One Way to Live brings us their unique post hardcore and metal style from Denver, Colorado. The quintet, founded in 2015, took a moment to talk with me about the Denver music scene, their goals for live shows, and their evolution over the past two years.
What is the best thing about playing shows in Denver? How does Denver compare to other cities you’ve performed in during tours?
The energy, the intimacy of the venues, and the togetherness. The scene is one big, dysfunctional family and it’s a thrill to be part of it. I love every minute of Denver shows. I’ll be the one to confess we haven’t played outside of Colorado yet, and we’re working to break the mold. However, from various perceptions of other scenes across the nation, I often hear Denver is among the best. Denver is also one giant melting pot which is a really cool attribute to be a part of. If you go to local shows here, you know how hard Denver likes to go no matter what fans might favor stylistically and culturally.
What is the biggest challenge the band has faced to date?
The band’s most significant challenge to date would be our concept and branding. It took a while to hone our craft and sound, including changing aliases as our fans are aware. Regardless of a name, we’re still the same musicians with the same growing fans, ready for what lies ahead.
What is most important to the band as a whole? What do you strive for at each practice and performance?
Schraeder: I strive to write the catchiest, fluid, and consistent lyrics and vocal patterns while maintaining a solid stage presence. Each practice, I work on crowd engagement moves and improvisation of syllables, setting up breakdowns, transitions, etc. I find it crucial as a frontman to keep things fresh, so I maintain that mentality with the energy I feed the crowd live.
Ryan: It’s all about presentation to me. I try to go with as much energy and quality of performance as I possibly can. Singing, playing guitar, and stage presence all have to be at 120% for me to be happy with my performance. We as a group also have a solid foundation of chemistry among us, which I think adds an element that makes us fun to watch on (and sometimes off) stage.
Kevin: I strive to put on the best show possible so everyone that comes to see us gets their money’s worth and those that didn’t know about us before the show are mesmerized by our performance.
Jacob: When I go and see other bands perform, professional or not, their presence is what I feel is most important. When performing, I try to reflect what I would want as an observer. High energy and crowd engagement are what I feel are most important. As for the band as a whole, we need to have synergy and teamwork to keep everything flowing smoothly.
Dylan: I think it is more important to work together for the sake of performing. We can’t just work on our individual parts in the band. We get together, plan out what we are going to do for a show and make sure it works with practice.
What is the best thing about being in a band? The worst? Is it different from what you expected when you first started?
Schraeder: The best thing about being in a band is the chemistry. Being in a band involving musicians that are so stylistically diverse is pure luck, and the bond following is a blessing. We work so well together, and I think that most bands often take that element for granted. Having previously studied as a classical musician, a drummer, and having tested the waters with EDM, being a frontman in hardcore is never the first guess from people I meet. So, when I joined forces with the band, I had just learned extreme vocals and it was lengths more complicated than I’d expected. Jumping right in was the hardest part I’ve faced, because I thought being tumultuous and rowdy were the only two demands of being a frontman. Throwing in technique, practice, and heaps of confidence, I’d say maintaining the frontman role is the biggest challenge I’ll continue to face. It’s all a blessing and a curse, but it’s what I live by.
Ryan: The absolute best thing about being in a band is the group of guys I work with. I couldn’t pick a better, more cohesive collection of artists with whom I would want to collaborate. We have also been really thankful and lucky by surrounding ourselves with positive minded people. The worst part about being in a band is just the trivial bullshit that comes with working/being so close to the other members. Whenever you spend too much time with someone, you start to spat a little bit. Our arguments are never viable or mean anything, but we bicker like brothers for sure. Taking a step back and looking at that really makes me wish that factor didn’t exist.
Kevin: The best thing about being in a band is that these four other guys I share a stage with are my best friends and make me push myself to be a better musician everyday. The biggest challenge for me is trying to come up with something fresh when writing music or dealing with writer’s block and not being able to contribute.
Jacob: The luck that we’ve come across with everyone getting along so well is great. I’ve seen so many bands break apart on bad terms because someone was too full of themselves or something of the sort. We have a great tight knit group of brothers here. The hardest part of being in a band also ties in with my expectations. The higher we climb, the harder it becomes to be a successful musician. But we’ll break through and hit the top.
Dylan: The best thing about being in a band is being able to write music for a living. It feels good to perform music that you help write and seeing people’s reactions just puts a smile on my face. Sadly, the worst thing is trying to write music when there is tension between members, which prevents you from writing music in the first place.
What does OWTL do during live shows to keep the audience engaged? What live shows does the band try to emulate?
Schraeder: I talk to the crowd, read their body language, and break the ice. I have a very stern energy that would get many people riled up, so I try to maintain the aggressive movement/gestures. You’ll see me having the crowd throw up the horns, fists, or the middle finger salute. Depending upon the crowd, I might 2-step, spin, or jump. My method of keeping the audience engaged centers on what they are used to and want to see. I try to emulate Mitch Lucker, Phil Bozeman, Travis Ryan, Tim Lambesis, David Byrne, Zach De La Rocha, Aaron Matts, Craig Mabbitt and Jonathan Davis.
