Introductions

An unusual sight, a packed bar with half its patrons sitting cross-legged in front of the stage; it must be a Doodles + Oph show. Bandmates Selma Jaber (they/them) and Ariana Ciorciari (they/she) sit on stage facing the audience, decked out in overalls and Pennywise the clown socks, giggling to each other and tuning a uke (or two, if Selma isn’t sporting their signature nails). You’re in for a cathartic treat.

The best friends weave indie-pop songs together with gorgeous harmonies and bittersweet heartache. With a strong focus on mental health, the duo writes music about the realities of grief, anxiety, and getting through the damn day in a complex world. Their stage presence is all about intimate coziness, carving out a bit of space to release some tension and embrace growth. Delicate melodies laced with frustrated expletives tell the tales of that one person in your life who takes far more than they give, of folks who think they are helping when they tell you to go touch grass in the middle of your panic attack, of how sometimes you just want to talk things over with your mom. These immensely relatable tunes will make you feel seen and heard, all without copays or insurance cards.

The band, named for their cats, Doodles and Ophelia (Selma and Ariana’s respectively), is based on a long friendship forged by a love for musical theater, silliness, and obsessively watching the remake of Stephen King’s “It”. You know, for comfort. The focal point of the band is for the duo to work through their day-to-day struggles musically, together. Sharing their work with anyone is secondary to the process itself.

Doodles + Oph started when the buds showed up wearing cat ears to play an open mic at The Basement, a venue Jackie Guma used to run in Port Jefferson Station. The Basement (of an office building) was an incubator for new and seasoned musicians alike, a space for exploring new ideas and embracing creativity. Their favorite shows to play are still hosted by Jackie and her company, Equilibrium Bookings— especially the Katie’s of Smithtown open mic.

Shows and Streams

Doodles + Oph have shared the bill with many of their favorite Long Island artists, including MJT, dhära, The Chris Ruben Band, and Christine Sweeney. The pair is psyched to be playing at Alive After Five in Patchogue this summer, so be sure to keep your eyes open for lineups for the series!

Support & Subscribe

Bandcamp
Instagram
E-Mail

Inspirations and Influences

Both Selma and Ariana come from music- and stage-loving families. Selma’s mother, affectionately known as Mama or Miss Vivienne by nearly all who know her, is a well-known private music teacher. Many in our music community have taken piano or vocal lessons from her over the years, and, naturally, Selma was raised surrounded by musical inspiration. From church choirs and opera to quirky musicals, they found a home on stage.

Ariana’s parents were also enthusiasts. Her father sings and plays guitar and has a long rap sheet of acting roles under his belt; reach out for information on potential private screenings of cult horror flick “The Soul Tangler”. Surrounded by the sounds of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and pretty much anything catchy, it’s no surprise Ariana bloomed into a flower child in the wrong era. As a dance student of many years, musical theater was a natural progression, which is where Selma and Ariana’s paths crossed.

“Music is really important, so you know, just do it”

— Selma Jaber

Edited by: Travis Ryan - April 2024