One Year Delay aka OYD, is a newcomer from Greece, which they’re taking their first steps into the music business. The band’s debut release has left us with many good impressions and we contacted the bassist George Manesiotis so as to learn more about OYD and their debut album among other things…
Hi George. Welcome to Grande Rock. Do give us a brief bio of the band…
G: Glad to be here! Well our adventure started in the spring of 2012 when Nick and Orestis decided to form a band. The band’s musical choices were different back then and gradually, each new member started contributing in terms of composition, lyrics etc., so eventually we all came to a point to agree we don’t wanna restrict ourselves within the limits of any genre. The critical point about the band has definitely been our decision to record our album with Toby Wright in Nashville...
You’ve been a band since 2012 and yet your first album was released this year. How long did the whole process take? I mean recordings, mixing and mastering?
G: Recordings lasted a month of everyday hard work, from the 2nd of November to the 2nd of December 2014. Mixing took roughly a month and the album was ready around late January after Andrew Mendelson finished with the mastering process.
Is it harder for a rock band to be away from Athens or due to technology there’s no such issue anymore?
G: There is no doubt that communicating back home was easier than it would be 20 years ago... However we knew where we were going and we were focused on our job which was our priority. Also Nashville is the “it” place for musicians and being a beautiful city too, it made us feel very comfortable and have fun in and out of the Broadway bars!
I must say I find the name One Year Delay a bit unusual for a band, how did you land it?
G: The idea came up after Sotiris (drums) entered the band a year after the guys formed it and they felt like starting over. From this point and on, due to some weird coincidences, every major event that has to do with the band tends to happen after the period of roughly twelve months! So we felt we got no options but keeping the name since fate is probably involved!
Now about the name of the album, why “Deep Breath”?
G: After all the obstacles we had to overcome, in order to fulfill our dream of recording with a legend in America, we felt that ,literally and metaphorically, our first reaction had been taking a deep breath. So to us, it represents the whole “odyssey” from Greece to America and back home.
Could you elaborate the idea behind the album’s cover? Why the roots of a tree? Are you trying to make a statement about the things going on underground that nobody knows about, or is it something completely different?
G: It is something completely different but kudos to you for your approach!!It might have been an equally good idea!! What we see on that cover is a representation of a human lung arterial system and so you can see the connection to the “Deep Breath” concept... We have always known about the dubious impression of our cover, yet listening to all kinds of different explanations is something we still enjoy! Apart from that we wanted to show that music and art is something subjective.
Do give us a hint about each track…
G: “Gunpoint”: A statement on war and its actual causes through the eyes of a sniper.
“Headhunters”: A fictional story about the thoughts of a person on the run that is being chased after some hitmen for messing with the wrong guy.
“Truth, Dare, Despair”: Frustration and obsession about a personal issue of the modern neurotic individual.
“Water Under the Bridge”: Being a bigger person on life’s challenges and keeping moving forward to the end. The show must go on.
“Miss You”: Thoughts and feelings about the loss of a beloved person. Based on a true event...
“Try to Stay Alive”: That’s about people that instead of trying to be or do something to improve their life they would rather pull you down so they can feel better with themselves...
“5m, 9k”: This song is about the inner fire that motivates you to defy all obstacles and keep following your dreams no matter how high they might be laying.
Walk us through your writing process please.
G: Usually it is an idea on a riff that initiates the process and lyrics follow... After this riff is approved each member will try to add its part and in the end, we all contribute by giving ideas on ear candies and other final additions.
How was working with Toby Wright? Why did you choose him to mix your album?
G: No need to describe the level of this producer. He is considered as one of the top producers worldwide and not from metal fans only. Moreover we particularly liked his work and we grew up with his musical collaborations with all these bands. So, needless to say, at the moment he agreed to work with us we reacted like kids that are going to Disneyland for the first time! Working with him was a unique experience as he is able to combine professionalism and intimacy at the same time. In general we felt like home and the whole recording experience has been priceless to us...
