You’ll be begging for Oh Mercy

Oh Mercy is fresh off their SXSW debut. The band recently received rave reviews from their stellar showcases at this year’s festival, and were the recipient of the Red Bull Music Award for 2009 as Breakout Artist. Their music mixes emotional melodies with sultry rhythm and pop friendly lyrics. Their debut album, Privileged Woes, will make you want to get up and dance with a partner but also sing you to sleep. Upon listening to Privileged Woes, they became my new favorite Aussie band.

Read my interview below with lead singer, Alexander Gow, to learn more about this piano-soothing indie band making a splash here in the states.

Lead singer, Alexander Gow of Oh Mercy

Give us the low down on how Oh Mercy was formed and the mission behind your music.

Hello. Oh Mercy is the songwriting partnership of Thomas Savage and myself. Thomas and I went to the same high school and have always written music with one and other. We took the name “Oh Mercy” after we left high school. Our mission is to make albums that we would want to listen to, and ideally make quite a few of them.

Aside from playing the Paradigm showcase, what were some standout experiences in Austin at SXSW for you all?

That showcase was especially great. Austin was incredible. It is a very beautiful part of the world. We stayed in a little house just outside of town, and contrary to the typical SXSW experience, our time was really relaxing – drank a lot, ate some great food and saw a couple of our favourite bands, Midlake and Snoop Dogg.

Have you noticed any differences in how musicians are treated here in the states versus overseas?

A little. Audiences here in America seem to be more enthusiastic than Australian audiences. Less crossed arms, less shoe gazing, louder applause. Having said that, I’m kind of fond of the crossed arms, it’s what I’ve grown up with.

What do you miss most about Australia? What do you enjoy most about the U.S.?

I miss lots of things about Australia, it is an incredible and unique part of the world. The attitude, the beer, the landscape, the fresh food. Australia is unreal. The best thing about the US are iced coffees. I don’t need milk, ice cream etc. I just want the coffee and the ice. Thank You, America.

The piano playing on your newest release, “Privileged Woes” gets listeners immediately hooked. Was piano at the forefront of your music-making process?

I haven’t really though about it. I suppose Thomas and I write on guitar and piano and our favourite music usually incorporates both. I’m happy for the album to have a ‘sound’ but I’m not going to let it get in the way or change or progress. Having said that, we may just as easily make a ‘piano music’ album next.

What do you hope music fans take away from “Privileged Woes”? What about the new album you are currently recording?

With “Privileged Woes” I hope it stands as an introduction to Oh Mercy. As for the album we are currently recording in Santa Monica, I want people to dance to it, and then listen to the lyrics, and then potentially question whether they should be dancing to it or not. And then decide to start dancing again.

Listen to their newest single, “Lay It On Me” here.

You’ve opened for some big names like the Kaiser Chiefs and now Ben Kweller. Who have been your favorite artists to play with and why?

Ben Kweller was a lovely guy and I have grown up listening to his music, so that was a great experience. My favourite shows have been supporting some Australian bands like The Panics, Black Eyed Susan’s and Lisa Mitchell. If you haven’t heard of The Panics and you half like Oh Mercy check them out.

What can fans expect at an Oh Mercy show?

A stand and deliver type show. Likely to sound different to the record. Sometimes we write different instrumentation and arrangements for our love set. No splits, fly kicks or pyrotechnics.

With summer just around the corner, what are you looking forward to in the near future?

Well, at the moment and for the next couple of months we are recording our second album in Santa Monica. After that we will head home and do a couple of trips around the country. Hopefully we’ll be back in the U.S some time early next year with our new album.

We’re big fans of beards, vegetarian and vegan treats, bad reality shows, and cupcakes. What are some of your guilty pleasures in life?

Science fiction and fantasy novels.

Look for Oh Mercy touring with their friends The Temper Trap for a national tour in Australia this summer and later performing live at the Splendour In The Grass Festival!

*By Alisha, who enjoys a new life of cafe people watching and Brooklyn photo ops

Similar Posts:

• Chicago SXSW Showcase – “Second City” My A**
• She’s a Survior: Aimee Allen Releases New Music
• Spend A “White Night” with The Postelles
• Introducing: The Newbie at Planet Verge
• Women in Music: Interview with Annie of You Sing, I Write