German singer/songwriter CONNY OCHS has been making music for over a decade now in various incarnations – with bands, unique projects and as a solo artist. While local punters endorse and worship his musical endeavors, and especially his first solo album 'Raw Love Songs' which was released on Exile On Mainstream records in March 2011, it was the collaboration with Scott 'Wino' Weinrich on the 2012 album Heavy Kingdom that really put him on the international map.
CONNY OCHS will release the follow-up to 'Raw Love Songs' with his brand new LP 'Black Happy'. An album of earnest and melancholic songs, OCHS bears his soul with raw emotion through his captivating vocal and melodic guitar style. What is channeled into his music, tone and lyrics are indisputable personal truths, the kind that are deeply rooted in the blackened parts of the human soul. Sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes nasty, sometimes nice, sometimes begging, sometimes proud, sometimes cheerful, sometimes bitter, sometimes lost, sometimes found, CONNY OCHS reaches a stark authenticity that draws you in, makes you part of the music and deserves to be devoted.
Today people can hear the album opening track 'Exile', one of the most engaging songs on 'Black Happy', via The Earsplit Compound Youtube page.
The music on 'Black Happy' ultimately draws upon a tradition and history of great acoustic craftsmanship created by some of America's finest songwriters (though not restricted to the American continent). Through that inspiration especially, OCHS explores the realms of how your inner self can be sonically portrayed, once you are on your own and armed with only a guitar and your voice. Yes, this musical path is a well trodden one, but it isn't worn out yet and CONNY OCHS walks the road in his own wholehearted way. Mixed and mastered by Thommy Krawallo in Berlin in pure analog, 'Black Happy' is set for official release via Exile On Mainstream in Germany on March 1st, throughout the rest of Europe on March 4th, and in North America on April 2nd, on LP, via digital download, and limited wooden box CD. Preorders are available here.
CONNY OCHS is currently embarked on a European tour in advance of the album’s release, with many more live excursions to be confirmed in the coming weeks. View the current list of dates here.