OWEL

Meet OWEL (Jay Sakong)

Who-who-who-who have we got for you fellas today? 

It’s OWEL (not the bird, note the extra “e”), a five-piece indie set straight outta New Jersey. These pals flew the coop for a wee while but flocked back together to create some pretty smooth tunes that will wiggle your tail feathers.

It’s not emo, but sometimes it is. 

Below, we chit chat with lead Jay Sakong to discuss his emo DNA, bad busses, and million dollar buns. 

Get on your perch and give it a gander.  

A self-portrait by, OWEL

Some Questions with OWEL

What are your top three albums released this year?

I'm terrible at keeping up with new music but the 1975, Billie Eilish, and Thom Yorke's Anima come to mind.

What is the best street food?

Cubano's.

How do you approach creating new music for a project that has had a few different iterations over the past decade?

I don't really set out to write for a new record. Every record tends to be just a collection of songs I wrote along the way since the last.

What is the worst form of public transportation? Why?

Buses. I just hate waiting for them.

Where is your favorite venue In NYC to play a show?

Brooklyn Steel, without a doubt.

What is the next milestone you hope to hit in your career?

I would love to tour Asia.

Do you see a direct relationship between tempo and emotion? If so does this impact your writing style?

I suppose. And yes - things at a slower tempo can feel like they have more weight, while songs at a faster tempo can feel happy or even manic at times.

What was your first job? Did you like it?

I worked in inventory of a clothing shop. And yeah, I liked it. I felt like my day was more important having a job.

To what extent do past emo/hardcore projects influence the creative voice of OWEL?

My voice tends to sound a little emo at times but, beyond that, not much. I mean, I grew up in Jersey at a time where Emo was THE thing, so it's hard to shed some of those tendencies from my DNA. So, I guess it comes out in ways here and there but not really intentionally.

Do you collect anything, what is it and why?

No, I lose or break everything. (Again the Emo comes out)

If the price was no object what would be the perfect bagel?

Sesame bun, toasted, with a million dollars in between the buns.

Who makes the collages for your album artwork? What is the underlying intention behind them?

I do. I just always liked seeing that kind of stuff when I was a kid. Photos that were taken during that exact moments of when the record was created. Maybe it humanized the process for me, and made me feel closer to it.

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

I just want to say thanks for listening!