Interview: OK Mayday spin plush soundscapes

Philospher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once remarked, “Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto.” During this year’s exhausting social and political upheaval, in addition to an ongoing global pandemic, music becomes far more than an enjoyable passtime. It is a salve to our collective anxiety-addled brains. Such is the case with alt/pop four-piece OK Mayday‘s blissful, languid new song, “Blossoms,” a soundscape so inescapably plush and rosy you’ll get lost in its sheets.

“Put your hand in mine,” lead vocalist David Bollman summons. A backbeat throbs, and the listener falls into a catatonic state, hypnotized by the song’s tingling vibrations. It’s the kind of celestial-bodied track that provokes something deep inside, and nearly three months since release, it rings even more vital to being a soothing agent. “I believe that when you’re able to help another person, it brings so much purpose to one’s life,” offers Bollman to B-Sides & Badlands over email, highliting music’s renewed importance these days. “And if we have the ability to stir positive emotions in another person ⏤ whether joy, healing, comfort, fun ⏤ through a song of ours, even for just a couple minutes, that’s extremely powerful.”

Initially a love song, “Blossoms” plants roots into a much grander theme of humanity. “The song grew into loving one another through all of this [bullshit],” he says. It remains true to its original intention but slathers on a more potent, timely coat, so when Bollman cries out for connection, the emotion runs hot and urgent. “Whether you’ve been in a marriage for years through all kinds of trials, or you’re in a friendship that’s become difficult but worth fighting for, or you actually are wanting the best for your neighbor, or maybe you’re believing more for your parents… it all comes down to love,” he continues.

“If we can’t love, it’s not worth it for us. The 2020 hardships will hopefully be like climbing a mountain, insanely difficult. But once we get to the top, we’ll see a breathtaking view. We hope it will help us to see, appreciate, and love one another even more.”

“Blossoms” could very well set the foundation for a forthcoming EP or full-length, but they’re not pushing it. The Virginia Beach-based band ⏤ rounded out with Matthew Osborn, Stephen Lee, and Kelly Bollmann ⏤ simply let the music speak far louder and clearer than they could. Below, Bollmann reflects on a very strange year, songwriting growth, and human connectivity.

How have you been feeling, creatively, the last few months, and have you written music together over Zoom like so many artists/songwriters?

Absolutely! One of us starts a song, then we “virtually pass” the song’s project along to each other through the gamma rays of WeTransfer or a Dropbox link. We’ve got a few new songs we’re currently working on that we’re excited about.

With a band composed of family members and long-time friends, do you experience much conflict at this point?

[laughs] Yes! Conflict at all points! I feel very fortunate that Kelly is my brother, and we’ve known Stephen and Matthew for years. However, the emotions can get intense about musical parts in songs to the silliness of bad communication. Since we’ve worked together and have known each other for so long, it’s easy to be taken for granted. It’s good to get back to the center of appreciating one another, and seeing the value that each band mate brings to the table.

Do you find your songwriting has grown in tandem with your growth as people?

For sure. We are learning that simplicity is key, and melody is king. As beginners, we tried to always cram too much into a song. We’re also still learning that it’s important to take a step back from a song to get fresh ears on it. We hope that as we age, our songs age better… not bitter.

To-date, you’re aesthetic veers into lush soundscapes. What fascinates you so much about this kind of alt-pop music?

[laughs] Now, you’re speaking our language! I’m re-working this quote a little bit, “Soundscapes are what feelings sound like.”

How has the pandemic given you a new appreciation for human connectivity?

I remember being part of the first Zoom call we did as a family. It was a little annoying at first because we had to reschedule a couple times, and some couldn’t end up being on the call. But once I saw everyone’s faces, it was 100 percent worth it! Didn’t realize how much I missed my fam. 

What else have you learned over the last five or six months?

Become good friends with a doomsdayer. All joking aside, it’s not a bad idea to have some canned goods and essentials stored in my house.

Even more, the country has been torn apart by the murders of George Floyd, Breaona Taylor, and countless more Black people. I noticed you made donations and have been speaking out on Instagram. Being in Virginia Beach, has what’s happened and continues to happen been eye-opening?

It truly is heart-wrenching to see what’s been happening. I couldn’t ever imagine an egregious act taking the life of one of my own family members. And I know a lot of people are thinking… if this happened to someone I loved, what would I do?

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