OTEP PAPER
This is a paper I wrote about OTEP for one of my classes. Enjoy.
Otep Shamaya is a recording artist, writer, poet, activist, but is most commonly known as the front woman of the band OTEP. I first discovered OTEP while watching Fuse TV. At the time Fuse was playing a show called Uranium which is where OTEP caught my eye. They played the music video for the song “Warhead” which got me hooked. Research ensued; I needed to figure out more about this band and this woman.
I found the main OTEP website (www.otep.com) and learned it is extremely helpful in promoting positive messages and keeping the fans informed in all things OTEP. It even states “This is a place for fans to connect, create, and celebrate the music & message of OT3P.” [THE LEGION]. One can even see what Otep is doing with her updates from Twitter, MySpace, and her personal blog I’m Not a Monster. She even went as far to create her own websites such as Girls out Now, a lesbian social networking site and All Shapes and Sizes, a site to help build self confidence and self esteem. She is very interactive with her fans, considering she had a web cam [Ustream] which recorded studio sessions in creation of the fourth CD Smash the Control Machine, which is a line from a William S. Burroughs poem [Citizen Celeb]. "We started doing the Web cam broadcast when we started recording the record, broadcasting in the studio all day long. People were waiting in the chat rooms before we even started and they'd stick around all day, just watching." [Lubbock Online]. An estimated more than 13,000 hours of live and archived footage has been watched by fans since OTEP set up this seemingly simple web cam idea. “The webcam chats are very important to me and connect me to my fans in a much more personal way, they get to see the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the recording process and I get to share the more intimate moments of creativity with them. Spending a little time with them is my way of thanking them for their belief and support.” [BrainGell Radio].
At last, I found out that OTEP was on tour and that there was an OTEP concert in the area. I knew immediately that I needed to go. It took me a few years to learn all I know about OTEP, including getting their CD's, learning the terms used by fans, and even trying to make my friends (including almost anyone else) an OTEP fan as well. I had received tickets for the concert on my birthday so then I was 100% sure I would be going, including one of my best friends. The actual day of the concert I was so excited. I checked the times and venue again, making sure it was still correct. We arrived at the concert early, but it seemed forever until the rest of the opening bands would stop playing. As time passed later into the night OTEP was coming closer and as the crowd and I grew impatient we all started saying "Otep" repetitively, hoping the band and Otep herself would come out soon. In fact, OTEP did not even have a demo out, but was first signed based only on their live performance [VICTORY RECORDS]. It has been described as “a total and complete mutiny on the senses” as they are inspired by various types of music [Citizen Celeb]. My friend and I tried to move closer to the stage, but of course with the rising eagerness throughout the night, Otep herself had to be the last band member to appear. Within playing the first song, a mosh pit had started, causing me to grab my friend and defensively put her behind me, not caring if I was pushed or hit. Despite the protective attempt, we still had gotten pushed backwards by the crowd. As the concert continued I was interactive and openly sang along with the songs, but furthermore realized that at an OTEP show was where it all made sense. The messages in Otep’s music were now lucid. This is where everything that I had learned had finally come together. “But we warn you, this music, our message, and these lessons are not for every soul. Some will be devoured. Others reborn.” [I’m Not a Monster]. This was not just being at any other rock-type concert listening to music; this was conclusively listening and being involved with art. “Art for art’s sake. Indeed.” [I’m Not a Monster]. When the show was over, sadly, I did not want to leave the venue. Everyone else had already left to go home, while I was still staring at the stage. The band was gone and part of the crew had come to take away the equipment that was still there. My friend told me to come on and that we had to leave, so I walked out of the venue and headed to the car. Yet at the car I paused before getting in, looking back once more at the venue. I knew this would not be my last OTEP concert.
Otep Shamaya is a recording artist, writer, poet, activist, but is most commonly known as the front woman of the band OTEP. I first discovered OTEP while watching Fuse TV. At the time Fuse was playing a show called Uranium which is where OTEP caught my eye. They played the music video for the song “Warhead” which got me hooked. Research ensued; I needed to figure out more about this band and this woman.
