Interview: Over & Out

I recently had the opportunity to interview the indie/folk-punk band Over & Out. Originating in Buffalo, NY, this five-piece band is made up of Pat Holland (drums), Andy Geib (Bass), Bryan Dennee (keys), Sally Schaefer (violin/vocals), and Rob Stiglmeier (guitar/vocals). We talked about the band’s inception, adapting to life as a band during COVID-19, and their plans for the future.

Over & Out’s Inception

Over & Out has been playing together since February of 2018 after Rob posted a video of an original song on social media with a caption asking if anyone would be interested in putting something together musically. “Pat, Andy, BD, and I all responded saying it could be a fun project,” Schaefer says, “though initially there was no talk of whether or not this project would turn into a band.” After meeting together several times the next month, the band was officially created.

Over & Out had their first show in July of 2018 at the Rosen Krown in Rochester, and their first EP, titled “It’s Fine…I’m Just Tired,” was released in February of 2019. The full-length album “Fear Love Anxiety” came out the same year – a tremendous feat for such a new band. 

Avid fans of “The Twilight Zone,” the band named itself after an episode titled “Probe 7: Over & Out,” which revolves around a combination of biblical themes and science-fiction tropes to explain the beginning of human life. Over & Out’s own inception has resulted in a combination of different genres that the band describes as “grim folk.” The combination of indie, folk, and punk influences were prevalent in the success of the June 2019 release “Fear Love Anxiety.” Stiglmeier’s writing style has similarities to Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, and many people compare the group to Flogging Molly, largely due to Sally’s fiddling. 

Band Members & Process

Each member of the band had their own unique journey toward becoming the musicians they are today. Schaefer and Stiglmeier got into music at a young age, crediting their fathers’ love for music and talent as inspiration for their music. Dennee purchased his first keyboard at 12, and Geib, inspired by punk music, began playing an instrument at 13.

Holland, on the other hand, credits his love for music fo the way it made him feel. “It sounds cliche,” he says, “but it was an escape from my everyday life when I was younger. Listening to music and hearing that there are other people that experience and feel the same way I do at such a young age was a positive thing for me and made me fall in love with it.” His love for drumming comes from a drum kit from Toys “R” Us, which had him hooked after a week of using it. 

Regarding the creative process, each band member has a hand in the band’s music. Typically starting with Rob’s framework for a song, each member then works to form the final product. Writing to serve the music, as Holland says, results in the band’s cohesiveness and ability to function creatively.

“Each member is integral to the process,” Dennee says, “as the music loses its wholeness when one member is absent.” Maintaining full control over their respective parts results in the band almost always making a song work. Band members share the same pride for all of the music the band has released and the caliber of work they’ve produced in such a short amount of time. 

Being a Band in the Time of Coronavirus

As a result of COVID-19, Over & Out has had multiple canceled shows from March through August. They were looking forward to opening for Harley Poe and The Homeless Gospel Choir in Buffalo, but the show was rescheduled for November.

“As for the other postponed shows, we are waiting to reschedule until we know more details as to how the live music industry is going to start up again,” Schaefer says. “Aside from missing live shows, we have obviously also felt the setback from not being able to practice together.” 

Despite the difficulties Over & Out has faced during the last few months, there are plans in the works for the band to start working on a brand-new album. So stay tuned!