An Interview with Labrys
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Labrys, originally the solo project of Penny Pitchlynn, has turned into a full blown live music experience hailing from Oklahoma City. Penny’s tenure in the music scene spans across more than a decade and has grown from open mics to international venues. This homegrown musician has landed music features in shows like Reservation Dogs and Better Things and that’s only scratching the surface. The band will be going on tour this summer hitting cities across the west coast. In this interview, Penny provides insight behind the formation of Labrys and encouragement to younger artists working in the scene today. This blog features their “10:10” album that released February 2, 2024.
Who are the members of the band and what do they play?
Penny Pitchlynn - Guitar and Vocals - who is the one filling out these questions…
Billy Reid - Drums
Tim Gregory - Guitar
Ben See - Bass
How long have you all played together?
Billy’s played in LABRYS since 2021 and Ben joined in 2022 and Tim just joined last fall.
How can people find you?
Can you share the story behind the formation of your band?
LABRYS initially was just my solo songwriting project. I wasn’t really trying to do a lot of live stuff because I was super busy with BRONCHO and spent most of my time at home recovering from long stints on the road. I enjoyed, and still enjoy, the collaboration of the band. Since Ryan Lindsey is the principal songwriter in BRONCHO, I needed to keep a space for my own voice, so I started LABRYS. The live set was solo or with Nathan Price (from BRONCHO) on drums until later in 2021. After some personnel changes, we landed as a three piece with Billy and Ben and I. Then Tim played a couple songs with us one night when we played with HKS and I asked him to come on board. The new record, and really everything I’m demoing right now, is so guitar centric I couldn’t imagine playing them live without another person playing the licks. So now we are a four piece and it’s fucking awesome.
What influences have played significant roles in shaping your sound?
I don’t know how to pinpoint this exactly. I listen to all sorts of stuff. I know whatever was on the radio between the years of 1995 and 2005 left a mark. Seems like I’ve carried some of these melodies with me forever.
How does the music writing process work for your band? Who writes what? How do you produce?
I (Penny Pitchlynn) am the singular songwriter in LABRYS, but I’ve always co-produced with Chad Copelin in the past. I usually get a demo as far along as I can without starting to hate the song. Once I have enough of those demos, I get in the studio and go. Sometimes stuff from the demos lives on in the final product, most of the time parts are replayed with more suitable sounds than what I have in my little home studio world.
What are you listening to lately?
Trip hop and white noise
What insight or advice would you share to younger artists trying to establish themselves in music?
There are a million ways to be “in music” and some make more bread and butter than others. If you intend to make a LIVING with music, be creative. Keep multiple burners on low, so you don’t burn out. Take your time. Make good music BEFORE you market, but market. Be patient. Find mentors and surround yourself with people who are motivated in a similar direction. Support others and let others support you. For your own mental health, try not to measure yourself too much. When you do, be realistic about growth and timing. Most importantly, be kind to yourself while you’re building something out of nothing.
Is there anything you want people to know about supporting musicians?
BUY MERCH! Buying merchandise directly from a band on the road is probably the most direct way you can support a band other than just handing out cash (which we absolutely love, so do that too if you want).
Catch Labrys at the Opolis this Friday May 31st at 8PM for the venue’s second listening room experience called Opolis Sessions. Tickets are available online and at the door. Seating limited to 40 people.