I found the main OTEP website (www.otep.com) and learned it is extremely helpful in promoting positive messages and keeping the fans informed in all things OTEP. It even states “This is a place for fans to connect, create, and celebrate the music & message of OT3P.” [THE LEGION]. One can even see what Otep is doing with her updates from Twitter, MySpace, and her personal blog I’m Not a Monster. She even went as far to create her own websites such as Girls out Now, a lesbian social networking site and All Shapes and Sizes, a site to help build self confidence and self esteem. She is very interactive with her fans, considering she had a web cam [Ustream] which recorded studio sessions in creation of the fourth CD Smash the Control Machine, which is a line from a William S. Burroughs poem [Citizen Celeb]. "We started doing the Web cam broadcast when we started recording the record, broadcasting in the studio all day long. People were waiting in the chat rooms before we even started and they'd stick around all day, just watching." [Lubbock Online]. An estimated more than 13,000 hours of live and archived footage has been watched by fans since OTEP set up this seemingly simple web cam idea. “The webcam chats are very important to me and connect me to my fans in a much more personal way, they get to see the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the recording process and I get to share the more intimate moments of creativity with them. Spending a little time with them is my way of thanking them for their belief and support.” [BrainGell Radio].
At last, I found out that OTEP was on tour and that there was an OTEP concert in the area. I knew immediately that I needed to go. It took me a few years to learn all I know about OTEP, including getting their CD's, learning the terms used by fans, and even trying to make my friends (including almost anyone else) an OTEP fan as well. I had received tickets for the concert on my birthday so then I was 100% sure I would be going, including one of my best friends. The actual day of the concert I was so excited. I checked the times and venue again, making sure it was still correct. We arrived at the concert early, but it seemed forever until the rest of the opening bands would stop playing. As time passed later into the night OTEP was coming closer and as the crowd and I grew impatient we all started saying "Otep" repetitively, hoping the band and Otep herself would come out soon. In fact, OTEP did not even have a demo out, but was first signed based only on their live performance [VICTORY RECORDS]. It has been described as “a total and complete mutiny on the senses” as they are inspired by various types of music [Citizen Celeb]. My friend and I tried to move closer to the stage, but of course with the rising eagerness throughout the night, Otep herself had to be the last band member to appear. Within playing the first song, a mosh pit had started, causing me to grab my friend and defensively put her behind me, not caring if I was pushed or hit. Despite the protective attempt, we still had gotten pushed backwards by the crowd. As the concert continued I was interactive and openly sang along with the songs, but furthermore realized that at an OTEP show was where it all made sense. The messages in Otep’s music were now lucid. This is where everything that I had learned had finally come together. “But we warn you, this music, our message, and these lessons are not for every soul. Some will be devoured. Others reborn.” [I’m Not a Monster]. This was not just being at any other rock-type concert listening to music; this was conclusively listening and being involved with art. “Art for art’s sake. Indeed.” [I’m Not a Monster]. When the show was over, sadly, I did not want to leave the venue. Everyone else had already left to go home, while I was still staring at the stage. The band was gone and part of the crew had come to take away the equipment that was still there. My friend told me to come on and that we had to leave, so I walked out of the venue and headed to the car. Yet at the car I paused before getting in, looking back once more at the venue. I knew this would not be my last OTEP concert.
Tags: otep, assignment, concert, essay, etc, fuse, ot3p, paper, show, uranium
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Mack on -
very good paper, deserving of an A. You are a true fan.
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Permalink Reply by ChefWalley on -
its an okay paper but i like the fact you love otep so thats what counts
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Permalink Reply by Thorn on -
Thank you (Michael).
(Chef) Representing my love for Otep. Spreading the word. SS4L. :)
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Permalink Reply by Kellie Collins on -
Felt like I was reading a magazine article... Thanks for the experience :)
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Permalink Reply by Woodchopper on -
I think they need to pre-sing it to her..
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