CINCINNATI, OH. (www.ovalopus.com) - Cincinnati-based rock band Oval Opus continues to tour relentlessly in support of their new live CD, recorded last year at the
20th Century Theatre in the band's hometown. The live CD immediately followed the release of Oval Opus' self-titled EP, the band's fourth release overall. Their current tour itinerary includes a showcase at the NACA Southeast Region Convention.
When it came time to begin writing songs for the EP in the winter of 2004, Oval Opus decided to take a different approach. The band made several trips to New York to work with the production team Pop Rox. Pop Rox has worked with legends such as Carole King and created breakthrough artists like Michael Tolcher and Toothpick.
In the spirit of Sheryl Crow's "Tuesday Night Music Club" the band first embarked on a series of "in the round" group writing sessions that included the likes of Jill Cunniff (Luscious Jackson), Boots Ottstedt (Tim McGraw), and Danny Kortchmar (James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel, Don Henley). These seasoned writers teamed with the band members and Pop Rox (Sam Hollander and Dave Schommer) to create the most solid, mature music Oval Opus has yet created, and effectively announced their arrival as a viable force in the music industry.
Oval Opus' explosive live show has turned the heads of many fans, critics and concert promoters, prompting the demand to record a live album. They were awarded "Best New Artist" and "Cincinnati's Favorite Band", and Johnathan Mosko of Xavier Newswire exclaimed that it is "only a matter of time before you see them on David Letterman or the Billboards Charts." Oval Opus averages close to 150 shows per year in 25 markets and has produced and released five albums, Wagonwheel (1998), Oxygen (2000), Red Sky Recovery (2002), self-titled EP (2004) and the live CD (2004).
Like their name implies, Oval Opus is on a journey. An Oval is a never-ending elliptical shape, and an Opus is a musical work. The band continues to tour, sharing the stage with such acts as Sister Hazel, O.A.R., Edwin McCain, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, Vertical Horizon, Guster, The Calling, The Pat McGee Band, Fastball, and Rusted Root as well as headlining shows to a growing regional fan base. The band also continues their musical journey, honing their sound and songwriting.
Tour Dates:
10/15: Fort Wayne, IN @ Columbia Street West
10/16: Dayton, OH @ Canal Street Tavern
10/20: Granville, OH @ Denison University (students only)
10/22: Chicago, IL @ Wise Fool's Pub
10/23: Akron, OH @ Jillian's
10/28: Columbus, OH @ Scarlet & Grey Café
10/29: Cleveland, OH @ Hard Rock Café
11/04: Kent, OH @ The Outpost
11/04: Albion, MI @ Albion College
11/06: Oxford, OH @ Brick Street
11/13: Athens, OH @ Blue Gator
11/19: Bowling Green, OH @ Howard's
11/24: Cincinnati, OH @ Top Cat's
