Gregor Of Oluma Interview

From Leipzig, Germany, OLUMA Has the Key to Rhythm: Gregor’s Insights on OLUMA’s Joyful Sound, Exploring Jazz, Afrobeat, And Friendship! 

Interview by Gina Sedman | The Indie Post Magazine Head Editor 

I recently had an exhilarating interview with Gregor, the bassist of the dynamic band OLUMA, during his vacation in New Jersey. Hailing from Leipzig, Germany, OLUMA has been making a significant impact since its inception in 2021, skillfully fusing jazz, Afrobeat, and various global sounds into a distinctive musical style. In our chat, Gregor revealed how he and his bandmates united, the creative spark behind their latest album, Cooking Time, and their collaborative approach to music that embodies a fun, community-driven vibe. We also explored his personal musical journey, the joy of collaborating with friends, and his insights for aspiring artists trying to find their way in today’s music landscape. Here’s what he had to say! 

Gina: Hi Gregor, how are you? 

Gregor: Hi Gina, I'm great! Just a little jet-lagged, but I'm okay. 

Gina: Well, I know how that feels, so I won’t keep you long. On the other hand, I want to thank you for your time today. 

Gregor: Thank you, Gina, for having me. 

Gina: My pleasure! So, Gregor, may I first ask where you are from? 

Gregor: Yeah! We’re all based in Leipzig, Germany. 

Gina: Awesome! Now, Gregor, how did you all meet and come together on this musical journey? What’s your story? 

Gregor: OLUMA was founded in 2021 by me, the bassist, and the drummer, André van der Heide. We both moved to Leipzig, where we met our saxophone player, Roman Polatzky. Together, we founded the band. 

André and I grew up in Berlin, soaking in the local music scene, especially the international influences. I remember us going out a lot, and suddenly we heard this funky music that wasn’t quite funk. It had different rhythms, and we were hooked. Then someone told us it was Afrobeat, which we found intriguing. 

Both of us studied jazz, but from the beginning, we wanted to create music that reflected what we enjoyed most. It wasn’t the standard sound you typically hear from jazz students. In the UK, there are tons of instrumental bands, and while you might think people don’t like that music, there’s definitely a scene for it—also in Germany. It’s not as big as in the UK, but that's the beauty of music; it speaks to everyone. Since it has no lyrics, everyone can relate to it in their own way. 

Gina: Absolutely, Gregor! I’m curious—when did you first discover your passion for music? What captivated you about music and led you down this path instead of pursuing other interests? 

Gregor: My passion for music is deeply connected to my family. I grew up in a house with a rehearsal room in the basement. My parents made music together, and we always had people over, jamming and sharing music. I learned by ear and didn’t take formal lessons; I mostly learned while playing. I’m thankful to my parents for giving me that opportunity, and it’s also how we compose our music. 

Most of the time, André and I write the music together, but it’s not a formal process. We don’t sit at the piano and write notes. Instead, we use a loop station or tap out a beat on our laptops. It might sound rough, but it helps us imagine how the band might interpret it. We don’t want to show it to anyone initially, but it allows us to envision how it could sound. Then we transcribe it ourselves. 

This playful approach to composing mirrors how I learned music. André started drumming at the age of seven in a Brazilian samba group. By the time we met at 16, he was already a professional musician. He even introduced me to the idea of studying music. At that point, I didn’t even know what jazz was! Since then, we’ve played together. 

We started in a reggae band and hope to integrate that into our music eventually. The great thing about dance music is its vibe; it invites participation. We want to spread the word about Afrobeat and raise awareness of artists like Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì, who helped develop the genre. That’s one of our goals. 

Our aim is to bring joy to people. I know it’s a classic sentiment, but it’s still a relevant one, especially as times get tougher. Music has the power to lift people’s spirits and make them feel happy. 

Gina: And your music does just that, Gregor! Thank you for sharing all of this with me. Now let’s talk about your album, “Cooking Time.” 

Gregor: Yes, Gina! “Cooking Time” is a synonym for making music. It reflects the friendship between André, the drummer, and me, as we live together. It’s about the music we've played since we were 16 and the exchange of cooking skills. 

We love to cook and share food, especially in our living community. Cooking serves as a metaphor for our music. In our jazz studies, we learned to explore various styles, constantly searching for new sounds and inspiration, especially in these times. 

It’s important to understand music’s rules and treat it with respect, but like cooking, music becomes tastier when you mix things up. Sticking only to traditional recipes doesn’t make sense to me. “Cooking Time” embodies that philosophy. 

Gina: Fantastic! I really appreciate you explaining the concept behind the album, Gregor. It’s wonderful to have a best friend as your bandmate, especially when inspiration strikes. It seems you've recreated that nurturing musical environment your parents provided for you and produced some incredible music. So, where can fans find your new album if they want to show their support and learn more about you and your upcoming live performances? 

Gregor: Yes, we have vinyl and CDs available, along with three different organic spice mixes created by Elias Abdennour, the owner of the Leipzig spice factory Bazar. While there are various places to purchase them, the best option for us is on Bandcamp. You can also find them on Amazon and through our distributors. However, the spice mix is exclusively available on our Bandcamp page, and you can hear the music on all streaming platforms. For updates on our shows, check out our Instagram page at @oluma.music or visit our website at www.oluma.de . 

Gina: That's great. Thank you so much, Gregor. One last question: what would you say to inspire someone who's just starting out? 

Gregor: Well, Gina, I think it’s always worthwhile to stay open to working with quality PR agencies and record labels. I know this might not be new advice, but it's still relevant, especially when it comes to building momentum. We’ve had a fantastic experience with our collaborators, so I definitely suggest exploring those avenues. 

I’d also recommend attending concerts to see what other bands are doing; it’s a great way to get inspired. Early on, we sampled different influences, analyzed styles, and gathered ideas from various performances. 

For those who may feel intimidated by writing their own music—as I once did—it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. I spent two years in a jazz program and was inundated with information, feeling like I should be able to compose anything, even an opera! Ironically, when it came time to create, I didn’t rely much on that technical training. Instead, I simply sat in front of my laptop, singing and coming up with melodies naturally. 

People often assume we’re a team of high-level, professional musicians crafting complex arrangements, but the truth is we approach our compositions with diligence and simplicity. Our process isn’t just a casual jam session, especially with a large ensemble like ours. With nine people involved, it requires some structure and, honestly, a bit of leadership to keep things moving smoothly. 

Organizing a group this large can be challenging, particularly since many of our members play with other bands. Financially, it’s almost a break-even effort for us; we pay our musicians, though not as much as a top 40 cover band might. Still, I feel happy to have found passionate, patient people who believe in the project. 

These are the insights I’d share with anyone navigating similar experiences. It may sound straightforward, but it’s what works for us. 

Gina: Gregor! That is great advice. It was wonderful speaking with you today about your amazing career in music and your nine-member global groove phenomenal band known as OLUMA. I really appreciate you taking time out of your vacation to talk to me and our readers. Your music is fun and uplifting, and I think all of you are phenomenal musical creators and musicians. Keep up the great work! 

My prayers are that God will bless the work of your hands and that it be done according to His will for your life. I pray that the Lord will bless your family and your band family, keeping you all safe in your travels. I hope God brings good people into your life who mean well and want to support and encourage you. I want you to know that I am proud of every accomplishment you’ve made thus far in your career, your tenacity, your boldness, and your courage in sharing your unique, God-given gift. Thank you so much. You're amazing. 

Gregor: Thank you, Gina. 

Gina: My pleasure.