"You've got to be vulnerable to be honest"- Oh Romance

I spoke to the Scottish band Oh Romance following the release of their latest single to see how life in the industry was going…

Q- You describe your new single ‘Lovesick’ as an emo ballad, about being in love with the wrong person. Are there any plans to release something similar?

A- Alex: ‘Lovesick’ really feels like the pinnacle for us right now, and this release in particular has really felt like a reward, and showed us just how much we appreciate each other, allowing us to work towards something truly great. It's been a journey for sure, but it was worth it.

Blair: I think this release [‘Lovesick’] showcased what we are truly capable of musically. I’d love to follow on from this with more of the same vibe and feel we are really honing our craft!

Q- ‘Lovesick’ is probably one of the most vulnerable songs you have released. Do you find it harder to write songs from a more vulnerable place or event in your life?

A-Kev: You’ve got to be vulnerable to be honest.

Blair: It’s so important to write something that’s very real, and holds a feeling. We produce our best work when we do that. ‘Lovesick’ is a prime example of that.

Alex: Vulnerability makes us human. I know when I sit down to write now that I’m not trying to please everyone, but I know if I’m honest about my experiences, my feelings, my situations, whether for better or for worse, that there are others out there that have felt the same, and can resonate with those words in some way. I don’t want to write songs that say absolutely nothing, and being able to really say what I mean has been incredibly cathartic, and forgiving.

Q- Who would you say your main influences are for your new single?

A-Alex: Definitely The Cure, The XCERTS, Biffy Clyro, My Chemical Romance, and blink-182 have all influenced the songwriting process.Kev: We all pull from a great range and roster artists for inspiration. Recently I’ve listened to a lot of the Amazons.

Q- King Tuts has been in the limelight recently with it not being the iconic venue it used to be, or giving bands the illusion that it is the vital stepping stone to success- what's your thoughts? Is there a venue that you personally think now has that status?

A- Alex: For all that it’s worth, King Tut’s has been a venue that has been on any new bands bucket list. However, their practices and obtuse level of exclusivity remains questionable at best. It’s good to see how many artists have realised this and made their voices heard. But as a “stepping stone to success”, it definitely isn’t. If you’re lucky enough to play the Barrowland Ballroom you’re probably doing alright.

Q- I saw you live at King Tuts in 2023. The energy in that room was amazing! How do you think your band and sound has progressed since then?

A-Kev: So much has changed, we’re tighter now, and our sound focusses more on big riffs than ever before.

Blair: We’ve really just found ourselves, more than anything else.

Alex: It’s just been us three for a while, and it’s brought us closer together than ever before. We’re more driven, and more focussed.

Q- Do you still see touring as worth the time and effort? Jason Ricci from Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind said in an interview “we’ve basically become t-shirt sale-men”. 

A-

 Blair: Yes, touring is very expensive for bands of course but I think it is an integral part of a band's journey to do so to get that experience under their belt.

Alex: Touring will always be worth it, and playing to new faces in rooms of 10 or rooms of 100 people will never grow tiring.

Kev: The cost for touring is mental right now. We love playing music, especially to new people, to new people.

Alex: Everything has changed, and often you can’t make a decent living without selling some merch, but that’s just how things are now. You aren’t just t-shirt sales-men, you’re a business owner, and a marketer. It’s brutal, but needs must, and beggars can’t be choosers. We’re lucky that we have had so many opportunities come our way.

Q- Where do you see the band in 5 years given the harsh landscape of the music industry?

A-

Alex: Who knows. We’ve just started releasing our best work, we get better and better the more we play shows together. It’s nice to think about “what if”, but it’s better to remain in the present and just learn to enjoy the ride.

Blair: We’ve got plenty in the tank, and too many things to check off our list. Doing our best and enjoying ourselves along the way is part and parcel of the experience.

Kev: We’re grateful to have what we have, the friends we’ve made in the process, and even the fans. It’s surreal.