Omni’s New Album 'Multi-task' Is a Post-Punk Wet Dream

Atlanta post-punk experimental indie act Omni are remaining ever so omnipresent (lolol sorry not sorry) as they make their return this Friday via Trouble in Mind with their sophomore album, titled Multi-task. The trio features ex-Deerhunter guitarist Frankie Broyles, former Carnivores member Philip Frobos (on bass and vocals), and Doug Bleichner on drums. The follow up to their 2016 debut album Deluxe, Multi-task is 11 tracks worth of sonic goodness, heavy on thick and fun guitar licks matched by equally complicated but light lyrics.

Multi-task was written and demoed with their friend and engineer Nathaniel Higgins (who also worked on Deluxe) at his home studio in Atlanta. "Writing in there just feels right," Broyles says of his hometown. "When we sit down to record a demo, songs just sort of appear. Not always but… sometimes. I love that you can escape Atlanta within Atlanta."

Parts of the record were also recorded in a remote cabin in the woods near Vienna, Georgia (just under three hours drive south), a location Broyles grew up going to with his family. "Moments after arriving at the cabin, the stress of being in Atlanta just disappeared. Everything got a lot easier. We could finally focus… It's a special place."

Frobos agreed that that time was vital and calls it the best recording experience he's ever had. "The scenery—tall pines, old cemetery, and natural spring. Being able to wake up, have a coffee on the porch, take a break from recording to walk through the field at night. The record definitely benefited from our trips to Vienna. We may not have made our deadline had we not gone. It was nice to be immersed."

The band recorded the album between touring, making time to get in the studio while trying to balance work schedules and everyday personal life shit. "It became a very stressful situation but I think the recorded probably benefited from that," Broyles says. Indeed, there was some emotional juggling in the creation of Multi-task. " Multi-task was coined while on tour and we often joked about dealing and not dealing with our situations while being strapped in for the ride," Frobos addas. "I also got out of a very long relationship, a situation that was difficult to realize." The album's lead single "Equestrian" is anthem focused on facing their privilege. "Keeping a satirical lens towards situations you encounter is important," Frobos says. "Especially when it's a privileged one." Meanwhile, fellow single "Southbound Station" is an ode to being young and having fun with a crush or two. Maybe drinking beyond your means and taking the transit because you're broke as a joke. Public transit has never been so romantic.

Kate Killet is a documentary photographer and writer. Follow her on Twitter.

Catch Omni on tour:
Wed. Sep. 20 - Dublin, IRE @ Whealan's
Thu. Sep. 21- Glasgow, UK @ Hug & Pint
Fri. Sep. 22 - Liverpool, UK @ Liverpool Psychfest
Sat. Sep. 23 - Brighton, UK @ Sticky Mike's Frog Bar
Tue. Oct. 17 - Nashville, TN @ The End
Wed. Oct. 18 - New Orleans, LA @ Santos
Thu. Oct. 19 - Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas
Fri. Oct. 20 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
Sat. Oct. 21 - El Paso, TX @ Monarch
Sun. Oct. 22 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge
Mon. Oct. 23 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Moroccan Lounge
Tue. Oct. 24 - San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern
Fri. Oct. 27 - Portland, OR @ High Water Mark Lounge
Sat. Oct. 28 - Seattle, WA @ The Central Saloon
Sun. Oct. 29 - Vancouver, BC @ Astoria
Mon. Oct. 30 - Spokane, WA @ Baby Bar
Tue. Oct. 31 - Missoula, MT @ Union Ballroom
Thu. Nov. 2 - Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
Fri. Nov. 3 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry Sat.
Nov. 4 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
Sun. Nov. 5 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Tue. Nov. 7 - Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop Bar
Wed. Nov. 8 - Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
Thu. Nov. 9 - Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha
Fri. Nov. 10 - Montreal, QC @ Brasserie Beaubien
Sat. Nov. 11 - Somerville, MA @ Boston Hassel Fest (Once Lounge)
Mon. Nov. 13 - Brooklyn, NY @ Baby's All Right
Tue. Nov. 14 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
Wed. Nov. 15 - Washington, DC @ Songbyrd DC
Thu. Nov. 16 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
Fri. Nov. 17 - Raleigh, NC @ King's Raleigh

Correction: This article originally listed Billy Mitchell as Omni's drummer. Noisey regrets the error.