Blues and soul artist Oscar LaDell is set to bring his unique blend of influences to The Beast in Brunswick East every Wednesday night in October.
Blues and soul artist Oscar LaDell is bringing his unique blend of influences to The Beast in Brunswick East every Wednesday night in October. Known for his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics, LaDell’s music draws from a variety of inspirations, including 60s and 70s soul icons like Ann Peebles and Curtis Mayfield, as well as modern artists such as Leon Bridges and Hozier.
Reflecting on those influences, LaDell says, “It’s always flattering to be compared to such great singer-songwriters like Leon and Hozier – I don’t know if I’ll be attending their shows as I have a busy summer tour coming up, but I’d certainly like to make it if I can!” He adds, “I hope that Leon would catch the ways he’s influenced my songwriting. I’m sure they could both give me some tips.”
Oscar LaDell at The Beast
- Dates: Wednesday nights throughout October
- Location: The Beast, Brunswick East
- Tickets: FREE!
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He’s currently working on his imminent new EP, No Blue, a process that was equally shaped by a blend of old and new, as LaDell explains, “When we were making the EP, we definitely had a list of influences in mind: lots of 70s and 60s soul like Peebles and Mayfield particularly. There was this one RH Factor song (featuring D’Angelo) that we came back to a lot as well called I’ll Stay. It sounds so good and is such a cool mix of old stuff (it’s a Funkadelic cover) and new stuff.”
LaDell’s live shows reflect his passion for improvisation and collaboration with his band, which makes each performance a unique experience. “Something I love about playing with my band is the improvisation we all bring to our gigs. Expect the unexpected! Every song is a little different every time, and we leave plenty of room for each player to breathe.”
His goal is to connect with audiences who share his love for blues and soul music. “I would hope that my music connects to people who love the stuff I love: blues and soul music. Additionally, a lot of my songs are about depression, hope, and finding love in hard times, so I hope people can find something comforting and affecting in that.”
Having lived in various places, LaDell feels particularly inspired by the scenery of Purākaunui. “Of all the places I’ve lived, Purākaunui really feels like home, and its scenery has affected my writing hugely. So much of the sound I’m going for is just trying to communicate the feeling of being there at dusk, and I feel like I use a lot of oceanic, natural imagery in my lyrics too.”
A standout song from his setlist is Stone Man, which holds a special place in LaDell’s heart. “I wrote it like five years ago, and the lyrics are so simple it really sums up the way I feel in ways I don’t really like to talk about. I also just love singing it because the melody is fun.”
Recording at Sound Recordings with Alex Bennet was a memorable experience for LaDell. “Firstly, he’s just really good at his job, so it’s easy finding sounds and he never holds you up. It’s also just so cool and interesting working with tape – I love how physical it is, and it really makes you think about the choices you make. There’s no screen to look at when you’re listening, so my main memory of mixing is the funny positions we would sit in while we listened to the songs in the headphones.”
LaDell is excited about his residency at The Beast and the opportunity to build a connection with the venue over the course of the month. “I just love playing! I really like how comfortable a residency allows you to become in a space – we’ll definitely know how to play a gig at The Beast by November. I’ve really liked The Beast since I moved here in 2022. It’s the perfect mix of chill and thought out!”
He’s also gearing up for new releases, saying, “I’m releasing music next month as well – my next single Dream of You comes out at the end of the month, and Hurts the Same is already out, so I’m just excited to share those songs with whoever comes down with the band.”
Oscar LaDell’s October residency at The Beast in Brunswick East promises an intimate, soulful night of live music every Wednesday. Follow The Beast here.
