We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeofry Wages and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeofry, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think what draws people to our music more often than not is the overtly queer themes, our openness in our songs, and our general energy. I always say that I like to write music that I wish I had growing up as a deeply closeted queer kid in south Georgia. Back in the pre-COVID days, I would constantly have other young LGBTQIA+-identifying people approach me after shows who would confess that they had gone through similar struggles and joys as those I write my songs about. It means the world to me that my band could find an audience that appreciates us the way they do, and I really hope that we can capture some of those same moments whenever we start playing live music again. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We as a band like to say we’re a queercore folk band, but more minutely I would say we fit somewhere into the emo/indie/gay/folk scenes. We make music that’s deeply personal. I always say that I write music that I wish I had when I was a young closeted kid growing up in rural Georgia. I hope our music makes people feel less alone in their individual struggles. Getting to where we are as a band was certainly not easy, and making art in general is rarely easy. For me, writing new songs means delving up old memories and old trauma, or processing current traumatic events or toxic situations, so the act of songwriting is almost always extremely emotionally taxing. I’ve learned throughout the way that it’s best to write specifically about what you know and what you’ve been through because there will always be someone out there who can identify with your story and empathise with you. All that to say, I just want people who listen to our music to know that they aren’t alone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Assuming this is in the Future World of readily available Covid vaccinations, I would honestly take my best friend to La Fonda (any of their locations are magnificent, but my favorite will always be the one on Ponce) for the best margaritas the world has ever seen. I would run them down to Dad’s Garage, which will one day go back to doing incredible improv most nights of the week. We’d have to check out Smith’s Olde Bar at some point for both good food and wonderful local bands. I know there are plenty of places to see in Atlanta and in the surrounding ‘burbs but I think I would have to close out the week with visits to Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shoutout ozello’s manager (and my beloved sister) Jessica Goodson! She works so hard, even in the midst of a global pandemic, between managing our band, a couple of other local acts, handling our merch, all while finishing up her undergrad degree at the University of Georgia.

Website: www.ozellomusic.com
Instagram: @ozellotheband
Facebook: @ozellotheband
Youtube: @ozello

Image Credits
photos by Jessica Goodson

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