LA.CityZine brings you band, The Oohlas, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. With frontwoman, Ollie Stone, on vocals and guitar, they are more than just “cute” people. With strong chords, and extremely impressive drumming, Ollie, Mark Eklund (bass/vocals), Greg Eklund (guitar/vocals) and Hayden Scott (drums) take power pop rock to another level.
In fact when I saw them open for Io Echo at Silverlake Lounge last week, I thought this band has something different. Sure, they’re one of the many bands with all males and one female but the structures of their songs aren’t too rock and they aren’t too pop. There is a lack of pigeon holed style in their music which maintains an alluring characteristic. In fact, take a listen to “TV Dinners” on their MySpace and you’ll hear Ollie singing “Why don’t you love me?” in a very familiar way. It took me a while to figure out but I finally realized it came across very similar to Pavement’s “Fillmore Jive” as Stephen Malkmus asks “Why won’t you let me sleep?” There is a deep longing in the lyrics which The Oohlas have managed to pull off as honest instead of whiny. In a hopeful Pavement-esque way, The Oohlas should be around for a while because of their non-conventional compositions.
They have a new album coming out soon so keep your ears open for the sounds of The Oohlas coming through your headphones. They also have a show at Henry Fonda on October 4th. It’s a while away but this also means you have plenty of time to prepare your schedule. This band with unusual entanglement of riffs and beats underneath Ollie’s floating vocals are sure to be something you won’t regret.
LA.CityZine also had a chance to have an honest conversation with lead vocalist, Ollie Stone. Discover her fears of looking like a tranny, her stories of touring with Bloc Party, and more in the interview below now!
The Oohlas is a mash-up of two mainly positive words. Were you guys very strategic in picking the band name? What were some of the other contenders?
Little Buttons was in contention. Greg said he couldn’t see it on a marquee. I think I agree, but then again, when I saw the name “Limp Bizkit” and “Papa Roach” on a marquee at the same time I thought I was fucking insane. Not to mention…. “Clap your hands say yeah”…. does that offend me? Yeah, it does! I’m go to my counseling appointment now since I’m mentally fucked over shitty band names. Oh……..we didn’t really have anything better, “Oohlas” is slang for a cute person, but we just liked that name the most out of all the other ideas.
“Take Me Home” is about how you hate LA sometimes. It can be a pretty rough time here. What are some of the things that get you through the day?
The glorious internet, coffee, weed, music, anti-socialness.
What wisdom has Greg passed onto you from his days in Everclear? If any.
Greg has passed on some wicked stories of his former band. Juicy stuff! …Stories to knock you out of your seat in fear and or laughter, usually laughter. He’s played arenas so loading into Silverlake Lounge is probably pretty funny for him sometimes, I don’t know.
How is it fronting a band as the only female? Empowering, Annoying, Awesome? All of the above?
Um… I just like to sing, man.
How was touring with Bloc Party?
It was fun! We played three shows with them very early on in our existence. They were just coming up as well, but selling out theaters. So I think it was a little new and exciting for them as well.
Quick Fire Round:
Where’s your favorite place to shop in LA?
To be honest, I do 90% of my shopping on eBay. Vintage Betsey Johnson!
What was the last physical CD you bought?
LCD Soundsystem
If you could choose any two bands, who would you want to interview?
Oasis vs. The Killers - I’d have em interview each other while I mediate. Holy shit, that’d be laugh out loud funny. I have no clue who’d win that as it’d prolly turn into a battle.
What’s your favorite drink?
Bloody Mary.
What’s the best cure for a hangover?
Bloody Mary.
What is the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you in LA?
Off hand I can’t remember a specific situation right now, but…. every single day I walk outside someone whistles, hoots, or catcalls me in attempts to pick me up in their car. They think I’m a prostitute or stupid enough to take a ride from a stranger. I’m sad because I wonder if I kinda look like a tranny and that’s why people try to pick me up so much.
What is your current addiction?
Six Feet Under: The Series! Jesus Christ, is that show a masterpiece!
Photography by Tamar Levine
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