Straight Razor: “I Make Music That Is Meant To Play Loud”
Every artist’s journey is unique, but some are more unique than others. Omar Doom AKA Straight Razor may be known for his appearance in Quentin Tarantino films (especially because he had the honor of killing Hitler), but his experience as an actor is much more recent than his history as a musician. Like any seasoned musician, his passion for music has involved him in multiple musical projects throughout the years, many of them in collaboration with other artists. Music has long been his main artistic focus, and he hadn’t even considered acting professionally until he met Quentin Tarantino, who told him he should pursue this art form as well. Seems he knew what he was talking about - who would have known that such a legendary and critically-acclaimed director would know potential when he sees it??
Clearly, the stars aligned to bring such a fated meeting of the minds to fruition, and we thank them because it brought a larger audience to an artist who deserves to be in the spotlight! Modern.Wav is thrilled to be showcasing Straight Razor at our April 15th show at Music Box San Diego in San Diego, along with Health, Author & Punisher, and Matte Blvck. And don’t worry: as an artist who prides himself on the intensity and cinematic nature of his music, you can be sure that Omar’s passion for film and theatrics shines through his set. He has a defined sense of style and aesthetic that feels altogether classic and clean, heavy and haunting.
An artist like this is best captured and understood through their own experience and thoughts, so Modern.Wav took the time to deep-dive into the mind of Straight Razor. Without further ado…
As a musician who is more widely known for your acting work, how do you feel your musical audience finds their way to you?
People are discovering my Straight Razor albums through their releases, social media and also through my acting work. I think fans of my movies are liking the movie soundtrack vibe of my music. Worlds collide when I do music for movies. You can hear a Straight Razor track in the opening credits of the horror movie SPREE starring Joe Keery of Stranger Things.
What newer artists do you look to as the future of the kind of music and/or musical communities you want to live in?
I just started a record label called Doom Vision where I’ll be releasing remixes from various artists that I’m really excited about. I’ll be releasing the identity of the remixers on my socials soon. I’ll be playing some of the new remixes for the first time at the show on April 15th at Music Box San Diego. There will be new Straight Razor music as well. Doom Vision is the future.
What non-music art and artists have inspired your creative path, and how do you feel it shows in your music?
I love all the visual tropes in Giallo films (Stylized Euro-Slashers/ Murder Mysteries). The sleek, masked killers with black gloves and often a straight razor as their murder weapon was the inspiration for the name STRAIGHT RAZOR.
What gets you lost in the world of music more than anything else?
I experience music best either in a club or driving. I make music that is meant to play loud. Aside from my studio, music sounds best to me on good club speakers or car speakers. Since we do a lot of driving here in Los Angeles, I get to listen to a lot of music. It’s a blessing and a curse.
If you discovered your own work 10 or 20 years ago and didn’t know you were the one that made it, how do you think you’d feel about it?
I’d like to think that I would’ve liked it. I think there’s a vibe in my music that has been there from the beginning. The mediums and methodology of making art and music changes with time, along with technological advancements and whatever else the future holds. The feeling you get when experiencing the art/music stays the same.
Are you on Spotify? Add Modern.Wav’s curated playlist “Dark Entries” to you favorites for more Straight Razor, Health, and Matte Blvck.
