The music industry is like nothing else. Let’s face it, to be in this business for a while you need to be a little off. Our new friend RJ Okay from Falcon Heavy continues to prove this stereotype right. He is one of us.
We caught up with the interesting psych-rock songwriter to get a deeper look into his mind. Enjoy the interview here:
First off, tell us about the name Falcon Heavy?
“Hawkwind” was already taken, so what was I supposed to do?
How would you describe your sound?
Distinctly American dark psychedelic rock. Like seeing the ghost of Sasquatch driving a 1970 Dodge Challenger past Amboy Crater beneath the full moon, with a Wendigo in the passenger seat.
Which bands have had the biggest influence on your development?
My friends and their bands, mostly… Dead Meadow, The Dandy Warhols, Rick Bain, Immigrant Union, Warlocks, Spindrift… I definitely would not be doing this if not for them. Other than that, Stooges, Velvets, Stones… the normal stuff.
You have worked with some well known West Coast bands. Tell us about those experiences?
There’s nothing wrong with work, but I’d much rather play. And none of those were paranormal experiences, so what’s it even matter.
Your upcoming album seems like a new direction. What can you tell us about the new Falcon Heavy?
It absolutely is, because instead of that old cliche of getting high and making music, I went all the way down this time — seriously. This album was recorded at 223 feet below sea level, on the edge of a great lifeless sea, in Bombay Beach California. With that elevation, it’s actually the American city with the closest proximity to hell — so the creative energy and the temperature are both just off the god-damned charts there.
How does a song come together for you? What is your songwriting process?
Same as everyone else — be just about to fall asleep, when suddenly an amazing song appears in your head. Think “Man, I should record/write this down before I doze off. Nah, there’s no way I’ll forget something THIS good”, then go to sleep and wake up and don’t remember any of it, and instead write something way dumber.
Share some advice for other artists creating their own unique music?
Make it weirder.
What does the future hold for Falcon Heavy?
Everything we know is going to change, except for the scorching of the fires, and the steadiness of the hand which guides the wheel. Also, if we’re lucky, we might see a ghost.
