The Obelisk Questionnaire: Zack Oakley of Pharlee, ex-Joy, Volcano, Etc.
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Zack Oakley
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I do what makes me happy, which is making records. I’m 34 now and I feel like I’ve had plenty of time to make a mess, clean it up and reflect on what it is that fulfills me. I’ve had my time of recording records, booking tours and making a huge effort to promote the product, and for whatever reason, that never worked out all that well. So, instead of grinding my gears into dust I decided to stop and rethink the process. These days I am mostly focused on creating. That was what drew me to music in the first place: the creative process. It’s the most cathartic thing in my life, so that’s where I focus my energy. I completed a year-long audio engineering program in 2020 here in San Diego and I now feel like I’ve collected the most important pieces of the puzzle- I can write, demo, re-record, produce and mix my own music on my own time on a minimal budget. In terms of the creative process, I’ve never felt more free and flexible. The first product of this new work-flow is my new solo record “Badlands” which I put out in September 2021.
Describe your first musical memory.
My folks would put on The Beatles during long road trips with the family. I have two younger brothers and we’re all very close, so those trips were memorable in a lot of ways. We were really young so piling in the car for long drives to some camping destination was a blast. I remember singing along to “Back in the USSR” like it was a scene from a movie.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Playing The Tilburg Roadburn festival in 20ti8 was the most stimulating and inspiring musical experience that I’ve ever had. I usually get restless on tour because we only get to play for an hour or so every night, which usually doesn’t feel like enough time. But that year, every band that I was a part of was booked at the festival. Volcano played one set and Joy and Pharlee each played two. A lot of our hometown friends were booked as well, so we all mobbed each other’s stages and watched each other play from behind the amps or sitting on the drum risers. It gave the atmosphere a fun and informal vibe, which elevated the performances all around. Kikagaku Moyo and Earthless played an unforgettable improvisational set that year as well. I remember when Mario slowly stood up from his kit after the jam ended, walked over to the gong, raised the mallet and paused with his hand in the air — everyone lost their minds. When he hit that thing it felt like the entire auditorium collectively exhaled. It was the coolest musical moment I’ve experienced and the most well-deserved gong hit I’ve witnessed.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Everyday. I used to believe that people were, or at least attempting to live their lives based on love, inclusivity and understanding. That now seems crazy to me.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Everywhere and nowhere at the same time! I know that I have progressed artistically in my life. I have the high school era demo tapes to prove it. But does it lead to any extra peace-of-mind or happiness to have made “progress”? I don’t think so. It’s the day-to-day meditation and ability to live in the moment through playing my instrument that has intrinsic benefits. To a third party observer, it may look like dedication, but I consider it more of a healthy addiction. Progress just seems like an unintentional symptom of that addiction.
How do you define success?
If I find out I’ll let you know.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Saw some horrendous highway scenes while on the road in the states with my old band. One in particular that has turned into somewhat of a core memory that I sometimes wish I could erase. Buckle the fuck up y’all.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’d like to record an album that acknowledges all of my musical interests. I’ve been mining a lot of musical caves over the years and have yet to put them all on the same piece of wax. It’s coming though. That’s the main goal moving forward.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To remind the observer that their time is limited and beautiful.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I’ve been back in school now for almost 3 years working towards a bachelor’s of science in nursing. I still have always to go but being this engaged in higher education has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have worked a lot of tough, dead-ends gigs that don’t pay enough to live comfortably in San Diego. A lot of those gigs leave me too burned out to play music. It felt like I was burning the candle at both ends. Really looking forward to finishing this phase so I can live comfortably in my home town and continue my creative journeys.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072279469172
https://www.instagram.com/zack.oakley/
https://zackoakley.bandcamp.com/
https://zackoakley.com/
https://kommunerecords.bandcamp.com/
http://www.kommunerecords.com
