Photo Credit: Matthew Blum
Who are you and what is your role in the band?
I’m Emma Hoeflinger, and I play guitar and sing in Oginalii.
How did the band get started?
Well, Karalyne (drums) and I met in college, freshman year. I had some songs I demo-ed out and had her sing on them with me and the rest kind of unfolded from there. Since then, we’ve had line-up changes and instrument switch-ups, and what you have now is the result of a lot of growing up.
Who are your influences and how do they play a role in your sound?
I’m a Zeppelin fanatic. I have two Zep tattoos already and planning my third now. So they’re a big one for sure. I also grew up around a lot of jazz fusion and hardcore/punk music. Bands like Bane and Terror have such intensity in the their music and I want to create an atmosphere like that. However, the crisp and beautiful voices of bands like Steely Dan soften the blow. Then there’s Modest Mouse whose lyrical content and music is completely and entirely unique. Isaac Brock is a magician. I could go on for a while, so I’ll just leave you with that.
What has been your most meaningful experience being in this band so far?
It’s been a wild ride, but I’d say this one moment recently when a girl came up to us after a show. She told me how much she loved our music and thought we were helping push the movement for female musicians. I legit started crying. Everything I work for had validity in those few minutes.
Favorite memory from a show you’ve played or a place you’ve travelled?
We played this house show in Atlanta about a year ago that was absolutely amazing. I was visiting home and was at Krog Street in Atlanta and was just discussing how we needed to book a house show. These two dudes overheard me and no joke were trying to book one the day we needed. It fell together in this impossibly perfect way. I love musicians because of this. Were a giving group of people.
What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
I want to create art that not only says something musically but screams into the world words that mean something. I want to say something worthwhile that can last. Otherwise, what the hell am I working towards?
Something about you that no one knows?
Well, I have no shame and am an open book to my own fault most of the time, so this is hard. Probably how intense I used to be about basketball. I played for 10 years and was seriously considering working towards a college career, however I spread myself too thin with music, theatre, and sports so I had to focus on one thing. I guess it worked out in my favor.
What is next for the band?
Tour!!! Lots of shows coming up and more music to come. It’s been hard to write with so much going on and having to save up to go out on the road, but I like the new stuff that we’ve got cooking up. It’s tasty as hell.
Anything else you want to add?
Stay tuned for our new EP, The Grey. It has a lot to offer your ears. Peace and Blessings my homies.
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