Indie pop singer and songwriter OSKA Shares Her bittersweet new song “Woodstock”.
The Austrian songwriter is no stranger to heartache yet OSKA knows how to get over something or someone and laughs itOff charmingly: “Woodstock is a song about my dumb, old car and getting over the fact that I probably won’t be in someone’s life; just like I’ll never be a part of a festival that took place over 50 years ago. I wish I was but it’s impossible. And that’s okay.”
“Woodstock” follows previously released singles “Crooked Teeth,” and “Lousy T-Shirt,”Which will be featured on OSKA’s anticipated full- length debut album!
Tell us about the story of your act.
OSKA is me, my songs, my stories. I grew up as the youngest of five children, with my mom being an elementary school teacher and my dad somewhat of a free spirit. I find myself somewhere in the middle. My mom used to sing with us all the time, which has shaped me the most I would say. At some point I started writing songs and I never stopped since.
What is the message behind your art?
I‘m just writing songs to deal with stuff in a positive way. If people can find themselves in the songs then that‘s amazing.
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
Movies, stories and other musicians like Regina Spektor, Phoebe Bridgers or Joan Baez.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
I think Arlo Parks is a role model and someone who radiates kindness. I’m inspired by her artistry.
All-time favorite record?
„Carrie & Lowell“ – Sufjan Stevens
It‘s a hard question but that‘s the album I’ve probably listened to the most over the last few years.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about.
„Starstruck“ is a song inspired by the movie „Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind“. It‘s about celebrating all the cool people you have in your life while also dealing with the fear of losing someone.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
I don’t think about genres a lot. I just try to find sounds that fit the song; discover what the song needs. Sometimes I have a certain production in mind after I write a song and draw inspiration from the production work of other artists. It’s good to have a vision but I guess you just need to feel it out song by song.
What excites you the most about what you do?
Writing and performing. Meeting people and having a positive impact by hopefully giving them a good feeling.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I tend to be afraid of the unknown. But learning to embrace change and I think that’s what’s gonna happen a lot in the next 5 years: change. In my personal life, my career and also the world in general. I’m open to a lot of things. I’m thinking about moving and I do still see myself on stage, performing my music.
Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics?
What helped me a lot is to do stuff that I ended up not liking. That’s the best way for me to figure out what I DO like. It’s a lot of trial and error and not giving up after you’ve been disappointed or not happy with an outcome.
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
I honestly can’t think of a daunting moment right now. Things that I was very upset about once seem unimportant now. That’s the amazing thing about time. I remember being disappointed a lot but now I see that these experiences shaped me in a good way. I’m way more courages, resilient; more myself.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
To know that people work with you because of YOU and YOUR ideas. I’m still learning this, always thinking „Why does THIS person want to work with ME“, always looking up to other people and underestimating what I can do. It’s important to believe in yourself, as cliché as it sounds. I’m still learning this.
Where do you think the next game-changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
The music and entertainment scene has always been very male oriented. Representation is changing and so will the industry, the music, productions, movies, stories; everything. For example in Austria we have a handful of FLINTA producers. A few years ago we had none. Their music is different, fresh, new and they’re inspiring other FLINTA’s to also produce. It’s something that’s happening everywhere and it’ll change the game. And I’m so excited for it.
