’s very excited. New people bring fresh energy to the band.
RockOverdose: What can we expect from your shows in Greece?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : We’ll play almost half of the new album or maybe 1/3 of it, and some newest and some oldest stuff as well. A wide setlist from our whole music.
RockOverdose: Do you have any memories from your previous shows here in Greece?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : The greek hospitality is always wonderful, I love it! Your friendship, the audience and also the weather is lovely. Unfortunatelly, traveling there is a bit far away but people of Greece seem to appreciate the fact that we came from so far and make it magical . We’re very happy that you have us there, it’s very special for us to be seen from all these lovely countries.
RockOverdose: Last question before we close. If you could invite in your next concert any musician to play with you, dead or alive. Who would they be?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Well, I don’t know! They’re so many! I wouldn’t mind if jamming with Jimi Hendrix if possible. Just for the fun and the love of that.
RockOverdose: Before we close would you like to send a message to the audience that will attent your shows?
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Of course! I can’t wait to see you again. It’s been to long and I missed your energy. We’re looking forward to sending each other on a spiral trip through universe and land hopefully and happily with a big smile!
RockOverdose: Thank you very much for your time Ed! See you soon in Greece! Safe travels!
Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES) : Thank you very much!
On behalf of RockOverdose,
Vivi Zapantiotou
Interview questions: Nick Chinaris
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