Oginalii Unveils Acoustic Sessions Ahead Of Debut Album Release

Yesterday, Nashville's Oginalii (pronounced "oh-gan-ALL-ee" and which translates to "my friend" in Cherokee) garnered some hometown acclaim with the release of an OOKO Studio Live Session featuring acoustic versions of "No Littering" and "Static," two tracks housed on their forthincoming debut Cause and Affection, out April 5th. No Country For Nashville, which premiered the sessions, says that the songs channel "the more intimate vibe of the group's acoustic beginnings (before they reappear on the album in all of their electric, face-melting glory). In their deconstructed format, the songs really showcase [Emma] Hoeflinger's powerful and earnest vocal delivery, and expert ability to craft nuanced and layered tunes at their core, weaving between genre conventions and building to soaring, gut-punching sonic highs."

STREAM THE ACOUSTIC VERSIONS OF "NO LITTERING" & "STATIC" via SPOTIFY // SOUNDCLOUD

Oginalii will embark on a co-headlining tour with West Virginia-based NPR Slingshot Artist Hello June; the tour kicks off in Cincinnati on February 26th, and carries the bands to stops along the east coast. Oginalii will also travel to Austin, Texas for an official showcase and additional performances at this year's SXSW Music Festival, before celebrating the release of their forthcoming debut LP Cause and Affection. See below for a list of upcoming dates.

Cause and Affection, produced by All Them Witches' Ben McLeod, will be unleashed on April 5, 2019. From shining a spotlight of frustration on the treatment of women in the music industry with their first single "Further In/Out," to championing freedom of choice with "No Littering," to issuing a widespread call for empathy with "Forgotten Kindness," this band has something to say, and they aren't afraid to say it. Their sound cuts through the noise of today's musical landscape and their message is of the moment.

Singer/guitarist Emma 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.

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. "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.

*co-headlining w/ Hello June