✦ A cry rising from the heart of Newcastle: OCHISIA.
Its name is as unique to say as it is to write — oh-kee-zee-uh — but the real difference lies in the raw emotion spreading from the stage, the heartfelt shaking melodies, and being the inner voice of lost generations.
The band’s second EP, In Your Absence, set to release on August 15, 2025, drags listeners into deep waters like guilt, regret, and mental health. But this isn’t about getting lost in darkness; on the contrary, the EP embraces that darkness with melodic honesty and carries the courage to transform it. Just like its title “absence,” this EP sometimes comes with a silent, sometimes bursting state of mind for the listener. OCHISIA chooses to sculpt their past not by erasing its traces, but by telling its story through music.
The Journey That Began with “Drenched”
The creative spark of the EP, “Drenched,” was born out of Rhys’s struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. According to the band, from the moment they first played the track, everyone knew it had to be on the EP. This song not only represents an individual breaking point but also charts a collective direction in the band’s musical journey. This emotional depth intensifies with the PTSD theme in “Archangel” and meets the mental ups and downs of a mind using alcohol as an escape in “Remains of Yesterday.” The band places great importance not only on the lyrics but also on dynamic shifts in these songs. Sudden changes in tone sometimes make you feel the unexpected bursts of mental struggles.
“We wanted the music to tell a story as much as the lyrics. The sudden changes in dynamics reflect how mental breakdowns come so unexpectedly.” — Rhys Johnson
Culpability: OCHISIA’s Silent Confession
One of the most striking moments of the EP is “Culpability.” This is the band’s first track to use acoustic elements, serving as a nod to Sum 41’s heartfelt ballads.
In Tom’s words:
“It’s about the regret that follows hurting someone you love. It had to be softer because the feelings couldn’t be conveyed any other way.”
This track holds a special place not just on the EP but in the band’s entire discography.
Broken Knees on Stage, Words Sung Out Loud
OCHISIA has grown not just in the studio but also on stage. During the first EP launches, the audience singing along created a bond that went beyond music. The moment James dislocated his knee on stage remains a memorable anecdote showing how intense their stage energy is.
“When someone sings the songs with you, you feel like everything makes sense in that moment.” — James Hogg
The Cluny Concert: A Turning Point
The band’s biggest concert to date will take place on August 15 at The Cluny. This show is not just a stage — it’s a milestone for a journey years in the making.
“Our first big concert organized on our own. We don’t know what to expect, but we’re already so thankful to everyone who comes. The support that brought us here is indescribable.” — Finley Burns
OCHISIA’s Roots and Future
Band members — Rhys, Tom, James, Ben, and Finley — come from different backgrounds and musical tastes, but they unite on one frequency: the broken yet bold voice of 2000s emo. Inspired by names like The Used, Funeral For A Friend, Taking Back Sunday; yet instead of blindly following, they shape their own story.
With professional production, careful branding strategies on social media, and energetic live shows, OCHISIA is one of the UK’s most promising names in the post-hardcore scene.
INDIEBIRD STUDIO x OCHISIA – INTERVIEW
- 🎤 IndieBird Studio (Eren): “In Your Absence” deals with personal themes like guilt, regret, and mental health. What was your inspiration for this journey?
- 🎙 Rhys: We started with “Drenched.” When we first played this song, which talks about my experiences with anxiety and panic attacks, we all knew it had to be part of the EP. That sparked the idea for an EP about past traumas and regrets.
- 🎤 IndieBird Studio (Eren): You blend post-hardcore and pop-punk with acoustic touches. How did this sound identity form?
- 🎙 Ben: We all have different musical tastes, and those differences directly influence our songwriting. Everything we enjoy listening to seeps into the EP.
- 🎤 IndieBird Studio (Eren): “Culpability” is an emotional breaking point. How did the acoustic arrangement support this feeling?
- 🎙 Tom: There was no other way to express the guilt after hurting someone you love. Making this track softer allowed us to convey the feelings more directly.
- 🎤 IndieBird Studio (Eren): What are some of your most memorable stage moments?
- 🎙 James: The audience singing along at our first EP launch was incredible. And then there was the moment I dislocated my knee at the Bunker show — unforgettable!
- 🎤 IndieBird Studio (Eren): Final words about your Cluny concert?
- 🎙 Finn: It’s our first big concert organized independently. We’ll be grateful to everyone who shows up that day. We’re growing with your support — it means everything to us.
FINAL WORD
OCHISIA’s In Your Absence EP is more than just a musical work; it’s an inner exploration — a transformation of suppressed emotions into an instrument, into a cry. This EP touches the heart before it reaches the ears. Catch them live at The Cluny on August 15 — this five-piece’s stage presence will be unforgettable.
