Interview with Jonathan Ogle of Kessler

by Rebecca Clark
Static Noise
http://www.staticnoise.net

There are some people you meet in life that you know the minute you meet them that they are extraordinary. All five members of Kessler have this special something as people and as musicians. I have never seen an up and coming band have so much passion and conviction for their music and their fans as Kessler does. The whole band is amazing and takes time after their shows to meet their new fans and make connections with them. Kessler cares about developing these new friendships and make their fans feel appreciated.

Kessler’s music is a mixture of pop and rock and they appeal to all types of listeners including Christian rock and modern rock lovers. Their songs are well written with catchy hooks. Kessler knows how to rock live as well. The passion they have for their music pours out of their souls when they are on that stage. Kessler is serious about their music, but they still know how to have fun and make everyone have a good time at their shows.

Be sure to check out Kessler sooner rather than later because you don’t want to miss out on getting to know this band and of course hearing their remarkable and inspirational music. www.myspace.com/kesslerband or www.kesslerband.com

Kessler is from Dallas, Texas. Members: Mike Mitchell (vocals), Steven Tucker (Guitar), Jonathan Ogle (drums), Chris Mitchell (bass), Devin Reynolds (guitar).

Static Noise: What made you want to become a musician? Was there a defining moment?
Jonathan Ogle: my mom beating me until I would sit behind the drums and keep rhythm for her piano playing in church... haha

SN: When did you decide that you wanted to make music a career?
Jon: That desire is in every musician but there comes a point when you say hey this could actually happen... and then it births a whole new set of feeling, emotions and questions in you.. like 'how am I going to survive?' and 'when can I stop eating at taco bell every meal?'

SN: How do you think you have grown as an artist since you first started performing?
Jon: Playing every day brings instinctive differences in your playing... you don't have to think as much and passion just bleeds out more as your love increases. That will ultimately create a better sounding musician out of you... at least I hope.

SN: I know you guys are finally releasing your much awaited debut album on July 8th and you had a lot of delays, what has been the biggest challenge during that time?
Jon: Staying energized on a never-ending project is tough. We have gone through the touring life of our first van from midway when we began the recording to just last week before our cd has been released... that's a lot of time... In the same regard your soul gets weary of the same songs every night and so forth but it is bringing us now to excitement because the day is finally here... Its tough watching a kid who saw you and loved you buy another band's cd just because you don't have one to sell them...

SN: Can you give me any details about why you guys came back to LA to re-record the album again? (or any “story” behind that whole process)
Jon: Wow... umm... that's a long story... with alot of perspectives from each person but we never had a chance to finish our record to our satisfaction and it was sort of taken away from the band being the creative influence behind it... so after we battled through that with the powers that were, we gained that back and with the help of Jeff our Engineer and Jim our Producer we feel it ended up stronger than if we hadn't gone through that process.

SN: What is the story behind the whispers and bell ringing at the intro and ends of some of the songs? (Devin told me when I see the album artwork it will come together but if you have anything to add please do!)
Jon: yep.... album artwork... we wanted to try to piece together a story within the album that meaning can be drawn from... The name of the album is I Know Your Voice and we really sat down and thought of all the implications that could mean to so many people and felt we wanted to ask people who they were letting influence their life and their love... I know a phone ringing doesn't answer that for someone or whispers aren't going to enlighten anyone, but I hope it makes people ask the question to themselves...

SN: Take me back to the first time you performed on stage together…where was it? What were you feeling? And how did it go?
Jon: mmm first major performance together was at club 412... we played a battle of the bands and one... I don't know how because we were hideous... maybe we were cool for the time but dear God, I hope that wasn't taped.

SN: Who is your hero/inspiration?
Jon: Justin Land from a band called Honestly... he helped us produce our first demo and his music poured into our lives and stretched our writing and he has been an awesome friend and role model.

SN: What has been your biggest achievement so far? (personal or career)
Jon: The fact that we are still together and have an album coming out says alot... from just a little while back that was our life dream... to have an album out and in stores and to be able to do this is awesome... That is really easy to lose sight of, but that is awesome to us.

SN: Do you guys have any nicknames for one another?
Jon: besides expletives... no...

SN: What do you do to pass the time while on tour?
Jon: We have an ongoing conversation that Stephen is really proud of instigating... It's basically Music Death Match, where we decide what band could beat up what band or what singer could slaughter another... but it usually ends in an argument when I hold that Avenged Sevenfold can't be beat by anyone at all period...

SN: You guys seem to all click like brothers, is that how it was when you first all met each other? Or did it happen over time?
Jon: well 2 of the guys are.. Mike and Chris... so that didn't have to happen much over time... they didn't really get much of a say in it... haha... We haven't always been like that, and it’s still something we have to work on. we are learning day by day about how to strengthen each other and cover each other’s weaknesses. and as Jack Shepherd would say, "If we can't learn to live together we're just going to die alone."

SN: I know some of you guys have tattoos…pick one of your favorites and tell me what it is and why you got it.
Jon: I'll defer that to the ones who have them... but I’ll spout out that my faves of theirs are the ones I designed..

SN: What is your favorite color? Tell me about it.
Jon: right now it would be Teal... I don't know i'm just in a teal kind of mood...

SN: What do you enjoy most in life? Enjoy the least?
Jon: I enjoy being passionate about anything with purpose... it can be a number of things, playing on stage, selling a tshirt, disc golfing, designing... whatever... but enjoyment comes from having a deeper sense of purpose and passion about all that you do. I hate getting gas... not just because of the price... but just having to take time out of your day and pull over and pumping... I mean there is never a good time for it or anything... it basically sucks altogether...

SN: What have been the most exciting, personally rewarding moments of creating?
Jon: Having someone else sing the lyrics to your song.. especially when you don't know them...

SN: What is your dream gig/tour? (who would be on it with you)
Jon: dream tour... mmm... that might be different for everybody but collectively Jimmy Eat World, Goo Goo Dolls, Honestly if they were still around... that'd be fun...

SN: What new artists do you know/love (besides you guys of course) that you think deserves more attention?
Jon: Bidwell is a great band, Capital Lights, Children 18:3 and Write This Down... we played with all these guys, but they are solid.

SN: What album/artist has been on repeat on your IPOD/cd player these days?
Jon: same bands... hahaha... MGMT, maybe FTSK

SN: Do you have any last words/comments?
Jon: no...

Jon: thanks rebecca...

For more information or information on pr-ordering their album I know Your Voice please visit their myspace www.myspace.com/kesslerband or their official website www.kesslerband.com