Oscar Lang has now been to L.A.
You’re cruising down the freeway, roof off and sunglasses on. The cassette clicks - queue Oscar Lang’s Hollywood-hymn I’ve Never Been to LA.
22-year-old British songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Oscar Lang presents a happy union between a dream and a rock concert. Lang began producing and releasing his dreamscapes from his bedroom in 2017, chronicling the weird and wonderful experiences of today’s youth, commencing with the hit, She Likes Another Boy.
Whilst his inward-looking lullabies from 2018’s EP To Whom it May Concern provide a soundtrack to those with teary diary entries, last year’s debut album Chewing The Scenery delivers audible air-punches to those less gloomy. It’s clear he understands our angst, our heartbreak and, of course, our fondness for irony.
Photos by Nicole Busch
Since the days sat at his childhood piano, Oscar’s discovery now glitters with several EPs, equal parts rugged and well-crafted, which showcase the multifaceted nature of his music and often feature distinguished collaborators, such as Beabadoobee, JAWNY and Alfie Templeman.
A year on from his album release, Oscar is back with this summer’s road-trip headliner, I’ve Never Been to LA, featuring Dirty Hit labelmate and LA resident Wallice.
Only, Oscar has now in fact been to LA, on a mission to pair the tune with an equally star spangled visual, a music video which provides those less lucky with a snapshot of the city’s famed clichés.
This week we caught up with Oscar to find out how he enjoyed LA-ing about.
LB: Hey Oscar. How are you doing? Scale of 1-10?
OL: I’d say I’m operating at a clean 6 right now. The time between releases always has me chomping at the bit to get more stuff out.
You write, record and produce your music, what’s it like being a triple threat?
It means you listen to your own song a LOT of times.
Do you have a favourite part of the creative process?
That first initial spark and energy of coming up with an idea. The fun sometimes trails off when you have to sit and really think hard about lyrics or production. Although there’s no sweeter feeling than really working hard to squeeze out some lyrics and finally stepping back once you’ve finished to see what you’ve created.
Photos by Nicole Busch
I’ve never been to LA discusses people travelling to the city to find their ‘breakaway’ and your debut album Chew the Scenery was recorded over a month spent in Liverpool, do you find that a location or place is important to creativity?
I think that location is hugely influential to what you’re recording, both physically and metaphorically. I first learned I could actually belt out quite loud when I first started working in studios. Because suddenly had no limit on how much noise I could make compared to my bedroom. Funnily enough I ended up doing some writing out in LA and everything I wrote does sound very LA-ey.
Being based in London, is there anything about it or anywhere in particular that inspires you?
I think the low-hum of the city and the fact that’s its always moving keeps me inspired. There’s so much mental stimulation everywhere that it keeps the brain switched on. Not to mention it’s incredibly easy to record the street outside for some cool background noise for a song.
You’ve finally been to LA to shoot the music video, did it live up to expectation?
Yes. It is exactly what I thought it would be like. Lots of Hot Yoga and White Claw.
And where to next?
Hopefully the rest of America! I think the thing I like about the USA is the sense of space. It’s nice to get away from the cramped stuffy air of London.
There's definitely some kind of LA(ng) pun to be made here… anyway, what was the best thing about LA?
The Tacos.
The video is raw-cut real-life dream and brought some much needed irony to the LA clichés - what was your favourite part of filming?
I think pulling up to In-N-Out in a limo has got to be a highlight for me. It’s fun to pretend to be a celebrity for a night.
Are there other clichés that you secretly enjoyed?
The whole of LA is one big cliché. I was at a party a few days after the shoot at some mad bachelor pad in the Hollywood hills surrounded by White Claws, Influencers and trap music. Found myself sat in the corner laughing at the absurdity of it all. But also very happy to be there laughing at it all.
As you show in the music video, the track is almost made for a drive down the freeway, what other songs would we find on your road trip playlist?
I have a playlist called ‘All Bangers, No Clangers’ that is perfect for road trips. A few notable mentions: You Get What You Give, Murder On The Dancefloor and Party In The USA. Pure Bangers.
You’ve described Chew The Scenery as a “night at the theatre”, could you describe to us your perfect night?
My perfect night would be locked in a studio with all my mates, relentlessly jamming until the sun rises.
Photos by Nicole Busch
And what kind of night is I’ve never been to LA?
I’ve never been to LA is the type of night where you’ve just bought a new outfit and you walk down the street and catch yourself in the reflection of a window and you’re walking with the swagger of a movie star.
Is being part of the Dirty Hit clan as great as it looks to the rest of us?
It’s great. I’m very lucky that they believe in me enough to not have any input on the music side of things. It’s nice to have a label that trusts your art.
You’ve become known for mixing up your music style, what is your current creative fixation?
My current creative fixation is video art. I’ve finished my second album now so I’m spending my time trying to figure out ways to make interesting little video bits. I’m also making ambient house dance music at the moment that I’m hoping will see the light of day one day.
Who have you been listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to : Amyl and the Sniffers, The Smile, Dorothy Ashby and this wonderful musician Hohnen Ford who I just discovered recently. She has one of my favourite voices I’ve ever heard.
And before you go, what do you listen to on the Last Bus (or perhaps plane) home?
An album by this pianist, H Hunt, called ‘ Playing Piano for Dad’. It’s my go to travel music and is hugely influential on some of my piano stuff.