Who TF is Oscar Lang?

We had a chat with London-based artist Oscar Lang, who is fast making a name for himself with his unique bedroom brit-pop sound.

Bedroom pop is a genre of music that seems to becoming more prevalent by the day lately, with more and more artists deciding to take their art into their own hands, it can become increasingly hard to stand out and really plant your flag in the genre. Thankfully, for London-based Oscar Lang, standing out seems to be what his sound was made for. Whether crafting heartfelt, low-key ballads or in-your-face, Britpop-channeling, swaggering stormers such as latest offerings ‘Apple Juice’ and ‘Get Out’, Oscar Lang’s music is wrapped in British panache and personality and looks to set the artist apart.

These inventive, captivating sounds and the memorable personality that came with them inevitably got people talking before long at all, and in this case, “people” included renowned independent British label Dirty Hit Records, where Oscar has been, and is doing some of the finest work of his young career. With his latest EP Hand Over Your Head set for release next month, we figured there was no better time to get better acquainted with one of British musics rising artists.

Who TF is Oscar Lang?

I’m Oscar Lang, I’m 20 years old from SW London and I like to make tunes

How long have you been making music?

I’ve been making music ever since I was a kid and was a self-proclaimed youtuber who made imagine dragons covers, but I actually started taking it seriously in 2016

Why do you make music?

I guess I make music as a way of dealing with my emotions and experiences, there’s something very cathartic and satisfying about making a song yourself.

What are your biggest influences?

It’s hard to say what my influences are as I’m always adding more tunes to my playlist, but right now atm I’ve been listening to a lot of acoustic-rock type stuff like Ty Segall, Beck and Parquet Courts

Photos: Korrie Powell

What would you say has been your best moment so far?

We managed to play some of the new songs we’re releasing, live before lockdown started. So I’d say that was my greatest moment as it gave us a little taste for what playing those songs live would be like. I think all of my favorite moments have been something to do with us playing a show.

What would you say has been your best moment so far?

It’s like a mix between brit-pop and bedroom pop with an evil twist. I think Jack Saunders called my tune like poison so if I had to make a genre name it would probably be ‘Poison-Pop’

What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?

If I played a big show at Reading Fest I think i’d definitely have one of them ‘oh fuck’ moments, it was my first festival so it will always have a special place in my heart.

We love your latest single ‘Apple Juice’, can you tell us some more about it?

Me and Rich Turvey sat down to write this tune and came out with a near finished version in 4 hours, it’s one of those songs that just falls from up above into your lap.

Your sound has gained attention for its very DIY, self-made aesthetic that turns into these wide and varied soundscapes, how do you find the process of crafting your tracks?

Ahh thank you! I guess that’s because a lot of it is very DIY, I usually start with chords and then layer stuff up on top of it after.

And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?

Ooo haha probably my girlfriend.

Hand Over Your Head is out September 11th via Dirty Hit.