Tall Tales & Tiny Fables

Oh, Jeremiah is the musical cocktail of the musings and tall tales of singer/songwriter Jeremiah Stricklin. Each of his songs are filled with the distinct characteristics of the Deep Southern culture that he’s called home for so long. The familiar people and places that he has always known are now the invisible forces that populate his songs simultaneously uplifting and haunting his person musically.
These characters, Stricklin’s own love of face-to-face conversation, and enjoyment of wasting an afternoon sitting on a front porch have all given his music a flavor that is authentic.
Strickin’s debut performance, a shaking, shuffling rendition of Elvis Presley’s “You Ain’t Nothin but a Hound Dog,” while holding a glitter-glued, paper-plate guitar, took place at a kindergarten talent show. After a crushing third-place finish, Stricklin swore to never be third again.
Stricklin’s musical journey really took off when he was 11 years old and received a hand-me-down guitar from his father. He learned to play guitar before he even learned to ride a bike. Out of all of the hobbies he pursued, music “just never went away,” he says. One of the first inspirations that shaped his musical passion was seeing the video of Blink 182’s “What’s My Age Again” and thinking, “I want to be as old as they are and as happy as they appear,” recalls Stricklin.
Stricklin pursued his love of music at the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music. It was during this time that another milestone in his artistic development came while hearing The National’s “Fake Empire” on their album Boxer. The words drew him in more than the music. “I don’t know what he’s talking about but I believe it,” says Stricklin about hearing the album. “I want these things to be universal because I feel it.” Thus, the two components of Oh, Jeremiah were finally in place: the technical complexity of music and lyrical depth.
These two attributes are what have shaped the sound and presentation of Oh, Jeremiah. They have drawn him to musical influences such as Josh Ritter, Shovels & Rope, and Ryan Adams.
Stricklin’s music is best described as Americana with elements of whimsy and gentle seriousness. He’s drawn towards artists who demonstrate vulnerability and a genuine connection with their audience, both lyrically and in performance. He avoids the current simplicity of pop music, and instead rather pursues exploring the richness of various instrumentation in his songs and his shows. Although Oh, Jeremiah is Stricklin’s debut solo project, it has been his experiences with multiple bands over the last five years that has inspired and brought him to this place.
 
Oh, Jeremiah plays Thursday, Sept. 5 along with singer/songwriter Julie Slonecki at Tin Roof, located at 1117 Magnolia Road. Fore more information, call 571-0775.