An experienced guitarist and a budding vocalist have formed Audio Omen, a classic rock band that writes and records original material. The International Falls duo note that to be a full-time Borderland band means that they cannot survive on club gigs alone.
Audio Omen was founded by Joe Tilander, a lifelong guitarist who works as a technician for The Computer Fix in International Falls. He also applies his technology background to his music and made the additional investment of building his own home recording studio.
“We want to take it to the next level and I have purchased a lot more gear,” said Tilander.
Jeff Morrison, vocalist, began singing at age 10, but never joined a band. He is also a computer technician and runs a own home-based business, IFallsPC.com. He joked that the two are competitors in their day jobs.
Morrison met Tilander a while back through mutual friends and was called in to help form Audio Omen. He said this is a big first step and is eager to move the band forward. Once they find the musicians to complete the group then they can pursue the goal of becoming a full time touring band.
“We are just starting to put something together,” said Morrison. “We’re going to make it happen.”
Tilander hesitated to classify the Audio Omen as a classic rock band, as it implies that they perform covers of the old standards. The label still fits their style, however, as he calls it “straight edge, no frills rock and roll.”
“It’s new, but it’s not metal,” he added, calling it a modern version of the old school rock style with some “funky effects.”
The two invited area musicians to try out and they are still looking for a bass player and a drummer.
“We want to be on stage and we want to be a full band yesterday,” said Morrison. “But, we have to be patient and get the right people because it will be somebody that you’re going to have to be with for a long time.”
Putting together a band is difficult. Tilander said musicians need time to feel comfortable and the patience to work with others. It’s difficult when an outstanding musician comes in and just cannot gel with the group. Other times, they find people that just aren’t ready.
“There is a certain level tension that can be expected with five guys in a room,” he said. “We keep it business like, but we don’t mind the joking around and stuff.”
As a recording engineer, Tilander is looking for studio musicians with virtuoso skills. They need to interpret his music and lay down their own lines and offer several versions of the same song.
“So that they are adding to what we already have,” he said.
The two rehearse three nights a week using a Backus Community Center classroom. They also spend a lot of time recording at Tilander’s home studio.
The recordings will be placed online and available for sale as soon as they are ready as a digital download or hard copy. Online sales through popular band Web sites help make a national or international audience before ever touring to other cities.
Tilander started learning guitar at age 13 and took lessons from Gary Hooker, a local music teacher. He continues taking advanced lessons today from Lou Samsa, a professional musician based out of Bemidji.
“He is a professional and an exceptional musician,” he said.
Tilander also teaches beginning guitar and said he relates with and learns from his students that want to play like their idols. He keeps them interested by showing them some riffs they can learn early on to encourage them to keep working on the basics.
“The biggest thing I tell them is that they need to practice everyday,” he added.
Morrison enjoys that Tilander can put music to his lyrics. He is now transitioning a poetry hobby into another songwriting market. He is just as anxious to perform on stage, however, and wants to build a fan base to sell their CDs.
Tilander, on the other hand, enjoys the recording experience and finds it exciting to listen to something that he put together. He also has some on-stage experience as a fill-in guitarist with area bands.
“It is really exciting to play in front of people and watching their expressions,” he added.
The idea of touring is something completely different, he said. That is the goal, but right now it will be about finding local venues where people want to listen.
For more information about the band, contact Tilander at 218-324-1106. Visit the band online at audioomen.com or at myspace/audioomen.
