Billy O, a Vancouver-based artist who loves a broad spectrum of music, has always refused to be defined by a single genre.
His early days with The Ormidales were spent experimenting across genres, a trait he’s carried into his solo work. His music pulls from an impressive range of influences—from The Beatles and Elvis to Bowie and Roxy Music—giving his sound a timeless quality.
Billy O’s latest release, “Rain on Me,” captures a raw, melancholic vibe that feels intimate and cinematic. You can feel Billy O’s blend of classic and modern inspirations in the song. The track carries a neo-noir mood, with p.d. Wohl’s layered production adding depth to each verse. Ryan McLean’s background vocals create an ethereal undertone, amplifying the song’s haunting, reflective tone.
There’s an undeniable eighties influence here, reminiscent of Bowie’s atmospheric storytelling and the emotional intensity of bands like Simple Minds. Still, it’s given a fresh twist that feels distinctly Billy O.
Lyrically, “Rain on Me” explores themes of vulnerability and longing, an open invitation to be immersed in life’s emotional highs and lows. Billy’s vocal delivery is soulful and grounded, allowing listeners to enter the song’s reflective atmosphere.
For fans of genre-blending, “Rain on Me” is a striking piece that speaks to Billy’s dedication to staying true to his eclectic roots.
Welcome to Buzz, Billy O. With “Rain on Me,” you collaborated with p.d. Wohl and Ryan McLean. How did their contributions influence the final sound?
I have been working with p.d Wohl for many years, and he has brought many of my songs to life from their genesis to a finished piece. The demo I first let him listen to had the essence intact for him to take it to the next stage; again, he did it majestically. We wanted to add some vocals to add texture and a touch of youth, so he asked his talented son Ryan to have a go, which he did wonderfully. He is a talented lad and added some nice touches
Was there a particular moment in the studio while creating “Rain on Me” that stood out as a defining part of the song?
After sending PD the demo and going to his studio for the first vocal tracks, I locked into what he had created and was delighted that the essence was still retained.
That allowed me to do my vocals without compromising the original feel. It was after my vocal tracks that Ryan added his vocals and ideas, and they seemed to work well, a really nice addition.
When creating Rain on Me, did you find that any specific memories or life moments surfaced and influenced the songwriting process?
Yes, it evolved out of a hard time my wife and I were going through with her son struggling with some terrible mental issues and homelessness. He lived in the streets and slept outside in a park through a very wet Vancouver winter.
I thought using rain as a metaphor for cleansing and purity would be a universal image many may relate to...It was a very tough time for us. I always felt a sense of peace in the wet Vancouver nights and days as well, and I still enjoy the solitude of a walk through nature in a downpour; such beautiful silence. We are grateful he is recovering and in a warm bed at night.
As someone who loves a range of music eras, is there a particular period or style you’d like to explore more in your future work?
Most, if not all, of my songs start from a melody that comes from the muse, whether with my acoustic guitar, piano noodle, or just humming while walking down the street. Some stay in my head; if I wake up at 3 a.m. and it is still playing, I know it is catchy. The earworm is my friend. So, I don’t intentionally write in a style but allow the song to find its own niche.
Looking back on your journey from The Ormidales, how has your perspective on music and artistry evolved?
No more starry eyes, that is certain. The music business is a difficult one, and these days, so many artists are playing and promoting their work. It is a “ here today, gone tomorrow” thing. That being said, we now have the means to make our craft available via the internet so that all can hear and see our videos.
It's fun to look back at all our creations with The Ormidales, still finding new ears and eyes to enjoy. I'm still dreaming and hoping that the next one will crack it.
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