Music / Features
Track by Track:
Ooh La La! - "Soft Intervention"
Ooh La La! - "Soft Intervention"
Following the release of “Soft Intervention” earlier this month, we caught up with the mastermind behind Ooh La La! to delve into the ideas and inspiration behind their debut EP - a five track rollercoaster ride through ambient synth work, warped samples and cinematic funk.
On Ooh La La!’s debut release, a five track EP that is to set the scene for the project before they reveal a full-length LP later this year, we’re offered a stirring invitation into the shapeshifting dreamworld of the enigmatic project.
Although they describe themselves as ‘muzak’ - a term synonymous with elevator music - and while their work does exist in a hazy, atmospheric space, the result is anything but background noise. Instead, “Soft Intervention” is a constant mishmash of colour and texture, keeping listeners constantly on their toes as it diverts between the serene and the chaotic. However, the EP shines in its ability to keep us locked in for the ride, the track’s blurring together with a startling ebb and flow that makes the listen as comforting as it is out of this world.
Beneath the EP’s hypnotic soundscapes though lies a great deal of emotion weight and power. To dig a little deeper into “Soft Intervention”, Ooh La La! have kindly peeled back the curtain on the creative process and walked us through each track.
Although they describe themselves as ‘muzak’ - a term synonymous with elevator music - and while their work does exist in a hazy, atmospheric space, the result is anything but background noise. Instead, “Soft Intervention” is a constant mishmash of colour and texture, keeping listeners constantly on their toes as it diverts between the serene and the chaotic. However, the EP shines in its ability to keep us locked in for the ride, the track’s blurring together with a startling ebb and flow that makes the listen as comforting as it is out of this world.
Beneath the EP’s hypnotic soundscapes though lies a great deal of emotion weight and power. To dig a little deeper into “Soft Intervention”, Ooh La La! have kindly peeled back the curtain on the creative process and walked us through each track.
Ooh La La!: Up until I was diagnosed with depression and bipolar, I always just figured everyone felt melancholy in their own lives and I was no different. I figured everyone had thoughts of self harm and it was a regular part of being human. In 2019, in the depths of depressive diagnosis, I dropped music all together. It was something I put aside in feeling I had lost something that made me feel ‘me’ - to play and make music was just to go through the motions without the liberation.
In coming to terms with my mental health, I rediscovered the indescribable beauty of music. Not as just a catchy beat with a hook, but a part of my psyche. My own catharsis. Pure salvation. This EP is a product of my healing process.
I believe anyone is capable of this and self preservation is always attainable.
Water & Waves
‘Water & Waves’ is a piece I originally made in 2018 when I was managing and filling in on guitar with Bananagun - a mixture of Turkish psych and maybe some funk. 2019 was when I lost my marbles and ditched all attempts at making any new music. Only until recently did I dig the song up and repurposed it for Ooh La La!. Josh (from Bananagun) introduced me to Sven Libaek and he contributions to Australian music so I sampled the piano intro to his song 'Water & Waves' from Nature Walkabout. Pretty beautiful album actually - Ooh La La! recommends!
Abuse of Power comes as No Surprise
‘Abuse of Power comes as No Surprise’ is pretty much as the title says. Everyone has an agenda. Beware. As a side note, this was recorded at a Bananagun practise earlier this year on the day I quit my job. Don't let them step on your neck.
In coming to terms with my mental health, I rediscovered the indescribable beauty of music. Not as just a catchy beat with a hook, but a part of my psyche. My own catharsis. Pure salvation. This EP is a product of my healing process.
I believe anyone is capable of this and self preservation is always attainable.
Water & Waves
‘Water & Waves’ is a piece I originally made in 2018 when I was managing and filling in on guitar with Bananagun - a mixture of Turkish psych and maybe some funk. 2019 was when I lost my marbles and ditched all attempts at making any new music. Only until recently did I dig the song up and repurposed it for Ooh La La!. Josh (from Bananagun) introduced me to Sven Libaek and he contributions to Australian music so I sampled the piano intro to his song 'Water & Waves' from Nature Walkabout. Pretty beautiful album actually - Ooh La La! recommends!
Abuse of Power comes as No Surprise
‘Abuse of Power comes as No Surprise’ is pretty much as the title says. Everyone has an agenda. Beware. As a side note, this was recorded at a Bananagun practise earlier this year on the day I quit my job. Don't let them step on your neck.
Good Mornin'
‘Good Mornin'’ is a bittersweet song for me. In my depressive state, I was listening to a lot of Harmonia and Cluster and smoking too much weed and this is the product. The laughing in the track that fades to the outro is an old friend of mine who stabbed me in the back. Just like MF DOOM says, "Sometimes ya need to cut n*ggas off like a light switch". Truth be told.
Forbidden Fruit
‘Forbidden Fruit’ is another older demo from a forgotten project I most likely attempted in 2016/17. Again, I never found it that interesting when I first made it, but I see it now with a different context. Art is pretty neat like that. There's always a reappraisal and appreciation over time.
Solitude
I like to be alone. As an only child, i've never known any different. 'Solitude' is a sample of Sydney airport, Edinburgh Gardens, walking around my hometown in Ballan, and running brooks Sailors Falls. I'm extremely honoured to have Chuck Perrin recite a poem for the outro. Chuck's style and creative style has been a strong influence on recording and my general ethos.
Big thanks to Bronte for answering my call at 9pm on a Sunday.
‘Good Mornin'’ is a bittersweet song for me. In my depressive state, I was listening to a lot of Harmonia and Cluster and smoking too much weed and this is the product. The laughing in the track that fades to the outro is an old friend of mine who stabbed me in the back. Just like MF DOOM says, "Sometimes ya need to cut n*ggas off like a light switch". Truth be told.
Forbidden Fruit
‘Forbidden Fruit’ is another older demo from a forgotten project I most likely attempted in 2016/17. Again, I never found it that interesting when I first made it, but I see it now with a different context. Art is pretty neat like that. There's always a reappraisal and appreciation over time.
Solitude
I like to be alone. As an only child, i've never known any different. 'Solitude' is a sample of Sydney airport, Edinburgh Gardens, walking around my hometown in Ballan, and running brooks Sailors Falls. I'm extremely honoured to have Chuck Perrin recite a poem for the outro. Chuck's style and creative style has been a strong influence on recording and my general ethos.
Big thanks to Bronte for answering my call at 9pm on a Sunday.
"Soft Intervention" is available to listen to via oohlala.bandcamp.com. Follow Ooh La La! below to keep up to date as they prepare to release their debut album later this year.
