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Hello, and ...

The narrative of Bridget and Matthew's relationship is spelled out (that’s a play on words…and foreshadowing) in their homemade video below.

Oftiani is indie rock duo, spouses, and besties Bridget Viviani and Matthew Thornicroft, who hail from the Rock Capital, i.e. The Land, i.e. Greater Cleveland, Ohio.

Oftiani's origin story is also a love story, as the pair are high school sweethearts who met making music in marching band.

This photo is not an artistic reproduction... It's a still from a VHS recording of the first time one of Matthew and Bridget's performances together was broadcasted... WVIZ PBS filmed and aired the high school halftime show — which featured a percussion-ensemble solo written by Bridget (hence the closeup on her as the majorettes and flag corp get into position while she taps a cadence).

Genre-wise, the couple's “audiology” (sound) is alternative rock, while their “ideology” (style) is art rock.

The pair utilize their instruments like paint brushes and palette knives to depict the picture alongside the lyrics — with a tool box that totes percussion and wind (like glockenspiel and saxophone) as opposed to the six-strings and synths more common to rock music.

Though they are thus a bit anomalous in terms of their instrumentation, the band’s music is analogous to the Cranberries, Bat for Lashes, Beirut, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Switchfoot, Kate Bush, and The National.

Besides being a band, Oftiani is an autonomous record label and music publisher. The partners write, record, and release their own songs — making the results genuinely DIY music.

The duo's debut encompasses album Off & On (with 11 tracks) and bonus single "US" — the release of which was covered by Elicit Magazine as seen in the following excerpt:

“The entire band” is married to each other; they are high school sweethearts; and they met making music together in marching band. Hence, Oftiani chose Valentine’s Day 2024 as the date for their inaugural releases: album Off & On (with 11 tracks) and single “US”.

It could be said the band was founded in 1991, when the couple first became an item. Or in 2002, when they married. Or maybe 2005, when they posted an ad online looking for like-minded musicians to form a band. Or perhaps 2021, when they bought their recording equipment. Or 2023, when they officially organized as a Limited Liability Company. But the reality is that all these dates are accurate — because the road to this premiere was windy and long, with any number of speed bumps and U-turns along the way. The two are now in their late forties — battle-scarred, but strengthened and street-smart. They’ve hence decided to throw caution to the wind and make do with what they have — rather than worry about a utopian archetype.

Tracks from Off & On are:
(click on title for Audio, Lyrics, Liner Notes, Credits, and Personnel)

Marriage V (Still Here)

Empathy

Irish Blessings

Bedabbled

You Are Beautiful

Slow Burn

On the Edge

Castoffs

Marriage (Love Letters)

Bizarro

Undying Love

NOTE: due to its explicit content, "US" is a freestanding single instead of an Off & On track — but it's still part and parcel of Oftiani's debut release:

US

Being just a pair who play a myriad of instruments on their original songs (most of which aren't suited to singer-songwriter-type staging), Oftiani doesn't generally gig or tour — as uneventful karaoke to backing tracks or costly, outsider musicians become needed.

But when the couple does perform, they strive to keep such intimate and authentic — mirroring their passion for music (and the arts in general) and their passion for each other — as seen in the video below.

Digital Downloads of Oftiani's songs are available via
• Bandcamp,
• Reverb Nation,
• Amazon Music,
and • the iTunes Store.

Audio Streams are available at the major DSPs; Videos are viewable at
• YouTube
and • Vimeo.

The duo's print-on-demand merchandise is obtainable via both
• Spreadshop by Spreadshirt
and • Spring by Amaze.

illustrations and graphics by Bridget Viviani

photos by Matthew Thornicroft & Bridget Viviani

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Oftiani's Trademarks

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