Portland-based duo foamboy, consisting of vocalist Katy Ohsiek and producer Wil Bakula, released their debut album My Sober Daydream last year. It mostly went unnoticed, unfortunately, but these urbanites in the Great Pacific Northwest showed the world (and themselves) that they could expertly execute 4/4-related indie-pop with jazzy-house-disco vibes and lyrics that speak to Gen-Z malaise.
The general public didn’t get it. Couldn’t attach pleasant warm-hearted musical arrangements with lyrics that deal with uncertainty and self-doubt. That didn’t stop the experience from giving the duo confidence to follow their own quirky path. They reasoned that if they didn’t take themselves too seriously, they would be able to produce with ease.
(Even their name foamboy rings with Northwest indie spirit—it was inspired by an advertisement for a company called The Foam Man outside of Corvallis, Oregon. “I suppose they fix couches? Ohsiek said through email.)
“Not A Go,” their new single, is a searing, uptempo, keyboard-fueled, hum-along and recite arrangement, built on punchy melodies, and wide-open stretches for lyrical trumpet solos that compel you to pay attention when performed live. Last month, they performed here at Popscene, with an extended ensemble that included Chang Park on trumpet, Greyfean Eastland on drums, Jarryd Venti on bass, and August King on keys and talkbox, the vocoder-looking instrument foamboy blew the damn doors off.
On ‘Not a Go,” Ohsieks’ lyrics describe “being caught in a ‘flirtationship’ that isn’t going anywhere.” Supported by Bakula’s plucky, chest-out and swinging arrangements, the single has a veneer of pleasantness. Doubling down on articulating difficult situations, yet keeping things so groove-laden. It’s the classic foamboy approach.
