For Sean and Jamie Oshima, music didn’t begin with a record deal or a viral hit. It started in rural Maine—at musical gatherings, family jam sessions, and homes filled with instruments rather than formal lessons. “Our parents are musicians and artists,” Sean says. “We grew up surrounded by songs. There were no lessons, but there was a lot of music.”
Now, the Japanese-Italian Oshima Brothers are one of Maine’s most celebrated indie pop duos, known for their seamless harmonies, infectious stage presence, and dreamy, self-produced tracks that blend acoustic instrumentation with looped electronic textures. But they’re also something rarer: two brothers who’ve built a creative life together and still like each other. Most of the time.
“We’re siblings, so of course we don’t always get along,” Sean laughs. “But we work at it. At the core of the band is our relationship, and that takes effort. People always say, ‘I could never do what you do with my sibling.’ I think you could—you just have to be willing to work.”
The brothers divide their responsibilities by instinct. Jamie is the introvert and a technical wizard who spends hours in a room full of instruments, recording, mixing, and producing both their music and music videos. Sean calls himself the extrovert—he’s the songwriter, the performer, the business brain, and the stylist. “Jamie would dress in all black every day if I let him,” Sean jokes. “I curate our stage looks.”
Together, they’ve created something distinct: a self-sufficient creative ecosystem where every sound, lyric, and visual is a product of their own collaboration. “It’s hard to delegate,” Sean admits. “There are always more ideas than time. But being hands-on has allowed us to save money, make decisions quickly, and keep the vision clear.”
That vision has taken them far—from DIY recordings to headlining gigs and a recent set at the University of Maine’s Collins Center, where, as Sean recalls, “the students were screaming and dancing—it was just pure joy.” Still, they’re chasing bigger stages. “Coachella just happened,” Sean says. “I’d love to play Coachella someday.”
In April, the duo released a self-produced, five-song EP, Can You Feel the Sun Returning, that plays with the idea that all things are temporary, and love is the enduring destination. They’ll be performing songs from the new EP, along with favorites from their repertoire, at Portland’s first Back Cove Music and Arts Festival on August 3rd at Payson Park.
The brothers are currently based in Portland, which Sean describes as “an incredible music city for its size,” thanks to hard-working locals and a wide variety of genres that pass through. “We outshine other cities our size,” he says. “And the food scene is next level.”
Sean doesn’t just talk the talk—he eats the eats. On a day off in Portland, you might find him snacking at Onggi, stopping by Izakaya Minato for a meal, sipping a late-night drink at Night Moves, or hosting a dinner party at home. “Since music became my full-time job, my hobbies have become cooking, woodworking, and dancing,” he says. “I spend all my money on food and music.”
When asked about the duo’s goals for the future, Sean’s answer is earnest. “I’m proud of the music we’ve made, but there’s so much more to write. I want to make music that feels good to listen to but also addresses real stuff—climate change, racism, embracing kindness. I think music has the power to change minds.”
And for all their musical ambition, the brothers remain grounded in gratitude. “I feel so spoiled to do this for a living,” Sean says. “And one of the most important parts of the band is our team.”
Which brings him to a final point—one that feels especially relevant in the Gentleman’s Issue. “We’re a boy band trying to be good men in a generally male-dominated industry,” Sean says. “Shout out to our team of badass, smart women—our three managers, our distributor, and our mastering engineer.”
In the end, maybe that’s what sets the Oshima Brothers apart: the music, yes—but also the humility, the joy, and the commitment to doing things their own way, with a deep respect for the people who help them get there.
“Jamie’s obsessed with instruments and video gear. I’m obsessed with performing and meeting people. That’s how the band works—we let each other shine.”
“We want to make music that feels good to listen to—but also that speaks to the things we’re all wrestling with in 2025.”