In this interview spotlight, we chat with Théorie Ornery about music, influences, the new project and more.
Q&A, links, and streams can be found below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I live in Austin, Tx, and have been in the underground music scene here for quite sometime playing and making indie rock, punk, metal, experimental music and NOW Bedroom Pop and Lo-fi R&B.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
I have always wanted to make an album that I am singing my heart out on. I grew up in love with artists like Michael Jackson, Freddy Mercury, Sade, Prince, Madonna, etc…but I never really indulged these ideas. I have played with a ton of groups in Texas, most of which were of or relating to the greater punk genres listed in the previous question. I also have a deep background in classical music via the Suzuki Method for string instruments.
Receiving the original samples for the “bed tracks” from my friend Michael Young, really kicked things off…meeting and falling in love with my gf kept the inspiration flowing, but then at some point, I think that plain ol stubbornness really helped me. I have a hard time letting go of things and ideas like this…so I really needed to see it through.
Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to your creativity?
My biggest influences range from loving the song structures of Kurt Cobain, the perfection and attention to detail of Michael Jackson, to the DIY recording methods of Elliot Smith. I love artists that give it everything; not necessarily musicians, but ARTISTS. People who do lots of things. Thats what really speaks to me. Honorable mentions: John Carpenter, David Bowie, David Lynch
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
This genre is different than anything else I have ever done. In fact, I have mostly always played guitars in the bands I have been in. So branching out and challenging myself to not only write vocal parts but to sing them was also a first for me. I also have never released something that I have recorded on my own. I pretty much made this whole album in my tiny living room, which is pretty exciting for me. I did go to friends to get help mixing and mastering, the “bed tracks” were snippets of music that friends gave to me that I dissected and arranged how I saw fit, but I did everything else. Vocals, guitars, baritone guitar, keyboards, etc.
I really just set out to show the world that i had fallen in love with a wonderful woman, and that these songs are a reflection of how she made me feel: young, vibrant, happy, light headed <3
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
There’s a major over saturation problem that artists of my level face. It is so much easier to publish your work now; literally anyone can do it. So as a fan of music, its easy to just rely on old fashioned methods of having music presented to you. These days the music fan has to dig a little deeper to discover new stuff that is up to their personal standards. I love and hate this, as you can imagine.
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
Actually, yes, I am quite the romantic (says the guy who is releasing a love letter in the form of an album), so i am making these song available on all major streaming sites AND I am selling them on hand-crafted cassette tapes. My lovely gf and I will be hand-painting and folding the packaging for the cassettes. Here is a link to my bandcamp where the tapes can be purchased: https://theorieornery.bandcamp.com/releases
But also, I love the convenience of being able to stream music through Apple Music, YouTube and Spotify. It’s not a great deal as far as payment/reimbursement goes…but that’s life. I’m just happy people are listening.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
See the links above, but also, I should state that the cassette will have a sneak peak at my next release.
Anything else before we sign off?
yeah, check out my hardcore band too if you are interested!
