Review: Cross The Tracks 2026
28 May 2026
Ugly Ozo is an intriguing name that suggests something both raw and otherworldly. Can you share the story behind the name and how it represents your music and identity as a duo?
‘Ozo’ came from this story I found about an old guy in Wyoming who met an alien while out hunting, who introduced themselves as ‘Ausso One’ (pronounced like Ozo). I thought it was so weird, and it kind of stuck after that. I feel like it does represent our music in a sense that it’s unusual, and it suggests that there’s a story to be told.
How has your relationship as sisters developed into this musical partnership?
We’ve always shared similar music tastes, and I definitely inflicted a lot of my inspirations onto Boo growing up. Now she’s older and developed her own tastes, we share so much of it and always want to find new things to be inspired by. I started to encourage Boo to write and contribute ideas towards my own songwriting, and it’s kind of gone from there- she’s like my quality control department. And she writes a sick bassline.
Coming from the Isle of Wight, a place with its own unique culture and history, how did your upbringing influence your musical journey and the themes you explore?
I think there was never much to do growing up on the Isle of Wight, it’s a very quiet place where not a lot happens. I hated school and left to be homeschooled when I was about 12, and I ended up doing a lot of interest-led stuff for the first year or so. In this time I found how much I loved music and playing guitar, as well as realising my fascination for anything paranormal. For a while I did genuinely believe I was going to be a ufologist when I grew up- to be fair I’d still be up for it one day. I think the two interests just naturally combined over time, and now I’ve accidentally ended up writing songs about Bob Lazar and Area 51.
Your music delves into powerful themes like feminine rage, revenge, and the supernatural. What draws you to these themes, and how do they resonate with your personal experiences?
I was a victim of SA/rape in 2020 by someone I had been friends with for a long time. It affected my life so much and changed me as a person, and left me with so many emotions I didn’t know how to deal with. When I wrote remains, I didn’t initially know it was going to be about that experience- it ended up just flowing out of me and I found the whole process quite cathartic. I feel like music is such a powerful tool for expressing how you feel without fear, and writing that song has kind of given me something tangible and positive to hold onto coming out of that period of my life. As for the supernatural- I’ve seen ghosts and UFOs since I was a kid, and just find the whole thing so interesting! My friends laugh at me but I think it’s cool.
The supernatural elements in your music add a fascinating layer to your storytelling. How do these themes connect to your overall artistic vision?
The supernatural is something I’ve had an affinity with for as long as I can remember, and I feel like ugly ozo wouldn’t be complete without it. I like ugly ozo being presented in a way that is unusual and a bit spooky.
I detect an element of post-punk grunge in remains, akin to Daniel Ash’s Bauhaus. How does gothic art rock influence your creative process?
I love eerie guitars and things that sound a bit dissonant and dark. When I go to write a song, I usually start with an idea and then go, ‘how can I make this creepier?’. I like my music to feel like the soundtrack to an old Halloween VHS tape.
As sisters, how do you navigate the creative process together? Do you have complementary roles, or do you find yourselves challenging each other creatively?
I (Jess) do most of the songwriting, and Boo tells me what’s good and what I can do better. She can be savage but I trust her judgement- she’s 5 years younger than me so I need her to keep me relevant. She helped me direct the music video for remains too, and she had some really cool ideas. It’s so fun working with her because she is genuinely my best friend, and we always joke that we share one singular brain cell between us.
The blending of alt-rock, grunge, and eerie surf guitars creates a unique sound. How do you go about crafting this blend, and what influences your choice of sonic elements?
I was mostly self-taught on guitar and learned everything just by playing songs I love. One of my biggest influences is a band called The Wytches- they do eerie surf so well, and their imagery is really cool. I learned their whole first album ‘Annabel Dream Reader’ on guitar when I was probably 14, and it’s still one of my favourites to this day. They definitely shaped my songwriting a lot, as well as bands like Pretty Sick, The Breeders, and Pixies.
The music video for remains is rich with occult imagery, from church altars to grave digging. How important are visuals in your work, and how do they enhance the themes of your music?
I felt like the gothic imagery of angels, tarot cards, grave digging and seances tied in so well with my vision for remains. The song is very vengeful, and at its core is about getting back at someone who wronged me. I thought, what better way to get revenge than to dig your enemy’s grave?! I chose the Devil, Death and Justice tarot cards as a sort of summary of the story behind remains, and then the portrayal of myself as an angel is as if to say I am untouchable and powerful now I’m out the other side.
How did your partnership with Strong Island Recordings bear fruit? What drew you to this label, and how have they supported your artistic vision?
Strong Island Recordings have been so supportive throughout this whole process. Brad approached me back in February after seeing us live, asking if I’d be up for releasing a single with them, and it was the first time I’d kind of been like ‘oh, people do actually like what I’m doing!’. From there I just put everything into making this first release something I could be really proud of, and they’ve been amazing. They’ve always been happy to give me their time and put me on some really cool shows, they’re the best!
The artwork for remains is as enigmatic as the song itself. How do these rich visuals inspire this piece of music?
When I’d finished writing remains, I had this vision of the artwork being the grave of the perpetrator. Rather than it being a typical gravestone, I decided to make this pink fluffy crucifix covered with gems and sequins, just with the word ‘REMAINS’ on it in letter beads. It looks more like a girly celebration of someone’s death than a place of rest. I think it ties in with the DIY visuals of the song, as it’s very obviously homemade and almost tongue in cheek despite the serious subject matter.
Jess, you’ve described remains as a testament to reclaiming power and seeking retribution. What message do you hope listeners take away from this song, especially women who might relate to its themes of betrayal and injustice?
I think listeners who have had a similar experience could relate to the vengeance and the feeling of being disbelieved, whilst also feeling empowered by coming out on top and speaking their truth. I hope that listeners who relate can feel less alone in their grief, and know that there is power in using their voice and holding these people accountable, whether it’s perpetrators or their friends who stand by them after the fact.
How do you hope your audience feels after experiencing an Ugly Ozo performance, and what kind of connection do you want to build with them through your music?
I want ugly ozo live shows to be full of energy and expression, and to be a safe space for everyone. I’d like to leave people feeling empowered whilst also inspired- I’d love to be the sort of figure of hope for women that I wish I’d had!
As a relatively new act with a strong debut, where do you see Ugly Ozo heading in the future? What are your long-term goals for the band?
I definitely want to keep writing and releasing and will hopefully have an EP in the works soon. Long term, I want to be headlining Alexandra Palace and have everyone wearing big angel wings. And maybe play a show in the Cologne Cathedral for a laugh.
What advice would you give to other artists, particularly women, who are trying to find their voice in a male-dominated industry?
I think the best thing you can do as a female artist is use your voice and stand your ground. Too often men will try to talk over you or belittle your expertise. Believe in yourself and be confident in your capabilities!