Are you planning to release a music video for any of these songs?
G: It is included in our plans but currently our priorities don’t allow us to deal with this issue... It will happen sometime in 2016, I guess...
What do you wish to achieve with One Year Delay at long term?
G: Our main objective has and will always be to play everywhere around the globe. To make people happy by performing for them and fill up large concert venues or stadiums. Also, knowing that someone, somewhere in a remote part of the earth is enjoying our music is another thing that keeps us dreaming...
What are your plans for the future? Are you planning a tour in Greece?
G: Actually we are working on this part right now and we are also checking some options on a few European gigs. Nevertheless things are far more difficult when it comes to booking a gig than it used to be. Recession has been a pain in the ass for every field and music business could not be left out of it...
When can we expect another album from you?
G: We are always working on new material and so far we have three new songs almost finalized and another three half way. The way I see it cannot happen in 2016 since the bar is raised and we are very thorough with upcoming compositions. I can promise you though that we take experimenting to a new level compared to our previous work...
How did you cooperation with Pavement Entertainment occur?
G: Since the genre we are dealing with is more popular in the States we thought it would be a good idea to search for an American label. The guys from Pavement were quite collegial to us from the beginning and we liked them too. So we still have a good cooperation between us.
How would you describe today’s Greek rock/metal scene? Any complaints?
G: Well, despite the financial torment we are going through for the last 6 years there are always bands that pop up around Greece. There are two main sub scenes that prevail and they are “stoner” music and on the other hand you got thrash metal, which came back with a vengeance. Generally you will face some skepticism in case you try to go “out of the borderline” when it comes to metal, in particular. Nonetheless there is still a good percentage that is seeking for a variety or for a more radical sound.
Time for our weird questions!!! People say that today’s technology makes it a lot easier for bands around the world to record and promote their work using the internet. Do you agree with that?
G: It sure does... Unfortunately, the money a band saves nowadays taking advantage of technology is not equivalent to the amount of money it will gain by rights or income...
Are there any interesting or funny stories about any of the song in the album that you would like to share with us?
G: That would be the story of how the song “5m 9k” got its title but I’m afraid I cannot tell this one right now... sorry!
If (knock on wood) there was a fire in your house and you only had time to save three albums which would they be?
G: That’s a really tough one! Oh, well... I will try to keep it within the metal area: a) Pantera – “Vulgar Display of Power”, b) Megadeth – “Rust in Peace”, c) Fear Factory – “Demanufacture”.
If you could live in any decade in human history which would you choose and why?
G: The interview is about to become really spicy now!! OK, I pick 30 A.D. in order to participate in an orgy with Caligula and his posse and then torture that sick fuck in a far more inventive way than he used to do onto others! I would then go forward to the 20s to get some serious therapy by Sigmund Freud! (i.n.: That’s freakin’ bizarre!)
If you could share the stage with any person or band (alive or dead/ still together or broken up), who would it be and why?
G: That would be Pantera because up to this day they are still unbeatable in my opinion, with S.O.D. as my second choice.
Describe in 5 or fewer words what the following bands mean to you
Slipknot: True disaster pieces!
Tool: Enter 21st century rock.
System Of A Down: Tons of energy. One of a kind.
Korn: Very effective, sick, groovy, still fresh in a way...
Drowning Pool: Cool dudes, cool music.
Pantera: The saviors of heavy music, unsurpassable, R.I.P. Dimebag...
Sepultura: My personal favourite in my early years.
Slayer: If war had a musical dimension it would sound like Slayer.
Black Sabbath: First there was only Black Sabbath, “big bang” followed...
Faith No More: Innovating, bold, marked the 90s...
One Year Delay: Melting pot!
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
G: “That was hilarious!”…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
G: That would be Sofia Vergara. I mean come on! Have you heard her talking?
Thx for talking to Grande Rock, George. Any last words? Rock on dude!
