Old Man River - Catharsis and Metamorphasis

Behind the organic, energetic and colourful sounds of Old Man River stands Ohad Rein - a man who lives music, optimism and insight. Ohad Rein is a talented musician who draws inspiration from life, from experience, from people. “I actually get inspired from everyone I hear. I just love it when I hear someone and without even knowing why I just get drawn into the song. It resonates with me in someway…” Yet ever discerning, Old Man River is quick to educate “Sometimes you need to get inspired to know what not to do as well as what you should do.”

And it’s this wisdom beyond album-making years as it were, that may be the reason why Old Man River’s debut album Good Morning has been embraced with such open arms. “It’s a very strange and exciting feeling when songs that I wrote in my bedroom end up being played on radio and adopted by people as their personal soundtracks.” Ohad reveals “The other day someone sent my a YouTube link to a video that was taken in a soccer game somewhere in Italy and the entire crowd were cheering their team in Italian using the melody of my song ‘La’ when I saw that I really felt like that song left home if you know what I mean”

I ask the vibrant, exceptional songwriter whether he believes such a unique name- Ohad Rein perhaps destined him to become great. Ohad responds, “Well if anyone wants their kid to be great they should name him Alexander or Jay Z.” He continues, “Ohad is a Hebrew name. If you play with the letters it means beloved.” A name denoting much love and Old Man River- the boy who delivers magical music, loved by all who stumble across it. Perhaps his parents knew of Old Man River’s gift all along.

While still drinking in the success of Good Morning, Old Man River is already pumped to make a killer follow-up album. “I’m actually really psyched about the next album. The new songs are already piling up and we even started playing a lot of them in our shows to test them out. Whatever ends up with this next album I’m sure it will be different and probably better. I can testify for myself that my song writing and playing just gets better all the time. It’s in a constant state of evolution.” To backup such revelations Ohad continues, “Have you guys seen Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues film? It’s about jazz musician and one of the characters says (in some point) “There are two things that just keep getting mo’ better; sex and music!”

Old Man River has spent the duration of 2007 touring with the likes of Josh Pyke, Bob Evans and Youth Group. Ohad is grateful for the support he has received. “I think every band we’ve been touring with whether we supported them or they supported us has been very helpful to the process. It’s a pretty romantic ideal travelling around the country and the world in order to sing and play for people and I’m always happy to see that I’m not alone on that mission.” When asked what he rates the year’s hectic schedule out of ten Ohad says “Lets give it 9 so we leave more for the future! This year was amazing very full very busy.”

Old Man River is a man aware of and very much in touch with the power of music. “Music is a mind-changing medium.” He reveals, “ I know it because music changed the way I see the world.”

When asked if he believes there is a place for musicians to combine politics with their music Ohad states with convincing understanding, “If they wish to why not? Sometimes the messages come in a subliminal way and don’t have to be so explicit.” He continues, “When I hear a love song for example it will actually have a bigger effect on me and on how I’d want to live my life, more than any politician’s speech would have.”

As summer arrives for another glorious season, Old Man River will be embarking upon the Falls Festival line-ups at both Lorne in Victoria and Tasmania’s own Marion Bay. When asked whether he will have pencil and paper on standby he laughs, “Well you should never miss a chance when the muse comes knocking at your door! I wish I could write a song journo style with a pencil and paper what I really need is a dictaphone… to record all the random melodies I sometimes hear in my head. Instead I usually end up recording it on my voice mail calling my own mobile phone.”

Following the Falls Festivals Old Man River is hoping for a touch of R and R; “Swimming in the ocean and eating watermelon with feta cheese.” According to Ohad “It’s a winning combo.” 2008 will see Old Man River undergo an extensive Australian tour followed by a visit to Japan where Good Morning is due for release. Also on the cards are Europe and the USA. “It’s gonna be a big year.” Asserts Ohad.

And something about the positive energy that is Old Man River assures me that 2008 will indeed be big. “Sometimes when you are setting yourself for an ‘x’ result you might be aiming too low. All you need to do is open up to any possibility bad or good.” Ohad explains, “I can only do the best I can. Make the best album I can, play the best show I can and however the world responds to it I have no control over.” Nevertheless he concludes, “It will be what it will be, and it will be perfect.”

Share this article on Facebook