Ohvaur’s "Intertwined": Crafting Melodies from Life’s Chaos

photo credit: Boaz Walker

Get ready to dive into the sonic tapestry of Ohvaur’s latest masterpiece, Intertwined, set to drop on October 18! This Chicago-based indie rock band is back with a bang, and their new album is now up for pre-order on Bandcamp. But wait, there’s more! The band has just unveiled the album’s title track along with a mesmerizing lyric video, which made its grand debut at Magnet Magazine.

Timothy Den, the creative force behind Ohvaur, shared some juicy details with Magnet about the making of Intertwined:

“Intertwined was the last and most difficult song to be written for the album. We had the entire album finished but needed an opener that would also hopefully serve as the album title – something we hadn’t been able to come up with until then. I wrote and rewrote the music from scratch at least a dozen times, experimenting with different chord patterns, tempos, and instrumentation. There are demos of it as an electronic slow jam, early ‘90s alterna-rock, and fuzzy doom metal. Once I finally had the direction nailed down, producer Matt Wallace poked holes through much of it, sending me back into rewrites for another few months. Combined with Mike’s tireless search for rhythmic layering, which included recording three separate drum setups, the song took nearly a year to complete!

Lyrically, Intertwined represents my version of ‘hopeful thinking’: the idea that we might somehow find our way back to the ones we love, both in this life and beyond. If we are made from the universe and return to it upon our passing, re-forming from those same particles, perhaps we will instinctively drift toward those who have been most important to us. It’s been a comforting idea as I’ve dealt with grief.”

Timothy Den’s life reads like an epic novel. From a childhood that zigzagged through Taiwan, South America, and Miami, to the trials of spending 15 years as an undocumented immigrant in the U.S., his experiences have deeply influenced his music. Ohvaur’s previous album, A Memories Chase (2013), delved into themes of immigration and personal transformation. These experiences taught Den to navigate the heartaches and farewells that come with instability, while also appreciating the lessons of survival and perseverance.

By the time A Memories Chase hit the shelves, Den had become a legal American, was happily married, a new father, and almost ready to leave his musical past behind. He had worn many hats: Assistant Editor of Lollipop magazine, founder of Transform Online, frontman of the Boston-based Kimone, and even a composer for short films like “Bitch,” which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Leaving behind the one constant thread in his mosaic life was daunting, but Den believed in the power of rebirth.

Fast forward a decade, and this latest rebirth has brought Tim and his family a newfound sense of stability. Slowly but surely, his passion for music reignited, leading to the creation of Intertwined. The album explores themes of endings and new beginnings, confronting loss, mortality, and the fleeting beauty of life’s moments.

Helping Ohvaur bring their vision to life were two pivotal figures: producer Matt Wallace (known for his work with Faith No More, The Replacements, and Maroon 5) and Faith No More bassist/songwriter Bill Gould. Tim and Bill have been friends since the early 2000s – a relationship Tim describes as “extremely surreal,” given that Faith No More is his favorite band. Bill even wanted to release A Memories Chase on his label, Koolarrow. When the band hit creative roadblocks this time around, Bill brought in Matt to help steer the ship. With Matt’s generous and patient guidance – and Bill’s occasional input – the band feels they’ve crafted their definitive work, both sonically and artistically.

Intertwined is the culmination of years of personal and artistic evolution for Ohvaur. With its release, the band embarks on a new beginning, led by an album that captures their journey and mission. So, mark your calendars and get ready to be intertwined with Ohvaur’s latest sonic adventure!