Tash Keary started her journey learning the drums as a 9-year-old. The only musician in her family, it felt more a hobby than a calling until she joined grassroots music organisation Tomorrow’s Warriors in 2018, becoming part of their Female Frontline band. Playing in London’s jazz scene, she crossed paths with saxophonist Joe Henwood, building a reputation in the capital after a decade with afro-jazz outfit Nubiyan Twist. Meeting after being hired for the same gig in 2019, they started to improvise together. Last year’s EP Slice, one of the most exciting, experimental, and intense releases of 2023, was their debut record. Honing their fearless sound through a residency at Brixton’s iconic venue The Windmill, as well as on support slots across the UK and Europe with fellow heavyweights black midi and Gilla Band, O. – the London-based duo – have now distilled their unique live energy into their debut album, WeirdOs. Featuring production from Dan Carey, WeirdOs is Tash and Joe at their most raucous and free. Across 10 tracks of high-octane instrumentals recorded live to tape, the duo encompass everything from cathartic dancefloor drops, to junglist breakbeats, intricate jazz lines, and sludgy, menacing doom metal.

What They Say: “WeirdOs is a dark, heavy album based around our love of riffy basslines, blast beats, dub, noise, and all the weird sounds in between. It was recorded live across two weeks in the studio with Dan Carey and aims to replicate the feeling of being at one of our gigs. The album name is inspired by people coming up to us after shows and saying, ‘this feels like music for weirdos’.”

“A short rock/metal rinse out. To match the distorted amp sounds coming from Joe, we put Tash’s drums through distorted guitar amps on this one. It’s named after Tash’s favourite green flannel shirt, that was lost several times and then eaten by a dog.”

Their Mixtape: “We are O. a drums and baritone saxophone duo based in South London making noisey riff music. We have just released our debut album WeirdOs, a collection of songs we have been playing for the past few years recorded live with the legend Dan Carey. 

Joe’s picks:

Louis Cole – Phone

Heavy and beautiful I love this song. It’s cheesy but I guess it makes me think of the special people who will always pick up the phone when you ring them.

Little Dragon – Constant Surprises

One of my favourite bass lines of all time, still trying to learn it myself after years of trying! Reminds me of driving to gigs in the sunshine.

Beak> – Wulfstan II

We first heard this tune the night we finished tracking our album having dinner with Dan and his awesome family. Dan put this album on vinyl and this song got turned up really loud:) 

Tash’s picks:

Radiohead – True Love Waits (Live in Oslo)

One of my all time favourite songs, this track has that special Radiohead brand of absolute misery to it. It’s also really tender and open, and for me it’s one of those songs that goes just as well with a good, sunny day as it does with a bad, rainy one. The Moon Shaped Pool version is great too, but this one has something special about it.

Snõõper – Running

I came across this band in Austin, and love the playfulness of all their music. This track reminds me of being crammed in at a tiny sweaty venue, which is probably my favourite way to watch a gig.

De La Soul – Tread Water

3 Feet High and Rising is one of my go to travelling albums, and this song can consistently make situations like our instruments not showing up at the airport, or a super long drive,   much brighter. 

WeirdOs is out now, on Speedy Wunderground Records. Look HERE for more information on O..