LOCAL LIMELIGHT
Figuring out a name for your band can be difficult, but for Evan Oberla, all it took was a bike ride to have a name pop up in his head — Eyope (Elevate Your Own Personal Expression). For Oberla, 32, it’s a reminder to celebrate everyone’s success and promote peace.
The Columbus native moved to New Orleans five years ago, where Eyope formed. The band started as a trio with Oberla (trombone, keyboards, vocals), Mitchell Deitrick (bass) and Jason Holt (drums). As they started performing live and recording songs, Eyope rounded out its sound with the additions of George Wilde (guitar, synthesizers) and Ari Kohn (saxes, flute, percussion).
The band plans to release a six-song EP, “Elevation,” in the fall, and Oberla is looking forward to returning to Columbus to perform on Wednesday at Woodlands Tavern.
Q: How would you describe your sound and style?
A: Avant groove and horns and sound. I had a band called Evan Oberla Project; it is basically an extension of that band but with more feelgood groove and dance music. It is also inspired by Columbus and New Orleans music.
Q: What have you learned from leading a band?
A: It's freeing. It is a lesson in not having to do too much. When I started this process, I pretty much did everything. No one else was going to, but now, as the idea and vision has gotten to where it is now, I have taken a hands-off approach and trusted my brothers in arms to do what they do, which is why I wanted to do that because I trust them and their opinions. … I don’t have to carry the building blocks or carry the flare or torch to the top. These guys have great ideas. We know how the process goes. I have also learned patience.
Q: What differences or similarities do you see in the music scenes between Columbus and New Orleans?
A: They are both similar in that they have close-knit communities. There are lots of artists crammed into a smaller space, and there are lots of different music scenes — funk, blues and noisy scenes. It's cool because Columbus also has different scenes and everyone knows each other, or you will know them eventually. The main difference
between them is New Orleans is a more deeprooted culture because it was the birthplace of jazz and that permeates through the city. Also, you can play more shows in New Orleans, whereas in Columbus there are not as many gigs.
Q: When you are writing and recording a song, how do you know when you have created a potential single?
A: It definitely has to go through a wringer of people and the band. … Once a song is written, and people dig it and it’s fun to play, I’m down for whatever. I want to keep bringing songs into the world.