Review Fix Exclusive: Time Thieves’ Mike Oberlin Talks ‘Space’ And More

Review Fix chats with Time Thieves’ Mike Oberlin about the band’s new single and album.

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music? 

Mike Oberlin: I got a meatloaf bat out of hell tape when I was 5 for Christmas or something like that, and it started with the feelings listening to music gave me . I have no nostalgia for that record at all but I remember sitting in the backseat of my parents car zoning out on headphones, and I’ve tried to put words to that ever since, but haven’t ever been able to. It’s personal but extremely shared at the same time. The first time I felt there was something else. Like god but real.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like? 

Oberlin: 4 beers and a couple two, tree hitters. Let the universe do it’s thing. As far as putting the first couple songs together, it was very intentional departure from other bands we are in or have been in. (To us of course, maybe it sounds exactly like our other bands) We had a sound we were going for and it wasn’t until all the members were in place that the vision was realized.

Review Fix: What inspires you? 

Oberlin: The limited amount of time we have. Getting older, finding out you won’t have all of your body or all of your brain forever. I’ve looked back and said where did that year go so many years I have no interest in that any more. Too many things mean so much right now to be passive about living, and loving.

Review Fix: What does music mean to you? 

Oberlin: Everything. It’s the life line to reality. It’s the reason everything else stacks up. Without it, there is no reason. It’s why we are heading where we are. It needs to be fought for. It, like other art, cannot be taken for granted. We are in a really complex fight right now and everyone weighs in on different levels. music is a common language that can link these people and goals together.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you? 

Oberlin: Humble rock music with a bunch of pretty vocals. It’s supposed to be catchy. Once we had all 4 voices in place it really took it to the level we were searching for. We have a lot of fun playing together, and despite how disjointed the writing of these songs was, these songs come across seamless and full. 

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work? 

Oberlin: Hopefully there are more people there to hang out with. When you have as many layers as we do, the live sound tends to be nice and full. There wasn’t too much, if any, studio magic. So hopefully not too much difference

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single? 

Oberlin: Being weird cause why not. Try and throw a real popsicle out there. 

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2020? Get this goddamn mother fucker out of office. 

Review Fix: What’s next? 

Oberlin: Who fucking knows at this point. We are really pumped that the album was able to come out and we just take it day by day. Annie lives in Washington so we don’t really get to practice together. We are working on a wonderful Kate Bush cover.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?  

Oberlin: Everyone look out for each other. This hard for everyone, with a little understanding we can get through.