G: We would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak through your site and also thank your followers for reading this interview. Hopefully we will meet at a gig somewhere on earth! Cheers!
G: Glad to be here! Well our adventure started in the spring of 2012 when Nick and Orestis decided to form a band. The band’s musical choices were different back then and gradually, each new member started contributing in terms of composition, lyrics etc., so eventually we all came to a point to agree we don’t wanna restrict ourselves within the limits of any genre. The critical point about the band has definitely been our decision to record our album with Toby Wright in Nashville...
You’ve been a band since 2012 and yet your first album was released this year. How long did the whole process take? I mean recordings, mixing and mastering?
G: Recordings lasted a month of everyday hard work, from the 2nd of November to the 2nd of December 2014. Mixing took roughly a month and the album was ready around late January after Andrew Mendelson finished with the mastering process.
Is it harder for a rock band to be away from Athens or due to technology there’s no such issue anymore?
G: There is no doubt that communicating back home was easier than it would be 20 years ago... However we knew where we were going and we were focused on our job which was our priority. Also Nashville is the “it” place for musicians and being a beautiful city too, it made us feel very comfortable and have fun in and out of the Broadway bars!
I must say I find the name One Year Delay a bit unusual for a band, how did you land it?
G: The idea came up after Sotiris (drums) entered the band a year after the guys formed it and they felt like starting over. From this point and on, due to some weird coincidences, every major event that has to do with the band tends to happen after the period of roughly twelve months! So we felt we got no options but keeping the name since fate is probably involved!
Now about the name of the album, why “Deep Breath”?
G: After all the obstacles we had to overcome, in order to fulfill our dream of recording with a legend in America, we felt that ,literally and metaphorically, our first reaction had been taking a deep breath. So to us, it represents the whole “odyssey” from Greece to America and back home.
Could you elaborate the idea behind the album’s cover? Why the roots of a tree? Are you trying to make a statement about the things going on underground that nobody knows about, or is it something completely different?
G: It is something completely different but kudos to you for your approach!!It might have been an equally good idea!! What we see on that cover is a representation of a human lung arterial system and so you can see the connection to the “Deep Breath” concept... We have always known about the dubious impression of our cover, yet listening to all kinds of different explanations is something we still enjoy! Apart from that we wanted to show that music and art is something subjective.
Do give us a hint about each track…
G: “Gunpoint”: A statement on war and its actual causes through the eyes of a sniper.
“Headhunters”: A fictional story about the thoughts of a person on the run that is being chased after some hitmen for messing with the wrong guy.
“Truth, Dare, Despair”: Frustration and obsession about a personal issue of the modern neurotic individual.
“Water Under the Bridge”: Being a bigger person on life’s challenges and keeping moving forward to the end. The show must go on.
“Miss You”: Thoughts and feelings about the loss of a beloved person. Based on a true event...
“Try to Stay Alive”: That’s about people that instead of trying to be or do something to improve their life they would rather pull you down so they can feel better with themselves...
“5m, 9k”: This song is about the inner fire that motivates you to defy all obstacles and keep following your dreams no matter how high they might be laying.
Walk us through your writing process please.
G: Usually it is an idea on a riff that initiates the process and lyrics follow... After this riff is approved each member will try to add its part and in the end, we all contribute by giving ideas on ear candies and other final additions.
How was working with Toby Wright? Why did you choose him to mix your album?
G: No need to describe the level of this producer. He is considered as one of the top producers worldwide and not from metal fans only. Moreover we particularly liked his work and we grew up with his musical collaborations with all these bands. So, needless to say, at the moment he agreed to work with us we reacted like kids that are going to Disneyland for the first time! Working with him was a unique experience as he is able to combine professionalism and intimacy at the same time. In general we felt like home and the whole recording experience has been priceless to us...
Are you planning to release a music video for any of these songs?
