OOP Frequently Asked Questions 

  1. WHAT IS ODOR OF PEARS?

    2. OOP is a music, multimedia, & performance art group.
     
  2. WHO DOES WHAT IN OOP?

    3. Joe K. writes and performs the instrumental music.  Diana Blackwell writes and performs the vocals, and does most of the stage performing.   Russell does the projections and lighting during live shows, as well as the website and most of the graphics for posters and packaging.
     
  3. WHERE DID THE NAME ODOR OF PEARS COME FROM?  WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

    4. Diana made it up.  She says, "The pear is that which is desired."  There are as many interpretations as there are interpreters.
     
  4. HOW DID OOP START?

    5. Joe and Diana met in grad school and began doing music together.   Russell joined OOP to form the current line up in 1990. 
     
  5. HOW DOES OOP CREATE MATERIAL?

    6. Usually Joe comes up with a musical idea first, and Diana writes words to go with it. Visuals for packaging or the stage come third.  There are exceptions. "Cage" began as a staging concept, and "Factory" began as a slide show.
     
  6. WHAT STYLE OF MUSIC DOES OOP DO?

    7. Most observers agree that OOP's music is extremely original.   Some consider it a new type of gothic (possibly because OOP's themes are often dark).   Others think OOP is doing something qualitatively new, by combining music, multimedia, and theater into dark rock cabaret.
     
  7. HOW MUCH PREPARATION GOES INTO AN OOP SHOW?

    8. Usually it takes two or three months to put a new show together.   This includes writing some new songs, tinkering with some old songs, designing staging concepts, and creating all the necessary props, costumes, and visual effects. The show is then rehearsed every day for a week. 

    © Odor of Pears 2004, Rev: 02/10/04