Ohtis Debut Album Streaming Now

24 July, 2019
Written by Marky Edison

After a successful string of shows across North America & the UK, Ohtis re-present their debut album, Curve of Earth, with four live favourites, including a beautiful cover of Townes Van Zandt’s ‘Only Him Or Me’, streaming now.

“’Only Him or Me’ is off my favourite Townes record, Delta Momma Blues, which has some of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard on it - especially the last two - right next to some deceptively happy sounding ones”, explains Ohtis’ Sam Swinson. ”It’s one of many of his in regular rotation over the years. I think ‘Rex’s Blues’ was my dog Bobo’s favourite song. He also liked ‘Flyin Shoes’, ‘Dollar Bill Blues’, ‘Our Mother the Mountain’, ‘No Place to Fall’, ‘Two Girls’ and pretty much every other one. My buddy Alex Willard sent me a recording of himself playing ‘Catfish Song’ on his mom’s piano which made me want to learn that one next. Same thing happened when Casey Lynne Barr played me ‘Flyin Shoes’ by a campfire in her backyard in Missouri years ago. Both of whom write great songs of their own.”

The new deluxe version of the album, out on August 9 via Full Time Hobby, also includes a new song ‘I Am Aware’ as well as new recordings of ‘Settling’ and album track ‘Black Blood’. The beautifully dark country-Americana and vivid lyricism on Curve of Earth is a fitting introduction to songwriter Sam Swinson's autobiographical journey through indoctrination and addiction; an endlessly inviting confession from his past battles with substance abuse, and the religious demons lingering from his upbringing in a fundamentalist evangelical cult.

Curve of Earth is a beautiful, shocking, deeply emotional experience, informed by Sam’s issues but finding hope in the bleakest moments. “It feels like a long time coming,” he says. “We’re ready.” This year has seen Ohtis play mesmerizing festival shows at SXSW and The Great Escape and they will soon return to the UK & Europe, including a performance at End of The Road Festival in August.