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Self-described quirky rock band Oh!Kelly has a new EP, “Coming Down,” coming out and a show Friday at The Pearl. Jared O’Kelley talked to the Times about what a long strange journey it’s been.
What’s the biggest challenge about making an album?
The biggest challenge of making an album is the time and money.
The biggest challenge of making this record, is that we went through a production schedule nightmare. This record has been ready to release since October 2018. By the time it was ready I was burnt out. I had a mental break down last January after some repressed PTSD showed its ugly head, and it took this long for me to care about anything I do enough to actually release it. I’m not proud to say any of that. At the same time I’m trying my hardest not to pretend it’s shameful. The brain is an organ, and like anything else in your body, sometimes it breaks and needs a doctor. If that resonates with you, don’t write me. Go see a doctor.
What’s the best part of making an album/songwriting?
Hands down, fighting with my bros over a part no one understands because its in my head, and then later it becoming everyone’s favorite part after the dust settles and the fights forgotten. That’s my favorite part of it all. When we struggle to get it right because we ALL care enough to make it good.
What kind of energy should the audience expect during a show?
We have a kinetic light and video production that is in sync with our music and it is AMAZING! It was a DIY rig made by Colby on cheap parts and donated lights. We have to bump it like the Fonz from time to time, but it’s a really cool system that we use whenever the stage is big enough.
How do you classify your music?
A master chef sushi platter served with French fries.
Next question.
Who are your musical influences?
I hate this question for Oh!Kelly because we are each so different and we’ve evolved our taste over the decade.
Cliché, right? Don’t roll your eyes at me! Why are you still reading?!
I grew up in Florida on Christian alternative, punk and pop rock.
John is a drum major and a metal guy at face value, but he has the most wonderfully broad taste in tunes.
Colby is a producer, so he sees music like the matrix code, but gun-to-my-head I’d say hard rock, Cajun and gospel.
Houston is on Kanye one week and John Mark McMillan the next, which is why I love his tasty tones.
Blake plays in a [cabaret goth] cult band called Vetus Morbus and I’m pretty sure he’s from another planet, like wherever Bowie came from.
Birdie plays acoustic on live streaming and is always making cool low-key versions of cover songs.
Depending on the song, we’ve been compared by listeners to Jack White, Cold War Kids, NIN, WEEZER, and I’m sure some others I can’t remember.
Listen to us and decide for yourself. I really would appreciate the listen.
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