Granite Island Discs: Oscar Ellery
SONS OF ZÖKU member and The Note’s Account Manager Oscar Ellery gives us the lowdown on his favourite songs, album and music-related moment.
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What five songs would you take to a desert island?
1. Spiritualized – ‘I Think I’m in Love’
2. Neil Young – ‘For the Turnstiles’
3. Angel Olsen – ‘Right Now’
4. John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat – ‘Boogie Chillen No.2’
5. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – ‘Moanin’
These five songs could be totally different on any given day. My taste is broad and erratic, hence the wide cast net of genre. I figured I’d need a bit of everything. However, [these] five songs by no means cover the spectrum of musical styles I’d need to survive on an island – I’m missing something heavy, some funk and many more.
If you could only pick one, what would it be?
Neil Young – ‘For the Turnstiles’. It’s the shortest song on the list, but I feel I could listen to it on repeat all day, every day. It never gets old. Plus, Neil Young’s songwriting hits me in a way that no other artist or band has ever managed to do. He is the ultimate ‘feel’ songwriter. Lastly, this song (and whole album for that matter) is, sonically, just how I like my music served: warm, vintage, and alive… yet still with enough punch and definition.
What’s your favourite album?
This is something I ponder often and have never really been able to come to any form of conclusion. One that seems to always be in the mixing pot is Revelation by The Brian Jonestown Massacre. I’d say it’s a record that shaped my music taste and trajectory. I love a record that allows you to tap into its unique sonic ecosystem and escape reality – Revelation does that for me and holds a special place in my heart.
What’s your favourite song by an SA artist or band?
‘I’m in Love’ by The Shadow Ministers. It’s absolutely the real deal. It has enough raw power to stand up to anything Iggy Pop’s ever done, with a steezy rock ‘n’ roll attitude that Keith Richards would be proud of. It’s rare these days to hear a recording with that raw, live in-the-room energy which great ‘60s and ‘70s records [have], but this is an exception. This song is a powerhouse. (Great dudes also… ).
Favourite music-related memory?
I feel somewhat guilty not citing a performance memory, as I’ve been lucky enough to play many amazing shows. However, if I’m honest with myself, most of my favourite music memories are as a spectator. I love playing live, but watching a band is really where I get my kicks. In 2019, I was lucky enough to attend Bluesfest Byron Bay, where I was treated to, without a doubt, the most powerful and emotional performance of my life. Marcus King – a southern rock blues guitarist whose voice is like Janis Joplin meets Howlin' Wolf – emptied every inch of his soul onto the stage across two hours. [He had] the most emotionally charged music I’ve ever witnessed. The young South Carolina bluesman played guitar like it was always intended to be played – hard and fast yet with ample soul, which made every note count. However, it was his voice that got me. When he sang, it was totally soul crushing in the best way possible. Every single person in the crowd was left jaw-dropped and no doubt a few tears were shed. I feel blessed to have been there. Something special was in the air that night and Marcus King, his band and their wall of vintage gear harnessed it. It changed my life.
