The sonic amalgamation of Matt Corby after a light jolt of caffeine, indie-folk artist Oly Sherman brings a sparkling energy to the somewhat introspective genre he calls home. Emerging within the past year, this textural craftsman has continually won hearts and ears all over with his captivating arrangements and silky vocals, not only with his gripping live shows, but also with his recordings - and most recently with the release of his intimately alluring EP Three Oh Three.
Stemming from one of the most significant moments of his young life (a heart procedure that left Sherman with a pacemaker he believed would dictate his life forever), Three Oh Three is an immersive joy that highlights Sherman's ability to contrast personal adversity with creative zeal, and raises the bar high as this auspicious artist hits some local stages in Sydney to celebrate his brand new release. But in the midst of his tour, we grabbed Mr Sherman to chat sounds, songs and twists of fate. Interview below.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SOUND IN THE WHOLE WORLD?
This would either be between the sound your mac makes when you start it up after previously thinking it was broken, or the sound of a cheering crowd at a festival/concert.
WHAT'S THE FIRST ALBUM/SINGLE YOU EVER BOUGHT YOURSELF?
I don’t think I can specifically remember my first ever purchase, but I can tell you the very first vinyl album that I bought! Lost In The Dream by the War On Drugs was my first purchase, and quite honestly one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE RELEASE SO FAR FOR 2019?
This is definitely a tough one, and would have to be tied with Jordan Rakei’s new album ‘Origin’ and Palace’s new album ‘Life After’. Both albums are quite different and similar at the same time, and since both their releases have been records which I’ve come back to time and time again.
WHAT'S YOUR DREAM GEAR SET-UP? ARE YOU LUSTING AFTER ANY PARTICULAR INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT?
My dream setup would be a double mic, one with all my effects and one super clean. I would also have my 4 Strats all in different tunings, as well as a variety of exotic percussive instruments (just because).
WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE AUSSIE BAND OR ARTIST RIGHT NOW AND WHY?
Right now, would honestly have to be a live set from Matt Corby and his band. Every time I see him/them, it kind of just reminds me why I do all of this in the first place.
WHAT'S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU WERE GIVEN WHEN YOU WERE FIRST STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
That most things related to music and the things that you eventually seek out within music, is only going to come down to how much work you put into it. Basically, no one is going to create all of this for you, it comes down to you.
WHAT'S ONE MUSICAL SECRET ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DIVULGE?
II stumbled upon my band by luck whilst I was playing a solo gig in Canberra! Ever since then, some of them have gone on to be some of my best mates.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR OLY SHERMAN?
I’m in the works for another EP set to be released early next year ☺
OLY SHERMAN'S BRAND NEW EP THREE OF THREE IS OUT IN THE WORLD NOW, PLUS YOU CAN CATCH HIM AROUND SYDNEY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. TOUR DATES BELOW, AND FOR ALL OTHER INFO HEAD HERE.
OLY SHERMAN UPCOMING TOUR DATES
Friday 27th September - Coogee Bay, Coogee
FREE ENTRY
Saturday 5th October - Yulli’s Brews, Alexandria
FREE ENTRY
Wednesday 16th October - Lazybones, Sydney
Saturday 26th October - Low 302, Sydney
Wednesday 6th November - Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
YH PRESENTS SOUNDS ON THE TERRACE - FREE ENTRY
BY TIANA SPETER