When Brad Oberhofer moved to New York to attend NYU in 2008, it might have been difficult to imagine what the big city would have in store for him. Two years later, the frontman for the upbeat and spastic group Oberhofer, which specializes in punk guitars and howling vocals, has a strong local following, new records on the way and a big show Saturday night with The Soft Pack at Bowery Ballroom. We caught up with the 20-year-old Oberhofer to talk about his defunct rap career, his songwriting process and why his friends can’t ever come to see him play.
You’re 20 and already making a splash—on Saturday you’re playing with The Soft Pack at Bowery Ballroom. How did you start making music?
It originated with me freestyle rapping, starting in 5th grade. I got into beat making and initially wanted to be a successful rapper. Eventually, when I was 16 or so, I started playing guitar. I went to an artists’ high school and took some songwriting classes and got into playing a different sort of music. I got into writing orchestral music. That was way back in Tacoma.
Your songs have a wide range (“Dead Girls Dance” is more experimental than the catchy “Away FRM U”). What is your songwriting process?
It really varies. At the moment, I try to wake up every morning and write a melody. I either sit at the piano and fiddle until I come up with something or try on my guitar. Sometimes I’ll be walking or riding my bike and I’ll start singing something, or whistle something, and make up a melody like that. Most often I work around melodies, but sometimes I work melodies into core productions as well.
The band is named after you, but during live shows you play with bandmates. Is Oberhofer a democracy?
Every now and then I’ll take part of a song and demo it to them and ask for opinions. We’ve gotten the hang of each other and gotten to know each other’s taste in music. More and more I’ve gotten advice or criticism, or I’ve asked them to write parts, but as far as the recordings go, no one has contributed yet. In the live shows they all pretty much write their own parts that are just loosely based on the recording that I make on my own.
Has your age ever gotten in the way of being in a band?
It has. My friends usually can’t come to shows. I’m kind of glad that I can’t drink before shows. Initially, maybe 13 months ago, I might have indulged and made a fool of myself. So I’m glad there are strict legal barriers that I would have to go around in order to drink.
What’s next for Oberhofer?
We’ve made a 7-inch [that] will be out in the next couple of days or maybe a week. That’s an A-side and B-side and a digital download. We’re going to release another one of those in October with “Away FRM U” and “Dead Girls Dance” on it. Come November or December we’re going to start recording a new record. I have tons and tons of new songs that I’m extremely excited about, and I think the new record is going to be completely amazing.
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Oberhofer
Sept. 11, Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St.
(betw. Bowery & Chrystie St.), 212-533-2111; 8:30, $15.
