OMIO ushers a neutrality of masculine to New Mexico's modern DIY counterculture
Reviving artistic show curations with intimate lyricism and a beautifully endearing neutral archetype, their cosmos blends a 1983 New York post punk vibe into their Neo-Wave sound
Omar Otero created a thing of unfathomable anger then poured high octane racing fuel over it and tossed the cigarette he had just lit over his right shoulder as he walked away from the toxic image of his former self; the view of a race car hitting the wall in an uncaged death trap accelerated by the exponential and mobilizing power of substance, circa pre-covid in the thin, high desert. The unknown and forgotten mortality of Albuquerque’s music scene pre-pandemic.
Gaswerks, Murder Shack, Gold House, Toy Barn, and Fly Honey Warehouse reigned supreme in the mostly underground (to most normies) home and industrial music scene that housed the New Mexico counter culture who aimed (and succeeded) to break free of the corruption, and restricted age limits in booze-forward businesses of the era. As such, New Mexico’s DIY music culture became a safe space for creativity and humans who just wanted to be left alone to enjoy the music and the experience. They very much remember how they were treated pre-pandemic and built their own movement of badassery in perhaps one of the most tolerant regions in the country.
And then the lockdown.
Omar resurfaced post-lockdown with OMIO, and after a few iterations and some tough growing pains, has now settled into a formidable music force of acceptance, inclusion, and empowerment through the same intense Omar, yet with refinement of reflection and radiant healing. OMIO comes with the mentorship of 2 veteran guitarists, a world-class drummer (21), and a pronounced bass player and signature style that simply is a non-threatening, supremely accepting group of guys. Together, they make up the DIY residual influence that is a rather welcoming and neutralizing approach and appearance to the booming New Mexico music scene.
The band has likely unknowingly bridged not only a toleration gap between Millenials and Gen Z, but have become an observable example of the social product of Boomer and Gen X generational trauma, brutality and bullying, expressed in their art, produced and presented to the music world and the nation as a fine example of divine masculine acceptance of human existence.
OMIO struggled and floundered then found a stride in the inconsistent live music scene, and attracted some heavy hitters to arrive at their current evolution without any expectation to be anything other than fiercely present in their journey. The most elusive victory for anyone born into rejection or abandonment and the hallmark of masculine actualization.
The books I could write about Bobby. Never wanting the sole spotlight, Bobby is loyal beyond comprehension; fit for a fight and the fight better be fit; militant; quietly deadly; freakishly reliable. There’s a calm chaos about him that makes those skittish around most others, at ease in his humble cosmos. I find a mysterious coolness about him and if the zombies ever cut loose on Central, I’m picking Bobby to be on my squad.
This milestone show was curated and produced by Omar and shares production credits with long time music friend, Devin Hughes, another pre-covid DIY legend, relocated to Connecticut, then back to New Mexico in 2023 to continue his Marianas Trench of music exploration. Formerly with Meryl Streep Junior, now with Time Foolery, Devin authors and curates SoundSoup, a journey of music passion, technique, evolution, and discovery. Devin dives into both the local and international music scene with the prowess of a butcher yet with the journalistic comprehension to digest even the gristliest of activity in the mind of a musical artist.
Visual projections by quannumthrows