Comprised of singer and guitarist Jack, guitarist Ric, bassist Phil and drummer Felix, Oh Papa’s sound has a luscious, dreamlike quality that washes over you, making you feel as though you’re on a beach somewhere rather than in cold, dark Sheffield. We caught up with the band after they opened for SPACE at the O2 Academy on 24th February to find out more about them and what they’ve been up to.

How did you guys meet, and when did you start playing together?

Jack: I met Ric in my second year of university, and we formed a pretty strong bond over musical interests. And then from there, we had an original drummer, but he left for university and we found Felix through a mutual music teacher, and then we found Phil through the guy we recorded with, who suggested him as an incredible bassist.

Phil: We’ve been together for about a year and a half as the current Oh Papa.

What kind of atmosphere do you aim to create at your gigs?

Jack: We recognise that our music isn’t ‘dancey’ music or whatever, but we want everybody to be happy. It’s happy music. I think it’s about finding that balance in the medium of a live gig, you need to make sure it’s bouncing and everyone’s having a good time but [our music] is, in essence, relaxing and pretty.

Felix: It’s holiday music. Like a dream soundtrack.

Jack: There’s this weird woman at the pub who always approaches people. I was sat outside having a beer with Ric once and she was sat across from me, and she rubbed her hand on my thigh. 

Felix: And she gave you a kiss on the cheek, and said you looked great.

Jack: She did. Anyway, she said ‘when I go on holiday, I’m going to listen to your music’. And they’re the ones who you know are telling the truth, you know, weird drunk people. They don’t hold back.

What’s been your favourite performance so far?

Jack: Mine personally was Nottingham Dot to Dot festival. It was just a really nice day.

Felix: Oh, cheers mate.

Jack: That’s the one gig Felix didn’t play.

Phil: That’s why it was our favourite! It’s always nice when we play Jam Cafe in Nottingham too. We’ve done like three gigs there, and they’re very attentive and kind. In Sheffield we did Sofar sounds a few weeks ago which was intense but really nice.

What are the biggest influences on your music?

Jack: It changes quite a lot. At the minute I’m quite into a lot of African guitar music, which is probably what I’m trying to achieve with my guitar sound. Stuff like Ebo Taylor, I’ve been listening to him a lot, and other weird shit like Shintaro Sakamoto. Felix really likes him too.

Felix: He’s like a Japanese Mac Demarco.

What local bands are you loving at the moment?

Jack: I really like Katie Pham and the Moonbathers.

Ric: The Life Aquatic Band. We’re always talking about them. They’re pretty out there at the moment, making cool stuff. They’ve covered some Paul Simon and they’re just really funky.

Felix: Otis Mensah.

Phil: Before Breakfast are really good.

What’s your favourite song you’ve made so far?

Jack: My favourite is ‘Closeness’. Felix hates it but I love it. But as a band, I think we all enjoy ‘Pluto’s Curse’.

Phil: I’d say ‘Magnetic’. It’s a ballad, we don’t get to play it at, you know, 'raucous' venues. Nothing below 90 beats per minute allowed, you know. It’s an emotional one. We have a video coming out for it soon.

What’s your favourite venue in Sheffield to play?

Jack: In terms of quantity, we’ve played The Washington more than anywhere else. But Yellow Arch is probably my favourite.

Ric: I liked playing The Old Workshop. And the new Theatre Delicatessen is a really nice space.

Phil: I like Café Totem, it’s always nice to have local support acts.

If you could open for any band, alive or dead, who would it be?

 Jack: I’d say the Velvet Underground. Just so I could go in the backroom and see what the hell’s going on. I don’t want to be involved, I just want to look at it. Find out what happened. Just one gig though, I wouldn’t go on tour with them. I don’t have the stamina for that.

Phil: I’d love to support Led Zeppelin back in the day.

Ric: Paul McCartney and Wings. I’d just like to play with Wings.

What will you guys be up to in the coming months?

 Jack: We’ve just recorded an album at MU Studios with Martin Smith. We want to release it as soon as possible but we want some momentum behind it first. And it’d be better to release it in the spring or summer. We’ve released music on our own before but we could do with a bit of backing first.

Phil: We’ve got a few gigs coming up as well. 10th March at Cafe Totem, The Cremorne on 23rd March, and a small gig at The Gardeners Rest on 24th March, and then Leeds in April.

Jack: And then headlining next year’s Glastonbury.

Felix: I always forget about that one.

Phil: We’ve got our Sofar sounds video coming as well, as soon as they put it up. 

Ric: And we’re gonna keep on posting videos and demos. Things that might create some emotion. They might freak you out. They might make you happy. Who knows?