Daily Inspiration: Meet Christian Ohly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Ohly.

Hi Christian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ohly started when I, Christian Ohly, was 16. I started playing cover songs at coffee shops and began writing music in college. A couple of years, I started taking the trade more seriously by playing shows of only original music, trying to write the best songs I could, and recording music.

I found a few musicians who are now also close friends and have been along for the ride for a few years now. Ohly is Pia Roa (Bass/Vocals) Tom Mihalis (Electric Guitar) Matt Jones (Drums) and Ian Lukas (Trombone). Some inspirations are The Avett Brothers, Van Morrison, & Death Cab for Cutie.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, yes! When we first started playing shows it was often for empty rooms, but that’s just what happens when bands first start. Finding a band was tough too, but I’m very thankful for the people I get to play music with now.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Folk Rock/Singer-songwriter music. I try to be different with my lyrics by sharing detailed stories in every song. Thanks to my good friends & producers John Katona, Alden Arakaki, and Tom Mihalis, Ohly music has always had a high studio production value. A lot of bands have to start out recording music in their bedroom and releasing that, but I haven’t really had any lo-fi, DIY releases.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Definitely high. I’ve read that music is 90% luck and 10% hard work. A YouTube channel shares one of my songs and it now has over 300k views.

I didn’t have any control over the channel hearing my song other than the marketing work I put in, but they really reached out to me for the upload out of the blue. Later, a Brazilian Vlogger used the song in his video, which led to a lot of listeners in Brazil! There are a few other things like this that have happened which have boosted my streams which is always nice.

I played soccer all my life through college, so like to compare music and sports. If they have the raw talent, I think folks can be more disciplined and work harder than others and have a good chance of being professional athletes. With music, there really isn’t a guarantee you’ll make it, regardless of the effort.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: solo.to/ohlymusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohlymusic/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ohlymusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ohlymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNSwsoT85k4
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ohlymusic

Image Credits
Alexis Backus