Megan Oquias is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and co-founder of Local Nobodies. An initiative that supports emerging artists, providing performance opportunities, and collaborating with venues to curate an intimate experience for both artists and audience. I met Oquias at a Local Nobodies event, which took place at the Collective Arts last February, where Oquias hosted and performed. I love how community-driven these events are, as it is a wonderful opportunity to experience live music while meeting other passionate creatives.
Today, September 19th, Oquias released her debut EP “Other Peoples Homes,” which is a concept EP exploring themes of heartache, emotional entanglement, and resilience. It was co-produced by Jason Jang, who also runs local Nobodies with Oquias and Skye Wallace, who continues to make waves in the Toronto music scene.
Oquias’s sound is unique, bold, and fresh, filled with vibrant electric guitars, punchy drums, and expressive vocals. The sonic direction is inspired by the song “Shut Up Kiss Me” by Angel Olsen, which, to me, has similar characteristics to Oquias’s music, such as tone and vocal performance.
The EP opens with one of my favourite tracks, “Overthinking.” In an interview with Oquias, she reflects on the premise of this song. It is her observation that second-guessing can get in the way of a relationship. “Overthinking” makes it complicated to move forward while you are still learning about each other. This song deeply resonates with me as I am a perfectionist who tends to be afraid of making mistakes or saying the wrong thing, especially when meeting someone for the first time. However, this song is a reminder to trust my instincts and not worry about walking down the wrong path.
Another deep cut is “Killing You,” about a difficult decision Oquias made to step away from a relationship. Time apart allowed them to evolve and redefine who they are as individuals. Despite the hardship, this song conveys a sense of healing, which is demonstrated in this line:
“I need to let things go. I hope you know it’s for the best, the bottom’s not as far as you seem to think it is.”
The final two tracks are “Clinging” and “Quick To Fall.” In my opinion, Clinging discusses the tangled emotional rollercoaster that occurs when finding closure in a relationship. It is the next step in the healing process, as Oquias is analyzing these complex feelings, figuring out how to move forward.
Finally, the track “Quick To Fall” leaves me with a sense of hope that, in time, I will find the one. There is a sense of excitement and anticipation to be with that person.
“Other Peoples Homes” is 10/10, as I love the honest and vulnerable lyrics and the cohesive theme. Also, hearing these songs live is a captivating experience as Oquias performs them either acoustically with Oquias on guitar and vocals or with a full band, which adds rich textures and dynamics in the performance.
Photo credits: Taija Anderson