Rising Stars: Meet The Odyssey

Today we’d like to introduce you to The Odyssey. Them and their team share their story with us below:

The Odyssey is an alternative rock band that reflects on the nature of this world and what lies beyond. The Odyssey is for the stargazers. Music that is born from nature and meant to be blasted with the windows down and the wind blowing. To look into space is to look into one’s self. It is a mirror. There is wisdom in the world around us; The Odyssey is inspired by this phenomenon.

The Odyssey was founded in Tulsa, OK, in 2016 by Cobey Brown (frontman/guitarist) and Derek Johnson (guitarist/keys). The band made its humble beginnings playing acoustic shows in coffee shops around Tulsa. Longtime friends before the founding of the band, Cobey and Derek were simply sharing the joy of playing songs they loved on guitar in high school. As more opportunities began to roll in, however, it became apparent that the love of creating music and putting art out into the world was something that should not be ignored. And it wasn’t ignored. It was time to grow.

2018 was the year that things changed for The Odyssey. The band had its first taste of a true rock concert; finally, a night during which they were not asked to “be quiet,” but quite the contrary. On June 12th, 2018, at the late, great Spinster Records in downtown Tulsa, The Odyssey saw sparks. They let loose a raw and exciting performance for a new and enthusiastic crowd. The Odyssey unveiled their now-classic song, “I Love You Back,” for the first time, along with many others.

Since then, The Odyssey has continued to grow. Thanks to a wonderful fan base and support system, The Odyssey has found success not only in Tulsa but all around the Midwest. Steadily expanding to new cities and releasing new music, they would find the band was becoming something bigger. The band has found so much love in the cities surrounding their hometown, including the wonderful scene of Kansas City.

The Odyssey’s first show in Kansas City was something straight out of an indie coming-of-age movie: a house show on March 21st, 2019, at the “Swamp House.” Issac Samayee hosted an explosive show in his home featuring Kid Computer, The Odyssey, and The Moose, and this basement show could not have been a better introduction to the type of scene that Kansas City is known for.

The Odyssey took the stage for a room full of people who had never seen them, but at that moment, they may as well have been The Odyssey’s biggest fans. The audience was enthralled by the music and was extremely supportive of the band. After such a great night like that, the band was eager to come back as soon and as often as possible. As The Odyssey continues to return to Kansas City, playing venues such as The RINO, Westport Coffee House, and Manor Records, they know it as a second home. They are always blown away by the support that this community has to offer. Whether playing to returning listeners or new ears, they continue to appreciate the atmosphere and love in Kansas City.

Over the past few years, The Odyssey has finally found its permanent members: Quinton Hoagland (bass), Kyle Devers (keys/sax), and Aidan McCormick (drums). As the band came together as a complete 5-piece, the bigger picture began to fall effortlessly into place. Five musicians with distinct styles and creative processes now make up the unique medley that is the sound of The Odyssey. Their live performances are even more striking and tight. The music is collaborative and tells the stories of their lives.

Amazing opportunities are becoming available. The Odyssey has just released “The Sky is Falling,” the final single to precede their long-awaited debut full-length album. The band will return to Kansas City, and with much more to show the growing community. Now is the best time to be finding The Odyssey’s music, as its debut album releases this year. Listen to “The Sky is Falling” now to hear a taste of what is to come!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Starting young meant having to prove themselves as artists, but the things that didn’t go as expected ended up in the band finding the area they were really meant to be in. The best example of this is the cancellation of their tour in Spring 2020 due to COVID lockdowns. It was definitely a big blow to the momentum the band had at the time, but it forced the band to contemplate its next moves and brought them to new creative heights.

They have emerged from the difficulty of getting through these times with a plan and with better music than they have ever had before, going on their first Midwest tour this summer and finally redeeming the lost shows of 2020. Everyone struggled during the pandemic and it was extremely difficult to lose the opportunity to play live. However, music comes from the heart, and that is something that can’t ever be taken away.

Many of the songs on the coming album were written during the throes of the pandemic and have brought so much more meaning to the band.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The Odyssey writes music meant to inspire self-discovery. This makes the release of new music and playing live shows some of the most gratifying experiences for the band and its audience.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years the music industry will continue to become more inclusive, and as a result, artists can feel more empowered to share their art. For The Odyssey, this has meant setting their sights on becoming full-time musicians. The platforms on which artists reach their audiences are constantly evolving and becoming more accessible.

Hopefully, as artists become more empowered, the treatment of independent musicians will improve and continue to be validated. The world relies on art more than some people may realize. It is what gets us through life. Art is what makes life worth living, and what makes us feel heard. Hopefully, in the future, the value of this is realized enough for artists to have a sustainable life of creating their art.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/theodysseymusic
• Facebook: Facebook.com/TheOdysseyOK
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXbsYbfjkBfKCcf-OynRewA
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iCbvobkUXURA6R28xZkia?si=3Sx6mY0JRgaSm0t57Nmjvw

Image Credits
Jaden Da Rosa and Garrett Randol