Unlike many newcomers on the Nashville music scene, Oblivion Myth brings roughly
thirteen years of experience to the playing field. The band has played in multiple states
around the country, and boasts a massive following of roughly 8500 on Facebook alone.
Some of the many states the band has played in include Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, and
Indiana.
But band manager, owner, and guitarist – Keith Smith – has seen his fair share of states
even without the band. Keith hails originally from Illinois, but also lived in Florida
before moving to Tennessee. “I got sick of hurricanes,” he jokes. “I went through too
many...”
For more than a decade, Keith has managed the band almost singlehandedly, while
holding down a job in video production. “We don’t have a record company,” he explains.
“I’m pretty much the manager… We have a lot of professional contacts who are
interested in us, but no one is officially onboard.”
When asked how the band built up such a large following without professional help,
Keith laughs. “I don’t know,” he answers. He then explains that the band has tried to get
their music onto a lot of internet radio. The band has also done interviews with radio
shows, and magazines – including one magazine in Germany called Rock Hard.
Keith says that this is likely how the band has grown its following over the years. “You
have to be social. Do as much as you can on social media, and then hope it spreads like
wildfire… I’m trying to get to know as many people as possible. You know the saying it’s
who you know - but the people who know you is more important.”
As a result of these efforts, the band’s fans come from not just Nashville, but also France,
Italy, Japan, Germany, and Sweden.
But what draws people to Oblivion Myth from all over the world? Probably the band’s
unique sound. “There’s no one else in town that’s doing what we’re doing, and we’re
doing what we love,” says Keith. “We don’t try to be different. We do what we like and
what comes natural [sic], and hopefully people like it.”
Oblivion Myth embodies old school heavy metal – the sound of Iron Maiden, Dream
Theater, and Black Sabbath. In spite of this metal background, the band is also heavily
influenced by the band members’ Christian faith. “We’re a Christian band. That’s who
we are and what we stand for.”
The band also values the importance of family, as Keith explains the obstacles that come
with being in the music business later in life. “Most of us are in our 40s and early 50s,”
he admits. “We have families and priorities. When you’re young, you can live out of your
car. But at our age you can’t, when you have teenagers, a wife, and a home.”
Still, the band loves to travel and looks forward to a tour-packed 2017. “We’re up for
performing anywhere and anytime in 2017... We will not turn down a venue, but we
would really love to play at a festival. We want to get in front of as many people as
possible.”
Oblivion Myth’s second album Inside the Mirror will be available on June 18, 2016.
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