Ones2Watch Home

If you want frictionless, easy-to-predict-the-next-hook pop music, then Saudi Oil might not be for you. BUT, we argue it's exactly what you should be listening to, as its brash, irreverent, antennae-probing spirit is what good music is and motivates us to be better. That said, describing this incredible NYC band with anything other their own words feels like an injustice, for their very ethos is better felt, or possibly quipped in sardonic bites. To that effect we asked bandleader Christopher Al-Jumah to give us a small summary of their contagiously wild sound & more:

Is this the official company band for Saudi Aramco?  

Not yet but we are desperate to be included in any psyop if saudi or big oil is reading this we are absolutely for sale

Or better said, how’d did Saudi Oil come together?

I’m an architect and I was hired to design this venue for Partisan Records. As a joke I snuck in my contract that they had to listen to a demo of my music and they thought it was hilarious, then they asked me to play a show at the venue and I was like oh fuck I have to form a band. 

We love LOVE your sound, keeps us wanting for adjectives. How do you describe it?

Radio Friendly and ripe for mass consumption- record labels, read that again 

What is the "Hair In My Shower Drain" about? And how does the video reflect that if at all?

I think at its core the songs about being tired of yourself. The music vid leans into surreal but at its core its about the Sylvia Plath fig story and how when youre aging you start seeing life paths deteriorate as you’re forced to make some decisions about where you want your life to go

Who produced the track? Who directed the video?

We produced our tracks ourself, the mix was done by genius Al Carlson (we are his most famous band) and the video was directed by Jeff Alper.

Describe your music as color / activity / place.

It sounds like online gambling  

Besides this excellent video what else should we be on the lookout for?

We’re playing at a theater under KGB bar in Manhattan on 5/15, then releasing another set of singles in June

Give us some NYC tip; where do we go? What do we do?

Right now we’re into Sunnyside Queens.

Whats inspiring you right now outside of music?

Human connection and saying what you are thinking more often

Best way to enjoy Saudi Oil is…? 

On spotify on your MacBook speakers at 1/4 volume while youre doing something else