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OPHIE launches debut mixtape, “Late Bloomer”

By Kyle Rosner                                                                   
Although he’s “late” to the scene, OPHIE feels like an artist well worth the wait.

(Winchester, Virginia) Solo artist OPHIE launched his self-produced Late Bloomer Tape on June 19th, 2019. Blending an array of genres and sounds into a unique vibe, Late Bloomer establishes OPHIE as a stand out artist in today’s ever-melding music scene. Positive reception was immediate and quickly landed OPHIE on big listener playlists, as well as an opening spot for a major act. OPHIE is eager to build on this first step and expand his versatile repertoire of playing styles, instruments, and ideas.

Late Bloomer is an accumulation of thoughts, melodies, and sounds OPHIE has been tucking away and writing on the back of the envelope for the better part of a decade. It’s concept plays on the artist’s nostalgia to start his music career at an earlier time. Many of the songs are inflected by his own personal experiences, such as the loss of love or the absence of a parent. Some dive into the specifics of feeling unsure, loss of time, self-acceptance, and even two-timing a relationship. After acquiring the needed space, time, and equipment, recording the mixtape took place in his basement over the span of a year. Rolling out the safe, most material was previously formulated with just his guitar and iPhone. Some drum beats stem from late night jam sessions with friends. Every sound heard on Late Bloomer, with the exception of guest artist Jett Johnson, was devised and recorded by OPHIE himself. In the vain of other comprehensive artists like Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), this lush and intensely personal sound resonates deeply with the listener. When performing live, OPHIE maintains this vision by looping recordings real-time on stage and creating a one-of-a-kind shared experience with the audience. 

In the short few months since Late Bloomer’s release, OPHIE has received thousands of streams and enjoyed heaps of local recognition. He recently played an opening spot for renown southern rap quartet, Nappy Roots, at Winchester’s biggest stage, the Bright Box Theater. Local music platform, The Iron Skillet, hosted OPHIE on an exclusive podcast for the mixtape at TClem Studios. OPHIE’s songs How I Feel, Settle Down, and 50/50 have been featured on popular Spotify playlists like Discover Weekly, Trippy Chill, and Listentothis. He has also been listed on the Chart-Topping D.C. Artist playlist via ReverbNation. A debut album is set to drop independently by next year, which will include merch, physical album sales, and a tour. 

Michael Op’t Hof (OPHIE) is born, raised, and based in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Virginia. Coming from a long line of musicians, OPHIE was born with music in his ears, and from the first time he heard his family members jam during a family reunion, he set off to learn the piano. He immediately started learning by ear and was writing songs by the age of 7. After switching to guitar, OPHIE played in punk rock bands all throughout his teenage years, serving both as the creative lead and producer. A hiatus kept him from officially recording music while he attended college at Radford University, but the music never stopped. OPHIE learned music production and became a DJ at his college radio station WVRU. It was during these late nights in the studio and jamming with friends that his distinct sound and style was created. After graduation, OPHIE established himself as a popular local DJ and a lead guitarist in his dad’s band, which laid the foundation for a fan base and a stage presence. 

Along with promoting and playing Late Bloomer, OPHIE spends most of his time with his family and newborn daughter, Omelia. To make ends meet, OPHIE plays gigs as a local DJ and works for several radio stations. His desire to create music and become an artists has never escaped his mind, even for a day. After years of fine tuning and conquering insecurities, OPHIE feels ready to blossom. A lifetime in the making, the world finally has Late Bloomer at their fingertips.
Though he was featured in recently released Lifoti's September 2019 issue 09, you can check it from below link's for your country:

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