photos by Pietro Bondi
We at The Shaman have been long-time fans of the man, the myth, and the legend that is CONNY OCHS…” – The Sleeping Shaman
This Friday, Exile On Mainstream will release the entrancing new LP from Halle, Germany-based folk/rock singer/songwriter CONNY OCHS, the German-sung Wahn Und Sinn. Popular underground music site The Sleeping Shaman is hosting an exclusive advance stream of the record now.
Four-and-a-half years have passed since CONNY OCHS’ most recent album, Doom Folk. During the Coronavirus lockdowns, the artist had the time to go through a collection of notebooks that he had amassed during his time in Hamburg, Berlin, and while traveling as a singer in various bands. This was collected under the title Wahn Und Sinn, initially to be published independently. However, from the collaboration with Tobias Vethake aka Sicker Man at Trialogos also arose the desire and the idea to work together another time. CONNY OCHS developed rough melodies for the lyrics. The aim was to avoid the singer/songwriter approach that had previously characterized CONNY OCHS’ music. The initial experiment turned into an album whose cover, for the first time, does not feature artwork by the artist himself but a picture by Scottish artist Abi Salvesen. Here, too, a departure from his usual way of working is manifested.
Wahn Und Sinn will be released on LP with a CD included. The book will also be available as a limited edition with a bundled CD at concerts. In the Exile On Mainstream webshop, the record and book will be available individually or as a bundle. Finally, the content of the record complements the content of the book, inspired by the confrontation with the poems from the years 2000-2010. The book and the insert included with the album contain all texts in German and English. Also on the album is Conny’s longtime friend and companion Hannes Scheffler, who also handled the final production, mixing, and mastering of the record, as well as Anna Ochs as the singer on the track “Lumos.”
As an experimental excursion and reflection, Wahn Und Sinn thus forms the transition to a new chapter in CONNY OCHS’s creative work, which is to be followed by a new official album as early as Spring 2024.
OCHS discloses, “This album has made a particular journey. As I was diving into lost texts in 2021 to compose a selection of poems in my mother’s tongue, I came to feel the urge to connect these texts with the music I was writing at that time. There seemed to be a lost chapter of songs and perceptions I could only illustrate in German language.
“In addition to that, I already found myself on a journey to invent a new way for me to write and compose. I had previously worked with Tobias Vethake on the Trialogos album, and the pieces seemed to fit. Then I just threw it all into the stew.
“I am so very curious as to how people will perceive this journey, both the book and the album. I hope it can shed a different light on the themes that seem to reappear in my writing.”
With their premiere of the album, The Sleeping Shaman writes, “We at The Shaman have been long-time fans of the man, the myth, and the legend that is CONNY OCHS when he first hit these bleak isles in 2012. At that time, he was not only driver and tour manager, he was also playing as support, along with Darsombra, to Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich… Since that first meeting, a friendship was born, and we’ve been watching his career progress ever since. Firstly, as a solo artist, then collaborating with Wino on Heavy Kingdom, playing an integral role with experimental psychonauts Trialogos and now in 2023, he’s delved into his archives to bring us the truly stunning Wahn Und Sinn…”
Listen to CONNY OCHS’ entire Wahn Und Sinn first at The Sleeping Shaman RIGHT HERE.
Exile On Mainstream will release Wahn Und Sinn this Friday, October 20th. Find physical preorders HERE, digital preorders at Bandcamp HERE, and digital presaves HERE, and watch the mesmerizing “Hickhack” video HERE.
Following two superb record release shows for Wahn Und Sinn in Dresden and Halle, CONNY OCHS is booking additional live excursions in support of the album. Expect further live announcements to post shortly and watch for new details on his next upcoming album to post early in the new year.
https://www.connyochs.com
https://www.facebook.com/conny.ochs
https://www.instagram.com/connyochs
https://connyochs.bandcamp.com
http://www.mainstreamrecords.de
https://www.youtube.com/@exileonmainstream3639