Oliver Mally – The Nation Blues

By our Swiss Correspondent and contributing author Frank Götz © 2024

Europe has at all times been a hotbed for the blues. Ever because the 1960’s, when younger mavericks like Eric Clapton, Peter Inexperienced, Rory Gallagher, and Keith Richards performed a serious function within the world dissemination of the blues, Europe has change into a second residence to the idiom. From England and Eire, the information unfold to the continent. These days you’ll discover devoted artists and world-class performers in every single place, to not point out beloved expats like Eric Bibb and Brian Kramer, who’s tireless efforts in conserving the style alive outdoors of the U.S. can’t be overstated. So far as blues tradition goes, Europe appears to have all of it – appreciative crowds, nice venues & festivals, and a few of the greatest blues artists you’ve probably by no means heard of.

Oliver Mally is certainly one of them. Born in Austria in 1966, he’s barely recognized overseas, but after numerous albums and blues awards and many years on the street, the singer-songwriter from Wagna, Styria is so achieved that he deserves a wider recognition. He began out taking part in electrical blues, however because the late nineties, his acoustic gigs have change into extra prolific, typically performing alone or with congenial companions, and at present full band reveals are the exception. Clearly, he’s an acoustic bluesman, though Mally would by no means name himself that. “I’m a blues fan, not a bluesman!”, he insists, keenly conscious of the style’s African American heritage. He averages about 130 reveals a 12 months, and has labored with the likes of Louisiana Pink, Champion Jack Dupree, Steve James, Doug MacLeod, Ian Siegal, and Rob Rio, to call a number of of the better-known acts.

He’s often billed as “Sir” Oliver Mally, and the origin of his moniker is a part of his stage persona. In keeping with his personal narrative, he gave the title to himself. That was in 1991, after the organizer of a blues competition in Budapest requested for his stage identify. Nicely, he didn’t have one simply then. Mally would’ve appreciated to name himself “King”, however with a reputation like that, he figured, there would’ve been no room for development, particularly as a blues artist. So, he settled for “Sir” and the label caught – “like a foul tattoo”, he jokes. But, being a predominantly acoustic participant is barely one of many causes he’s featured right here. Mally can also be a neighborhood live performance and competition organizer, so when he’s not on stage or in a recording studio, he’s busy placing collectively occasions just like the Leibnitzer Bluestage, the Grazer Bluestage, or the Blue Chook’s Friday-series, alongside along with his personal gigs and excursions.

Clearly, the person has earned his moniker, so in the event you’re in search of a real instance of European blues royalty, that is your man. He’s gracious and witty and culturally well-informed. And, as an interview accomplice, he has an apparent knack for print-ready statements.

thecountryblues had the pleasure of speaking with “Sir” Oliver through Zoom on December 12^th, 2023. The next interview was initially held in German, so the interpretation provided right here is on your studying comfort.

Inform us how it began, about your beginnings as a blues musician.

Like a lot of my era, I began out with an electrical guitar. I cherished musicians like Johnny Winter and indulged in limitless guitar orgies. Someday, nevertheless, I found an LP by Townes Van Zandt and commenced to concentrate to the lyrics of Stones songs. That’s after I found a fourth chord. I noticed that I couldn’t go on ceaselessly with a band, that sooner or later I needed to discover ways to play as a solo artist. There are locations you possibly can solely conquer alone. Then I began taking part in in a small fish retailer for 3 hours each Sunday. For months, simply me and the viewers, taking part in just for suggestions & change. That was in Austria, after I was already comparatively well-known. I wished to seek out out what it was prefer to play solo. You’ll be able to’t cover or go the ball to another person; you’re alone up there, irrespective of how many individuals are listening to you. It’s a unique world, all of its personal. Even at present, I go searching rigorously earlier than each efficiency and attempt to discover out: What does this room want? How can I attain this viewers emotionally and intellectually with my introductions and songs in such an intimate setting? For me, that is the be-all and end-all of a profitable live performance.

Ben Harper as soon as mentioned, “the blues chooses you as a lot as you select it.” When and the place precisely did the blues discover you?

Once I was a young person, at a colleague’s home. He lent me the Laborious Once more album by Muddy Waters, the document with the track “Mannish Boy” [Blue Sky Records, 1977]. That was an earthquake from which I by no means recovered. That keenness, that energy – from then on, I knew what I wished to do. Even at present, that track nonetheless blows me away. That’s the insanity in this type of music: the everlasting second probability for a primary time. That document was my initiation, and lots of have adopted since. John Lee Hooker, in fact, and Lightnin’ Hopkins, their music was a revelation, too. When it comes to storytelling, simplicity, and suspense, these three musicians are nonetheless my heroes.

What’s the very best recommendation you’ve ever acquired from a blues musician? What recommendation would you give to an inexperienced younger artist at present?

What Doug MacLeod as soon as instructed me: “By no means play a observe you don’t consider in!” It’s not about me. It’s not about you, or the press, or some present you placed on to impress individuals. If you wish to make good music, actually good music, then it’s in regards to the track and what it must unfold its magic. The stage isn’t any place for ego journeys. It’s worthwhile to make your self small in order that your track materials can change into massive. “Serve the track!”, as they are saying in English, all the pieces else is secondary.

