Valley band Oweihops—singer/songwriter and guitarist Michael Metivier, drummer and multi-instrumentalist Aric Bieganek and cellist Rebekah Dutkiewicz—know how to set a mood. Inspired by the likes of Neil Young, Will Oldham, and hometown heroes The Scud Mountain Boys, the trio combine elements of folk and indie rock with a bit of country twang to evoke a more rustic atmosphere: think sitting around a woodsy cabin, passing a bottle and playing a few tunes by candlelight.
Oweihops have released three albums—Chickadee (2005), Cinquefoil (EP, 2007), and Viburnum (2009)—with a fourth in the works. Metivier took some time for a back-and-forth in advance of his band’s opening slot for the legendary Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses) June 3 at the Iron Horse in Northampton.
Advocate: How did you start playing music?
Metivier: When I was in first grade, I wrote that I wanted to be a rock star and a dump truck driver when I grew up, and I probably learned to read from the liner notes to Lionel Richie’s first solo LP. My grandfather bought me a $10 classical guitar at a flea market when I was in high school, and I slowly taught myself by playing Grant Lee Buffalo songs. It’s still a slow process.
What is the origin of the band’s name?
I dreamed the word six or seven years ago. The words scrolled beneath what was happening. I was a Tom Sawyer-like character who was being chased by other schoolboys, and I hid in an old silver Airstream trailer to escape them. Through the window of the trailer, I saw “oweihops” outside in the yard. I wondered what it meant and decided that oweihops were chickadees. Then I woke up, wrote the word down, and went back to sleep.
What brought you to the Valley?
I met my wife when I was living in Chicago and working at the Old Town School of Folk Music. We decided after a while that we would be happier living in a place where we could go hiking and didn’t have to drive for two hours to get beyond the billboards and corporate parks. I grew up in Worcester County, so there was also an incentive to be closer to my family.
How did adding Aric and Rebekeh change your music, or approach to writing?
It changed my songwriting completely, knowing that I didn’t have to bear the whole melodic and rhythmic weight. They’re both so intuitive and quick to come up with ideas and colors for the songs . I think over the course of the few years we’ve been playing together—we’ve been playing more and more with pacing and dynamics, where songs can be loud and harsh one minute, then tiny and hushed. It’s pushing the newer songs further from singer/songwriter-y structures into something slightly more oblique.
Tell me about your upcoming show with Kristin Hersh.
I had a dream last night about it where I was in tears telling Kristin Hersh about how much her music has meant to me. I saw Kristin play with Vic Chesnutt, another absolute hero of mine, at the Iron Horse years ago, and Hips and Makers was one of the first CDs I ever owned when I was in high school.
Anything else in particular that Advocate readers might want to know?
Answering these questions has made me realize how much dreams have been an influence. We have a song inspired by a week where I was having recurring dreams about punching people in the face. It’s one of our prettiest songs.”
For songs and shows, visit www.myspace.com/oweihops.