Ryan: I try to be as wild and humorous as possible. I support Schraeder’s energy in engaging with the crowd, and I’d like to consider my role focused upon encouraging crowd participation. While Schraeder is more serious and luring, I like to lighten up the mood with funny noises and gestures often. We sometimes trade jokes, and we depend upon crowd energy. The live shows I emulate are similar to Bullet For My Valentine, Breaking Benjamin, Killswitch Engage and Miss May I.
Kevin: I try and just go as hard as possible. I’ve had shows where I’ve done more harm to my own body for the sake of being as energetic as possible. Any shows that stick out in my mind that I try to emulate would be Slipknot, The Word Alive, and Lamb of God.
Jacob: I guess I could be considered the “headbanger”. I didn’t grow all this hair out for nothing, you know? Sometimes, if the venue is small enough, I’ll jump off stage and do some crowd interaction. Seeing the look on people’s faces when I jump down and start pushing people in the pit is pretty satisfying, haha.
Dylan: I try to keep a crowd engaged with us either before a song or during a break in the song. Just headbanging is enough to keep people entertained. We try to emulate old school metalcore bands like As I Lay Dying or Killswitch Engage, just some high energy and heart pumping performances.
How has the band evolved since you formed in 2015?
The band has come very far since we’ve formed, and we’ve changed our style quite a bit. While staying pretty upbeat, we’ve managed to dial in some of our earlier influences. You hear melodic, fast, high-octane riffs from us and we went through a lot of structural and musical discipline to get there. So, switching things up has made some great things happen. We want to show the world our sound coming straight out of the Mile High City, and we’re glad people are picking up on what we’re going for.
What has been OWTL’s greatest achievement?
Aside from a growing fan base, our greatest achievement has been to earn the privilege of working with so many talented professionals, specifically signing with Shawn Barusch at MGI and working with Dusty Boles of Square One Studios. Hopping on our hometown dates of Xandria’s Theatre of Dimensions Tour really opened our eyes as well, and we feel that was our biggest set of shows yet.
Tell us about each band member’s first instrument and how each of you got it. Do any of you still own it?
Schraeder: My first instrument was a drum kit, although I played in wind ensemble throughout grade school and brought a Euphonium home often. I own pieces of the drum kit, haven’t played it at all though.
Ryan: My first instrument was an acoustic guitar that I received as a gift in 3rd grade. I unfortunately don’t have it anymore since my dog snapped the neck on it years ago. Totally would rock the junior scale guitar on stage though!
Kevin: My first instrument was a guitar, I asked for one for Christmas and got it that same year; I still own my first guitar along with the other ones I’ve collected.
Jacob: Back in the good old days of 2009 when Guitar Hero was still cool (or at least, that’s what I told myself) my parents got tired of watching me play the game on expert mode for two years. So for my birthday, they took me on a surprise trip to Guitar Center and bought me my first Fender Squire. Needless to say, I can’t play Guitar Hero nearly as well anymore. I still pull it out for some at home practice every once in awhile.
Dylan: My first instrument is my current four string that I still play at every show. It’a still a great instrument in great condition
Describe the typical OWTL fan.
Black skinny jeans, vans, long hair, classic metal shirts, jerseys, and sports apparel.
Most fans we’ve encountered are young balls of energy who love the driving adrenaline of all sorts of metal music. We also attract nerds, being that’s in the OWTL DNA, so you’ll see many Nintendo shirts or anything resembling Game of Thrones if not the typical wardrobe. We have never played a set that was completely serious, and usually keep things light-hearted and humorous for our crowds, so you may see various wacky things like off-brand t-shirts with witty dad jokes.
Can you show us each band member’s most embarrassing yearbook photo?
How does the band stay on track during practices? How often does the band practice?
We practice once a week and typically Kevin is the worst about staying on track during practices, being the obnoxious drummer. However, each member has a mischievous idea to pull off every time. Ryan stands on Dylan’s cabinet, Jake plays songs with Ryan on his shoulders (you can see that on our Facebook page), and sometimes Dylan and Jake take advantage of their wireless systems and walk around outside of the practice space with their instruments without anyone noticing. One time, Jake climbed a tree during a song and no one else noticed until Schraeder looked out the window. We immediately pulled out our phones to throw that up on Snapchat.
What is the most awkward thing a fan has said to a OWTL member after a show?
A fan asked all of us to sign their reproductive appendage, in a slight joking manner but low-key hinting their seriousness. We all signed his chest instead. I mean, you have to get something, right?
What is the most awkward thing a fan has said to a OWTL member after a show?
Schraeder: Jake and I asked Shane Blay (Oh, Sleeper, Wovenwar) on behalf of the band if he remembered kissing a buddy of ours on the forehead after a one-off they played. Our friend had showed us the video of the moment that was absolutely hysterical. It wasn’t as funny unless you were in the situation, so it was another awkward moment where we decided turning around and heading for the bar was a smart move.
Most of the band is shy, so we’re sure everything we say is awkward. With that said, it’s hard to find the most awkward thing a member has said to another band or band member.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Our plans for the rest of the year are to tour and launch the record we’ve been working on. We are not holding back with what’s coming next, so be prepared.