However there are different influences in your music.

True. I’m only a massive music fan, I assume. I don’t prefer it when music is regimented and packaged in several little packing containers. That is not sensible to me. I don’t wish to play or take heed to solely pre-war blues, or bounce blues, or boogie, as a result of I like so many various issues. I grew up in a musical family the place there was at all times one thing on: Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner, Fat Domino, Randy Newman – that was the stuff that was taking part in in my dad’s automotive. And my mom cherished Elvis and Little Richard. Additionally, we regularly went to the flicks, visited museums and artwork exhibitions, and my dad and mom at all times offered me with literature and good books. Tradition was a giant factor in our home, a present for which I’m nonetheless grateful at present. When it comes to music, different vital figures got here alongside, figures like Bob Dylan, Johnny Money, Steve Earle and the sadly little-known Steve White. I like nation music, I like people, I like all the pieces that known as Americana at present. And if I may play jazz or classical music, I’d try this, too – so long as it’s finished with the mandatory respect.

What formed you as a guitarist? The place did you get your instrumental chops?

I received my first guitar after I was 15. Right here, too, it was that Muddy Waters album I attempted to play and emulate. What a loopy sound, that electrical guitar – simply mesmerizing. Acoustically, Johnny Winter impressed me most. The sounds he received out of his Nationwide Metal on these early information had been simply mind-blowing. Ry Cooder got here later. In 5 minutes, he says all the pieces you possibly can probably say with a bottleneck, with out ever overplaying. He merely set the usual. In rock music, it was positively a Stones document, in all probability a kind of low cost compilations you would purchase in any village retailer again then. For me, Keith [Richards] was the beacon for arduous, catchy riffs and crashing energy chords, I didn’t know something tougher again then.

Nevertheless, what fully blew me away was No Good friend Round, a [John Lee] Hooker LP from 1969 – growth! He simply stomps and performs and sings as if there have been three guys within the room. He nonetheless makes my hair stand on finish.

Once more, stylistically very various things, not simply blues music.

Completely. Simply taking part in blues could be an excessive amount of for me – and never sufficient on the similar time.

You may have a number of band initiatives and carry out with pals, principally virtuoso accompanying musicians. What are the highlights of your nearly 40-year profession?

At first, I used to be a road musician and studied at college on the aspect. Then, at round 25, I turned knowledgeable musician. There have been many highlights to this point, greater than I can discuss right here, however at the very least the duo and trio performances needs to be talked about. As a result of irrespective of whether or not I’m up there with Hubert Hofherr [harmonica], Martin Moro [guitar], Martin Gasselsberger [piano] or Peter Schneider [guitar], the reveals with them are at all times intense. Your readers in all probability gained’t know any of those guys, however they’re good – actually, actually good. I’ve additionally carried out with extra internationally recognized individuals similar to Doug MacLeod, Ripoff Raskolnikov, Roberto Luti, or Ian Siegal, with whom I lately did a small membership tour. An awesome man, each on stage and off. He has performed on a number of of my information, and subsequent 12 months we wish to do an entire album collectively. Different highlights embrace gigs with acknowledged blues greats similar to Louisiana Pink, Steve James, and Sugar Blue. Gigs like these stick with you for a lifetime as a result of, man, they’re so rewarding and instructive.

I learn that your subsequent album will probably be with Peter Schneider.

Yeah, it’s referred to as Nearly There and will probably be launched on April 20, 2024. Peter is a good musician; we’ve been taking part in collectively for years. He labored with Ike Turner and Marius Müller-Westernhagen for a very long time, and he’s one of the vital open-minded individuals I do know. An actual thoroughbred musician – if you play with him, he’s at all times proper there. He performs with plenty of selection and doesn’t prefer to repeat himself, which retains the interaction natural. Virtuoso is a complete understatement! With him, the inventive course of and alternate between guitar and vocals is at all times stimulating. We complement one another completely, each in our strengths and variations.

OK, final query. In the event you may have a jam session with three musicians who’ve by no means been on stage with you earlier than, who would you invite? Simply three!

Ry Cooder. By no means seen him reside however I wouldn’t thoughts travelling a protracted, lengthy method to see him. Or Steve Earle. I’d love to fulfill him sometime or open a present for him. There are such a lot of good musicians I may point out, however a few of my favorites are already lifeless. Bonnie Raitt, maybe, as a result of she will sing and play slide guitar so effectively. I at all times actually appreciated her.

Two days later, I used to be fortunate sufficient to see “Sir” Oliver reside in a sold-out nation pub. He performed with Martin Gasselsberger, his first-class piano sidekick, and with their jazzy combine of folks, nation and purely acoustic blues tunes, they drove one another to new heights time and again. Simply gorgeous. Now this author, too, can testify that the person with the washed-out denims and the brilliant purple bandana is a poet, a insurgent, and an eloquent entertainer as well. Mally has been certainly one of Europe’s high blues artists for some time now – and that, in itself, is kind of an achievement.

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