In this conversation I caught up with Alex, Keir, Blair and Kieran who make up the Glaswegian indie-band, Oh Romance. The band have received support from BBC Introducing Scotland and have recently played with The Capollos. I asked Alex, Keir, Blair and Kieran about their two singles 'Are You Satisfied?' and 'All That You Needed' as well as the challenges they've faced as an independent band making music during lockdown.
Hi Oh Romance, how are you? Alex: Very, very well. Thank you! Keir: Quite well cheers. Blair: Smashing thanks! Kieran: Absolutely grand thank you very much.
Could you introduce yourselves to our readers? Alex: Hi, I’m Alex. I’m the vocalist and rhythm guitarist in Oh Romance. Based in the wonderful Glasgow. Keir: I’m the lead guitarist in the band and an avant enjoyer of trains. Blair: I’m Blair, the drummer and backing vocalist for Oh Romance, based in Glasgow. Kieran: Hey, I'm Kieran. I'm the bassist for Oh Romance, also based in Glasgow.
How did you guys meet and form the band?
Alex: I met Keir at a house party in 2019, and it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster since. But I ‘half-met’ Blair a few years ago when we were in separate bands; we actually played a gig together! Small world is an understatement. I knew Kieran from the Aberdeen music scene. Our boy puts in the graft! Keir: Met Alex through mutual pals at a gaff, then met Blair at an audition for our drummer and then Kieran most recently for session player. That’s now morphed into him being a fully-fledged member! Blair: I met Alex a few years back and we were both in separate bands. I moved to Glasgow and saw The Capollos share a post looking for a drummer based in Glasgow. I auditioned with the Ohs and the rest is history! Kieran: I got a message asking if I could play bass for them and it’s all been uphill from there. Alex: Honestly, we were dealt many crap cards and Kieran pulled through massively for us. What a hero.
How would you describe your music?
Alex: Punchy, moody, mostly exciting. Keir: Zesty. Blair: Powerful and passionate. Kieran: Electric, jumpy, feel good, hopefully enjoyable.
Are there any artists who have influenced or inspired your sound?
Alex: I think we’ve distilled our sound from a few of our favourites, but when we’re writing new songs our sound changes slightly with each addition. Foals are a huge inspiration for me. Keir: Far too many to count. Our influences are all very unique and eclectic, which works wonders for our sound. Nothing quite like it, if I may say so. Blair: Muse and Lower Than Atlantis for me, to name a couple. Kieran: For me, it's mostly bands like The Murder Capital and Fontaines D.C. that inspired my play style. But obviously I take a lot from older bands, such as The Cramps.
So far you have released two singles titled ‘All That You Needed’ and ‘Are You Satisfied?’, could you tell us a bit about how you guys write and record music as a band?
Alex: Our first two singles were written entirely in-studio, whereas all of the songs we’ve written since have been entirely organic. It’s made a huge impact on how we see the whole process now. Keir: Just a mix of working between studio, rehearsals and at home, and coming up with new ideas that come to mind. Blair: Definitely in the practice room, when we all come together — that’s when we bounce off new ideas. It’s always a buzz for us! Kieran: I was not here…
"...we’ve distilled our sound from a few of our favourites, but when we’re writing new songs our sound changes slightly with each addition."
You recently played with The Capollos and Plastic Glass in Glasgow, how was the gig? Alex: Unfortunately, due to the weather the Plastic Glass lads couldn’t make it. We were absolutely gutted! Keir: Aye, but the gig was absolutely incredible, what a debut for us. The Capollos boys were great and so was the crowd. Gutted that Plastic Glass couldn’t make it but there’s always the future with them. Blair: The gig was amazing! Great atmosphere around the place. Unfortunately, Plastic Glass couldn’t make it but there’s always next time! Thanks to The Capollos for having us again x Kieran: The gig was great. It was a shame about Plastic Glass not being able to come up but the lads in The Capollos know how to put on a show. We’re just thankful they gave us the opportunity!
What are your plans for the rest of 2021, will you be releasing an EP soon?
Alex: It’s definitely too late on to release an EP, as much as we’d love to. We’ve got a fair few things planned for next year though. Keir: Keep those eyes peeled for next year potentially… Blair: Yup, got a lot planned and we’re so buzzing. Kieran: We definitely have some plans for next year. Will just have to see how time will treat us.
I set up my blog during lockdown to support independent artists, as a band have you faced any challenges in terms of writing/recording music during lockdown? Alex: Definitely! Everyone in this industry has had to climb up through this pile, bottom to top. It’s not been easy. Keir: Absolutely, it’s been horrendous how the music industry has just been forgotten about entirely, but musicians have a unique bond to stick together. We need to, after all. Blair: It’s been tough on everyone for sure. All you can do it stay positive and keep grafting. Kieran: Obviously it's been hard. I feel as though gigging and speaking to folk is the best way to put yourself out there, but when everyone was stuck inside, it really halted everything.
What advice would you give to someone who may want to start a band? Alex: If you’re thinking about doing it, stop thinking about it and just do it! Crack on. Keir: Go for it, worry about it later. Blair: Absolutely go for it! The main thing is just to have fun with it all and take it all in. Kieran: Find people you get on with and take it from there.
As a band, what is the best advice you have received?
Alex: Nobody cares if you miss one or two wrong notes, as long as you put on a show. Keir: Just go for it! Blair: Go all out! Kieran: No matter what you do, as long as you're enjoying it. It doesn't matter what other people think. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! Alex: Thank you for having us, Keiko!
Keir: Cheers me dears
Blair and Kieran: Thanks so much!
Check out Oh Romance's music in the links above or hear their songs on my Spotify Featured Artists Playlist (link in bio).
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