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Nashville's Oginalii Unleashes FURTHER IN/OUT via Earmilk
By: Tori Hartshorn Sep. 06, 2018
Nashville-based Oginalii (pronounced "oh-gan-ALL-ee" and which translates to "my friend" in Cherokee) are taking a stand with "Further In/Out," hard-hitting feminist statement rock featured on their forthcoming debut LP Cause and Affection, set for release on April 9, 2019. "This song was me channeling all my frustrations/angst/anger at all the bulls my female friends and I come across within the music industry, specifically," says frontwoman Emma Hoeflinger in her refreshing not-gonna-ever-mince-words-style. "It became my mantra of sorts because having to choose between staying silent or speaking up shouldn't have to be so hard. I want to set precedent but I also know making that choice isn't going to be fun and it won't be easy. However, I do get a kick out of people getting pissed 'cause women don't want to take s anymore. I'm down to be uncomfortable if it means I'm rattling those cages."
"The psychedelic influences on the track...convey a new level of ferocity in [Hoeflinger's] vocals," Earmilk states in the premiere of "Further In/Out." "Not only is she angry, but she's willing to do something about it. The face-melting guitar riffs on the track are a staple of the Nashville project and a testament to the genre, which Hoeflinger thinks is far from dead. With complicated arrangements and forward-thinking attitude and lyricism, Oginalii is taking the predictability out of rock music while holding onto the community and cultural aspects that make it such an enduring genre."
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Singer/guitarist Hoeflinger has been creating music as Oginalii since 2013, and in the years that have passed her sound has evolved, just like anything else. The project's first form was acoustic music-Hoeflinger and her guitar against the world-but a night of noodling around on an electric guitar changed it all. The young singer-songwriter was fascinated with the new color palette, so to speak, and shelled out $100 for a knock off Les Paul.
"Each new guitar and pedal gives you some new insight into a song, melody, story, or whatever the hell happens," she explains. "I guess for me I need this 'new' feeling that keeps me interested and wanting to create more regardless of what's under your feet."
In the coming years, Hoeflinger continued to progress as a musician, and her band grew along with her. Now, with two EPs ( The Grey a nd self-titled) under her belt, she feels more confident than ever.
Backed by Ryan Quarles (guitar), Simon Knudtson (drums) and Emma Lambiase (bass), Oginalii oscillates between kick-your-teeth-in sludge rock and hazy psychedelia, anchored by Hoeflinger's smooth yet fierce vocals. Set in Led Zeppelin roots, she channels strong contemporary females like Karen O, PJ Harvey, and St. Vincent's Annie Clark. "Annie Clark is the epitome of what it means to be a pioneer in females in music," she declares. "I want to be an Annie Clark-someone who's a fing badass that you're watching just melt face up there and take no prisoners." This is the sentiment she brings with her on the road, as well as in the studio. As Oginalii fleshes out its debut full-length album, Hoeflinger is looking within herself for inspiration. When she writes, she does a lot of subconscious singing-letting the words flow from her without thought. During a particular session, she meant to say "cause and effect" but "cause and affection" came out of her mouth. It was her "a-ha" moment, and the concept of the band's new chapter was born.
"The album is about learning and growing as a person and loving yourself throughout it all," she explains. "Figuring out how to be okay with your faults, realizing some of those things you f up on are the best parts about you, and learning how to let those things shine through." Rock & roll is more than music-it's a vibe, a culture, a community-and Hoeflinger is ready to continue to evolve along with it.
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