On February 14, 2025, Oracle Sisters released their sophomore album Divinations on their own label, Wizard Artists, distributed by FUGA. Written during a winter retreat in rural northern France, the album marked a shift toward more dynamic, upbeat songs crafted with live performance in mind.

Just weeks later, Julia Johansen and Lewis Lazar reflected on that process in an interview, joined briefly by Lazar, who gamely dialed in while jogging before sunset. Their newest single, "Wait For Me," released the same day as the conversation, is one of several outtakes from the Divinations sessions. Though the song was born in the same cabin, Julia explained that it felt "a bit too garage-y pop-ish" to sit alongside the rest of the record. Rather than shelve it, the band has chosen to release it as part of a series of bonus tracks — giving fans a fuller picture of those prolific sessions.

The trio's international backgrounds continue to shape their sound in subtle but striking ways. Julia is from Finland, Chris Willatt hails from Northern Ireland, and Lazar is Danish, having also lived in New York for several years. Lazar noted the pull of Irish folk melodies and traditions, while Julia teased that a future track sung in Finnish isn't out of the question.

One standout from Divinations is "Alouette." Though it carries a distinct 80s-90s flair, Julia admitted the vibe wasn't deliberate. The track was born when the band realized they needed something faster, so they set the tempo to 175 bpm in Logic, programmed the OP-1 drum machine, and built it together — Lazar on OP-1, Willatt on guitar, Johansen on bass.

That spirit of experimentation extended across the record. Julia, for example, picked up the drums for the first time in seven years, describing the "innocence" of returning to an instrument after such a long break. It lent a freshness to the sessions that fed directly into the album"s live-ready energy.

Visuals are just as central to Oracle Sisters as songwriting. Lazar directed the "Riverside" video himself, while "Hail Mary", "Tramp Like You", and "Ruby on the Run" were all shot in Marrakech with director Jade de Brito Lopes. Julia added that the band draws inspiration from visionary filmmakers like Sergei Parajanov, citing The Color of Pomegranates for its surreal and symbolic imagery. She hinted that a short film could even be on the horizon.

Launching their own label, Wizard Artists, has given Oracle Sisters complete artistic independence, with FUGA providing trusted distribution support. Julia emphasized how vital that independence is, noting her appreciation for the team's care and reliability.

The band has now returned to North America for their latest tour, including a sold-out stop at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles. Asked if she was excited to come back, Julia shared how warmly they've always been received in the U.S. — recalling their last LA show at the Roxy — and laughed about a past interview during NAMM where the band had been most eager to try as much American food as possible.

There's also a playful mystique that follows Oracle Sisters. When asked whether there might ever be a novel about "the Queen of Elves" — a nickname sometimes applied to Julia — she burst out laughing: "Where did you read that! Maybe one day."

When asked which Tarot card could represent Divinations, Julia offered two possibilities: "The World," a nod to the chorus of their song "Marseille" ("We are the world"), or "The Fool." At that point, their interviewer pointed out the jester in the "Blue Left Hand" video — a connection Julia acknowledged with a laugh.

At the Lodge Room, Oracle Sisters closed their sold-out set with "I Don’t Wanna Move," one of their earliest songs, before surprising the crowd with a final, unannounced number: "Goodnight Irene, Goodnight" by The Weavers. Julia was joined onstage by their touring keyboardist, as well as Sabine McCalla and Casey Jane — two supporting acts from the night — to deliver an a cappella rendition that felt timeless and communal. The entire room joined in, clapping and stomping in rhythm, turning the performance into something closer to a folk gathering than a concert. The following night in San Diego also sold out, underscoring just how much momentum Oracle Sisters are building on both sides of the Atlantic.

- Lio