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Rising Stars: Meet Or Koren of Austin TX

Today we’d like to introduce you to Or Koren.

Hi Or, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We’ve been best friends for 15 years, and our journey started as kids jamming after school, inspired by bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Muse, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Incubus, and Led Zeppelin. Music was our passion from day one, and a few years ago, we made the leap into becoming professionals.

We even set up our own recording studio, which helped us develop our sound and grow as musicians. But our true strength lies in live shows. Performing is where we come alive—it’s how we connect with people and create moments that stick with them.

Our sound blends rock, grunge, and alternative, with raw energy and deep emotion at its core. Playing in nature has shaped us; there’s something about open spaces that makes the music feel even more alive. We’ve built our sound, honed our craft, and continue to push forward with the same passion we had as kids—only now, we know exactly where we’re headed. And we’re just getting started.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like any journey, we’ve faced our challenges. One of the biggest struggles early on was finding our unique sound and figuring out how to stand out in a crowded music scene. Building our own recording studio was a big step, but it also came with technical hurdles and the learning curve of handling everything ourselves.

Another challenge was realizing how different the music industry is compared to what we expected. We’ve had to do a lot more than just make music—we’ve had to focus on networking, building contacts, and managing all the business side of things, which often takes time away from the music itself. Balancing the art with the business has definitely been a learning process.

But every struggle has made us stronger and more determined. It’s all part of the process, and each challenge has shaped us into the band we are today. The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every bit of effort.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What we’re known for, beyond the music itself, is our unwavering commitment to honesty. In a world saturated with fleeting trends and manufactured emotions, we strive to create genuine connections with our audience. We’re proud of the vulnerability we bring to our music, the willingness to confront life’s complexities, and the dedication we have to our craft. We’ve spent 15 years honing our skills, not just as musicians, but as producers and storytellers.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We’re not just creating songs; we’re building a community. We understand that music can be a powerful tool for navigating the human experience, and we want to create a space where listeners feel seen and understood.

We’re not afraid to explore the full spectrum of emotions, to acknowledge that life isn’t always perfect, and to use our music to help people face those realities. We are not afraid to be raw and real. We are in it for the long run, and we are dedicated to build a real connection with a dedicated audience.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
For us, this project is a real commitment. We’re three years in now, and we understand that this is a long-haul journey. We’re all driven, with business minds and ambitions in other areas, but music always pulls us back. And let’s be honest—choosing to go “all in” on music these days takes a lot of courage. It’s a tough industry.

We bring a lot to the table: experience, a real desire to learn, and a commitment to growing as musicians—developing our instrument skills, producing, and songwriting. We’re not just aiming for catchy tunes; we want our music to connect on a deeper level. We want people to feel something real.

We see a lot of superficiality out there. It’s easy to get lost in the noise, and I think many people are becoming a bit apathetic—both toward others and themselves. We’re trying to cut through that. We use the tools and resources available, but we want to keep it authentic.

Ultimately, we want our music to be a reminder: a reminder to be true to yourself, to look failure in the eye, to face your challenges head-on, and to pursue what truly matters. Because, as cliché as it sounds, this life is goddamn short—embrace it. Not everything is perfect. It’s okay and realistic not to feel happy 100% of the time, and good music can help you face it.

It’s like with parents and kids—I, for example, only in the last few years started to internalize how grateful I should be for my parents. I gave them a really hard time as a child, and people often told me, “You need to have more respect, kid.” But sometimes, you can’t learn it from other people’s experiences; you have to experience it yourself. Everyone has a story, and sometimes, you can keep it to yourself. Instead, you can play a groove or a melody.

In five years, we see ourselves with tons of listeners, better music, a stronger friendship, and a dedicated community that truly gets us. We’re in it for the long run. no doubt about it

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Majorluna.
Yanina_balaki
Bshot_tx
Angel Martinez

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