A-Sides Exclusive: Ozwald Talk Us Through ‘Head Movies,’ Pandemic Planning, and Premiere New Video “It Was”

I hate the term “side project.” It implies you’re simply moonlighting by doing something else. One doesn’t just do something they’re passionate about “on the side.” I don’t book bands for show — back when you could — because it was simply something to do. I enjoyed doing it, and didn’t half ass it. I don’t write books just to kill time. And clearly musicians who belong to established bands don’t venture out and do something else just for gits and shiggles. Take Ozwald for example. This duo of Lifehouse’s frontman Jason Wade and guitarist Steve Stout. They are whole assing this project Ron Swanson style. They just released their third record, Head Movies, off their ALLSWELL Records, and it plays quite beautifully — sort of if Wilco married MGMT and had a baby with Broken Bells and then called their friend The Monkees and was like “hey, wanna all jam together?” Well, not really. But, it’s melodic trippy fun with a subtle weightiness to it that makes it one of the year’s best records.

Last night, Aug. 12, the duo sat down for a chat via — what else — Zoom and discussed Head Movies and whatever else came up. Obviously, pandemic times were at the forefront of our head space but so was the status of Lifehouse, the fate of rock venues, the love of Star Wars, video games, Phoebe Bridgers, and other random thoughts. Watch the video interview, get the album, and stay sane. Oh, and I buried the lede. The boys were so kind to debut their brand spankin’ new video for their album’s closing track “It Was.” Revel in it. Music has a wonderful way of making us forget about almost everything.

“It Was” A-Sides Exclusive Video Premiere