Let’s face it folks, the fall is upon us and the year is winding down. The weather is changing, the leaves are turning and before you know it we will be bombarded by all sorts of year end ‘Best Of’ lists. Last year was an interesting year for me as a music fan. There just wasn’t a ton of music that just flat out floored me and ultimately I couldn’t even muster up the will to create my own year end list for B.G.M.
This year however, has seen some incredible releases and I am honestly having a rough time trying to take it all in. On August 20th, O’Brother released their second LP, Disillusion, via Triple Crown Records. Which (spoiler alert) is without a doubt, tied for my favorite record of the year. Disillusion sees O’Brother tighten up their song writing capabilities and really hones focus on their sound.
In their previous release, Beneath Your Garden Window, O’Brother’s vast influences were very present on each individual track but ultimately left the album feeling slightly disjointed (still incredible and captivating of course). The bands latest full length is far more balanced and just plain out rocks, hard, from beginning to end. Disillusion is heavy in a way that will melt your eardrums yet you don’t even realize it’s happening because you are lost in the beautiful atmospherics and the dramatic vocals. I just can’t help but be a fan-boy of this band and especially this album.
I have had discussions at length with B.G.M. co-founder Jon and we can’t really say that there is any other band out right now that has the sound and potential to match O’Brother at this moment.
In my very humble opinion, I see O’brother in the same light as an early Radiohead (which I can also hear influence of on Disillusion). With such an amazing sound and a lot of unrecognized sonic genius within themselves, the boys in O’Brother have a lot to look forward to in their future.
I reached out to O’brother and was able to get in touch with singer/guitarist Tanner Merritt as well as Drummer Michael Martens to ask them some questions about Disillusion, recording, and their first headlining tour:
BGM: Describe the origin of the band.
Michael: O’Brother itself was born around late 2005 with me, Anton (Dang – Bass) , Johnny (Dang – Guitar) and our old singer Spencer. Anton, Johnny and myself have been playing together for about 15 years though. The O’Brother most people know came together around 2008.
BGM: Where did O’brother’s sound came from and how it was influenced?
Tanner: O’Brother’s sound comes from a vast array of influences. We all listen to so many different types of music and I think they all somehow find their way into what we write.
BGM: Your new album Disillusion is a quite the progression in sound. How would you describe the album’s vibe in comparison to The Death Of Day and Garden Window?
Michael: To me, it feels much more focused. We aren’t quite as all over the place as we have been in the past.
BGM: Is there a concept to the albums lyrics and feel?
Tanner: It’s not conceptual in a “story” sense but the whole album definitely revolves around central and reoccurring themes. We like to write albums as a whole, and we like to make them seem like one long piece of art with reoccurring melodies and themes.
BGM: I read that while recording Disillusion you guys rented a house and completely immersed yourself in the process. Describe what that was like.
Michael: That was pretty fun. It was nice to come home to a house each night and be able to have room to setup camp in a sense, as opposed to staying with friends or at a hotel. We spent a lot of time in the kitchen together in the mornings and nights surrounding the time we would be at (record producer, Mike) Sapone’s. We also got to experience what it was like to live on Long Island, which is an experience in and of itself.
BGM: How has the addition of Jordan (McGhin – Guitar/Background vocals) changed O’brothers sound?
Tanner: We’ve always loved Jordan’s guitar playing from seeing him in other bands, he has a unique style that’s really appropriate for us. Also, Jordan has a great singing voice and we’re now able to pull off background vocal parts that are on the record in a live setting.
BGM: Describe the roles of the band members outside of the music? Who is the parental figure? Goofball? Etc.
Tanner: Everyone is the goofball. Michael is the Dad.
BGM: Tanner, Your vocals are very unique, they range from heavy and soul crushing to melodic and soothing. They can be very theatrical in a serious way and along with the music really take the listener on an emotional ride. The vocals also keep progressing, where did the this style develop from? How do you feel it’s changed over the course of your albums?
Tanner: I think my style has a lot to do with who I was listening to when I first started singing for this band. I was definitely listening to a lot of Jeff Buckley and Radiohead and I think that’s how my voice developed. I think over the years I’ve slowly grown more comfortable with my voice and allowed it to progress on its own rather than being a byproduct of my influences.
BGM: With the vocals and lyrics being so dramatic and dynamic, does it take getting into a certain mindset to be prepared to sing the songs live?
Tanner: I feel like that’s true more so in the studio than live. I definitely have to get in a mindset to record the parts. I definitely try to get in the right place before we play as well, but it doesn’t usually mean contemplating the lyrics or anything.
BGM: Do you guys have any pre-show rituals?
Michael: Not really. It changes each night based on time and what’s going on with everyone but we do try and at least get together before we start our set and tell each other have fun and high five and all of that nonsense.
BGM: O’Brother has cited many different bands that has influenced your sound. Everything from Torche to Sigur Ros. Who are you currently feeling inspired by? Any new bands or artists that are really doing it for you at the moment?
Tanner: I’ve been listening to a lot of Portishead and Massive Attack, I love the new Queens of the Stone Age record and the new Chelsea Wolfe record. Also, Vertikal by Cult of Luna.
BGM: What have been some of your favorite bands to tour with?
Tanner: All of them really. we have yet to tour with a band that isn’t great to be around.
BGM: Some of your songs tend to be quite long. It seems when I have had the chance to see you guys live you only were ever able to play a few songs during your set. What can we expect to hear on your current headlining tour with Native and Daylight?
Tanner: We’re playing a lot longer than normal. so we’re able to play more of the longer songs. also it gives us more time to do cool transitions between songs.
BGM: What was your first experience that really solidified the idea of playing an instrument and creating music?
Tanner: It’s never been a question for me. My parents both played music when I was young. I grew up around it, started playing piano when I was 5. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
BGM: If I were to visit your hometown of Atlanta where would be the first place that you would say I absolutely have to go eat?
Tanner: A burrito joint called El Myr. It’s delicious.
Be sure to buy yourself a copy of Disillusion and check out O’Brother’s upcoming tour dates: