Okta Logue | |
|---|---|
 Okta Logue | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Griesheim,Germany |
| Genres | Psychedelic rock,indie-rock |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Columbia,Sony, The End Records (US only), former labels: Nasoni Records |
| Members | Benno Herz (voc,bass) Philip Meloi (lead guitar) Max Schneider (organ, synths) Robert Herz (dr) |
| Past members | Nicolai Hildebrandt |
| Website | www |
Okta Logue are a four-piece rock band based inGriesheim,HessenGermany. The members consist of Benno Herz (bassist/vocalist), his brother Robert Herz (drums), Philip Meloi (lead guitarist), and Max Schneider (organ, synthesizers). Their style is often referred to as being influenced by '60spsychedelic rock bands mixed with modernindie rock elements.[1]
Okta Logue first formed in the winter of 2007, as Zaphire Oktalogue. Benno Herz and Philip Meloi first began jamming with brother Robert Herz in their rehearsal room inGriesheim and recorded their first demo on Berlin-based independent record label Nasoni Records. While the band was officially a trio at this time, Nicolai Hildebrandt played some synthesizer parts on this first self-titled LP. Shortly thereafter, Nicolai Hildebrandt officially joined the band. Zaphire Oktalogue thus was renamed to "Okta Logue" now being a quartet. In winter, 2009, the band began writing their first official albumBallads of a Burden, which was again released on Nasoni Records. When in 2011, the band got signed to their current labelColumbia /Sony Music,Ballads of a Burden was re-released on a larger scale. Their second and current albumTales of Transit City was released onColumbia /Sony Music on May 25, 2013 which was very well received among critics and brought further international attention to the band[2][3] which led to an international video premiere of “Transit“ on Noisey.
Since their foundation, Okta Logue has played numerous concerts all over Europe and were invited to play support for well-known acts such asPortugal. The Man andNeil Young & Crazy Horse on their European dates in 2013.[4][5] On October 1, their current albumTales of Transit City was released on New York based label The End Records[6] for the US market.[6] Alongside of the release in the US, the band scheduled their first US tour in October including appearances atCMJ in New York and the Culture Collide Festival in Los Angeles.[7][8]
On February 11, 2016 it was announced via their Facebook Page that Nicolai Hildebrandt left the band to follow a new path. In the same post, they welcome Max Schneider as a new member of the band.[9]
With the new formation Benno Herz, Philip Meloi, Robert Herz and Max Schneider toured a lot before they took some time off in 2018 to work on their fourth studio album. It is going to be released on May 31 via the Hamburg-based label Clouds Hill and is called "Runway Markings".[10] Along the release the band will go on a small release tour through Germany and Austria.
Apart from their musical output, Okta Logue has been especially recognised for their visual performances as well. The music video for the first single release from the albumBallads Of A Burden has received several awards, among them the prestigious first prize at the Visionale Filmfestival.[11] For their thriller movie-like video "Transit" which was premiered internationally on Noisey, they collaborated with German film director Christoph Holsten.[12] Other music videos, including "Judith" and "Let Go" (which was premiered on Spin.com)[2] were again made by the band itself with keyboardist Nicolai Hildebrandt credited as screenwriter and director.
| Title | Album details | Track listing |
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| Ballads Of A Burden |
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| Transit EP |
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| Tales Of Transit City |
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| Diamonds And Despair |
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| Runway Markings |
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| International | |
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| Artists | |
