More Amor
If you have been involved in the Southern California/ Las Vegas music scene these last 5 years there’s a good chance you have heard about the band More Amor.
Tom Oakes, ex-guitarist and songwriter for The Higher, started More Amor in 2008 with Kyle Lobeck, since then they have recruited guitarist Rami Jrade as an official member.
Living down in Southern California has a major influence on their songs; singing about beaches, waves, Hollywood, and coastlines in songs such as; Young Hollywood (“Your eyes are like the sunset telling lies on Santa Monica’s sight”), to O.B. Forever (“There’s something that’s purely entertaining watching the waves just crashing”), to Beach Bones (“Lately when the sun falls down in LA it’s the summer of our love”).
Following their last two releases (“More Amor” and “Thanks?”) and various mini-tours, they have released their newest EP “In Spanish”. The first single off of In Spanish “Beach Bones” features longtime friend Ryan Ross (formerly of Panic! at the Disco/The Young Veins). The accompanying video was shot in Santa Monica, by Nick Slatkin and Matt Fink.
SONGS TO LISTEN TO: Little Bit, Young Hollywood, Fold It Up, Like Monday, Beach Bones
Interview with Tom Oakes. Photography by Dirk Mai
How did More Amor come together? Would you say it was an organic union, or were you all looking to start a band?
Kyle and I had been best friends for some time and we both had previously quit our other bands. I came home from a tour and just told him we should start a band and move to LA and see what happens. I kind of knew what I wanted the sound to be, so we’ve been writing songs and here we are 5 years later still chasing that dream, making those sounds.
You guys were once just Tom and Kyle, with one guitar and backing tracks, but have since gotten a backing band. Are they officially members of More Amor now or are they just for the live shows?
Rami the guitarist is an official member. The other guys have been in the band for some time but we’re kind of pushing the band as a three piece. Three’s a charm.
How would you describe More Amor’s evolution from your first album “More Amor” to “Thanks?” to your newest EP “In Spanish”?
I’d say it’s been pretty cohesive, I think as far as lyrics go I’m smarter and I’ve gone through a lot more, so I have more interesting things to talk about. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and the things we’ve done over the past few years. I believe us getting older and maturing shows in the sound. We’re definitely progressing, I think.
What’s the writing process like? Is it an individual thing that comes together over time, or is it a group effort?
It begins with me pretty much writing a complete song then Kyle usually listens, comes up with his vocal vibe and harmonies and the rest of the guys kind of add suggestions or cool parts to make the song seem cooler from the idea that originally birthed.
Was the writing process the same for “In Spanish” as the previous albums?
The only thing different about “In Spanish” was I moved away from LA to Vegas for 6 months and basically secluded myself writing songs. It was at a strange time in my life and I wasn’t sure if we were doing the band or not. I needed a break from LA so I got up left and just started writing. I finally called Kyle one day and was like “man I miss this, let’s try to do this thing again.” He said he was down and after that phone call I basically wrote the first 4 songs on that record in a week.
Is there any interesting backstory in how the songs came to be?
In Spanish, the first 4 songs are about myself pretty much. I always would write about a girl, or love, or some other object on previous songs. This time I was reflecting on what I had done over the past year, what I wanted and where I was. It was interesting to kind of take a look at myself and write about me looking at me. I guess “Lottery Or Something” is about us coming back together as best friends/band mates and hoping for something glorious to happen. I’d also really love to win the lottery, I try so hard.
One of the songs off of “In Spanish” (Beach Bones) features Ryan Ross, formerly of Panic! At The Disco, how did this collaboration come up?
Ryan has been one of our best friends for almost 8 years now. We’ve written a ton of songs but that one kind of just stood out to us. We actually did it a year before In Spanish was released and we’re kind of just sitting on it. When we decided to do the EP we were like let’s throw beach bones on it. Next thing you knew we had a rad video and people were responding greatly to it.
How was it performing the song live with Ryan Ross at The Starting Line’s ‘Say It Like You Mean It’ show in December in Los Angeles?
So rad to see him on stage again doing what he does best. It was a real good moment for all of us to be a part of. That whole experience was such a good time for us, finally felt like we were doing something right and being on stage made sense.
You guys have a reputation for singing about beaches in a lot of your songs, how does living in L.A/ Las Vegas impact your creativity?
I lived in San Diego for a tiny bit when I was younger and my mom still lives there. Spent a lot of time down there and still do. The west coast is the best coast and how could you not be inspired by southern California. It’s full of so many beautiful things.
Does it put a lot of pressure on you knowing there are so many other bands down in Southern California trying to stand out and break into the music industry?
No, I think every band does their own thing. If you’re good, you work hard and catch a tiny break or have a little luck you will be fine. I used to think it was a competition but it’s not. Every band is going to do what they’re going to do and it’s not going to affect your success.
Have you gotten any interest from labels wanting to sign More Amor?
We’ve had some people sniff around and talked to a few but that’s about all. We definitely want the help, but it needs to make sense. We both have been signed with our old bands and things didn’t necessarily go the way we wanted. We’re open to whatever just in no mood to rush.
Do you have a memorable moment or fun story you want to share?
I’d say playing The Starting Line shows and then singing a verse on their song “Ready” That’s probably my favorite song of theirs and the lyrics just make a lot of sense to what we’re going through and what’s happened.
What’s your favorite song of yours? Why?
Probably “Little Bit” It was one of the first songs we wrote and it was at a time I was really into this girl and I was so much younger and so ready to take on the new More Amor adventure. The way the recording came together too really made me happy and that certain girl that I still didn’t get! It was just a real nice moment and people still love it. We actually played it stripped down at our last show and it brought back many memories. “Lottery Or Something” also has a special place in my heart, because we’ve been through a lot together and that song pretty much sums up the feelings of it all.
What song or songs would you say represent your band the most?
Young Hollywood because that’s who we were when we moved to LA and Heart cause that’s kind of where we are now. I think they both sonically and lyrically represent what our band is about as well.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned working in the music industry?
Never be jaded or give up. If you believe in yourself don’t complain and keep working. Something is bound to happen if you stay positive.
Has there been a specific night a show really sticks out in your memory?
Playing in Vegas last November was cool for us, all of our friends and families came out and it was kind of like our go at it again. We wanted to show everyone that we were still doing this and we’re still serious. I think we killed it and it felt really good to see everyone seemed impressed with what we were still doing.
What’s next for More Amor?
Playing shows, writing new songs, hopefully a new EP in the next few months. Going to try something a little different maybe and hopefully find a home where we can tour everywhere sensibly and get our music out the way it should be. I really want people to hear this story. It’s so hard these days without financial help or management or anything really but we’ll just stay positive and hopefully everything lines up the way we imagine. Thanks and go buy our records and tell somebody about us. <3
