Louie Short: Omw 4ev
Repetitive piano figures and relaxed vocals impart a slacker rock vibe.
By Kerry Doole
Louie Short - Omw 4ev (444%): This Toronto/LA-based singer/songwriter had not crossed the radar of this scribe until now, but he has quickly made an impression with the release (last week) of his second album, Omw 4ev, and this title track, its new single.
In a press release, Short explains that "This song basically repeats itself over and over and yet never feels the same. This is how I feel about love." Commenting on the accompanying video, he continues: "This is a video about a man in metamorphosis. Please note that the caterpillar -> chrysalis footage was filmed by ME! It is not stock footage, it is very rare and special."
The tune features repetitive piano figures amidst a sparse production, and the slacker rock feel brings to mind Mac DeMarco and Steve Malkmus of Pavement.
There's an interesting story behind What Can I Do, the first single taken from Omw 4ev. The song was written by Louie’s father, Michael Short, and Toronto artist BJ Cook in the late '70s. A version of it was recorded at the old RCA studios with the intent of selling it – possibly through BJ’s ex-husband David Foster – but nothing came of it and the tape disappeared. 40 years later, an engineer who’d always like the recording digitized it and emailed it to the writers. His dad played it for him and Short cut his version of the tune.
Short produces and mixes his own material, and the songcraft he displays marks him a contender.
He has an album release show at Toronto's Monarch Tavern on Nov. 17. Tix here.
Links
Publicity: Ken Beattie, Killbeat
Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance of Bob Moses at the W Toronto in September, 2025.Lane Dosey
Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance of Bob Moses at the W Toronto in September, 2025.Lane Dorsey