Meet O Mer

Want to instantly calm your current mood? Then switch on the sweet soulful sounds of O Mer. This NY/Tel Aviv based musician blends electronic influences with classic soul tropes to come up with a sound that is wholly unique.

Their latest album “Meri” is out and to celebrate it we had a little chat with the artist about a couple of fun topics.

A self-portrait by O Mer

Some questions with O Mer

How would you compare your time in Brooklyn to Tel Aviv creatively?

I think for both good and bad, BK pulled me in many directions creatively. I was much more aware of trends and cultural events than I am now. I was driven more by the cultural abundance than I was by my inner creative voices. There’s a tremendous pressure in the US to culturally adhere to one’s surroundings. And to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t really fit into the corporate-hipster shtick that Brooklyn seemed to be obsessed with at the time. That being said, I learned a lifetime’s worth about music, music business and myself.

How would you describe your sound in three words to someone who has not ever heard it?

MAXIMAL minimal Songs

What has been your biggest source of inspiration recently?

“All Along The Watchtower”. I’ve been obsessing over the lyrics and listening to both Dylan’s and Hendrix’s versions. Lyrically it’s a masterpiece and the music although very simple somehow pulls you along perfectly. The song makes you feel like the riders it describes. There’s a great Nerdwriter video essay about it that got me into it.

How do you think the music scene will be shaped post-COVID?

I’m guessing for the near future music scenes will be more local, at least until touring is be back in full gear. Also, the ability to make music and distribute it (and potentially even make a living) without ever leaving the house (or even performing) is an option that didn’t exist up until recently and I’m sure this pandemic gave a lot of musicians a push in that direction. Whether these thing are good or bad is really an unknown to me. I love performing, I love seeing other artists perform, experiencing live music is a sensation I still need to have, even if it’s just a singer with a guitar, I think it’s super valuable.

As a solo project, what about performing with a band do you find most inspiring?

The surprise element is way bigger as there are more variables. When playing a solo show, beyond feeling inspired, surprises either come from the audience or me making a mistake and having to figure a way out of it. When playing with a band every small thing every person does different from the last time makes the show completely unique and refreshing to me. It can even be someone cracking a joke between songs that takes the playing dynamic to a whole different place.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

The words “don’t forget to like share and subscribe”.

Which was better Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network?

I don’t think we had either in Israel when I was a kid. I like the name “Nickelodeon” better.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

I released an album on September 4th! Every new album I work on makes me feel like I’m getting closer to that deep understanding of things art can give you a glimpse of and by the time a project is done and ready to go I know as much as I did when it started. But I’m somehow changed and renewed, I really do hope this sensation comes across in the music and is meaningful to people.

O Mer