G: It is included in our plans but currently our priorities don’t allow us to deal with this issue... It will happen sometime in 2016, I guess...
What do you wish to achieve with One Year Delay at long term?
G: Our main objective has and will always be to play everywhere around the globe. To make people happy by performing for them and fill up large concert venues or stadiums. Also, knowing that someone, somewhere in a remote part of the earth is enjoying our music is another thing that keeps us dreaming...
What are your plans for the future? Are you planning a tour in Greece?
G: Actually we are working on this part right now and we are also checking some options on a few European gigs. Nevertheless things are far more difficult when it comes to booking a gig than it used to be. Recession has been a pain in the ass for every field and music business could not be left out of it...
When can we expect another album from you?
G: We are always working on new material and so far we have three new songs almost finalized and another three half way. The way I see it cannot happen in 2016 since the bar is raised and we are very thorough with upcoming compositions. I can promise you though that we take experimenting to a new level compared to our previous work...
How did you cooperation with Pavement Entertainment occur?
G: Since the genre we are dealing with is more popular in the States we thought it would be a good idea to search for an American label. The guys from Pavement were quite collegial to us from the beginning and we liked them too. So we still have a good cooperation between us.
How would you describe today’s Greek rock/metal scene? Any complaints?
G: Well, despite the financial torment we are going through for the last 6 years there are always bands that pop up around Greece. There are two main sub scenes that prevail and they are “stoner” music and on the other hand you got thrash metal, which came back with a vengeance. Generally you will face some skepticism in case you try to go “out of the borderline” when it comes to metal, in particular. Nonetheless there is still a good percentage that is seeking for a variety or for a more radical sound.
Time for our weird questions!!! People say that today’s technology makes it a lot easier for bands around the world to record and promote their work using the internet. Do you agree with that?
G: It sure does... Unfortunately, the money a band saves nowadays taking advantage of technology is not equivalent to the amount of money it will gain by rights or income...
Are there any interesting or funny stories about any of the song in the album that you would like to share with us?
G: That would be the story of how the song “5m 9k” got its title but I’m afraid I cannot tell this one right now... sorry!
If (knock on wood) there was a fire in your house and you only had time to save three albums which would they be?
G: That’s a really tough one! Oh, well... I will try to keep it within the metal area: a) Pantera – “Vulgar Display of Power”, b) Megadeth – “Rust in Peace”, c) Fear Factory – “Demanufacture”.
If you could live in any decade in human history which would you choose and why?
G: The interview is about to become really spicy now!! OK, I pick 30 A.D. in order to participate in an orgy with Caligula and his posse and then torture that sick fuck in a far more inventive way than he used to do onto others! I would then go forward to the 20s to get some serious therapy by Sigmund Freud! (i.n.: That’s freakin’ bizarre!)
If you could share the stage with any person or band (alive or dead/ still together or broken up), who would it be and why?
G: That would be Pantera because up to this day they are still unbeatable in my opinion, with S.O.D. as my second choice.
Describe in 5 or fewer words what the following bands mean to you
Slipknot: True disaster pieces!
Tool: Enter 21st century rock.
System Of A Down: Tons of energy. One of a kind.
Korn: Very effective, sick, groovy, still fresh in a way...
Drowning Pool: Cool dudes, cool music.
Pantera: The saviors of heavy music, unsurpassable, R.I.P. Dimebag...
Sepultura: My personal favourite in my early years.
Slayer: If war had a musical dimension it would sound like Slayer.
Black Sabbath: First there was only Black Sabbath, “big bang” followed...
Faith No More: Innovating, bold, marked the 90s...
One Year Delay: Melting pot!
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
G: “That was hilarious!”…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
G: That would be Sofia Vergara. I mean come on! Have you heard her talking?
Thx for talking to Grande Rock, George. Any last words? Rock on dude!
G: We would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak through your site and also thank your followers for reading this interview. Hopefully we will meet at a gig somewhere on earth! Cheers!