An indie folk twin sister duo based in Perth, Oceanique's angelic harmonies and emotive lyrics breathe in soulful nostalgia by the lungful.
Originally from the small coastal town of Walpole in south-west WA, Oceanique released their debut EP 'Flowers From Home' in March last year.So far in 2022, Oceanique have landed a residency at Leederville Songwriters Club while they also supported Emily Barker on her WA tour.
Set to return to the studio next month to record with James Newhouse as they continue work on Oceanique's debut album (due in 2023), sisters Maddy and Jess recently took the covers off their newest single 'Emotional Weight'.
Gorgeous, heavenly harmonies meld together with sublime, tranquil finger-picked guitar that adds an achingly rich tone to the piece, while there's a haunting piano riff paired with dusty drum rolls that quietly beckon you from behind the curtains, drawing you in deeper to the rhythm.
Today, scenestr is stoked to premiere the song's accompanying music video, which was directed by local filmmaker Tashi Hall. Enjoy.
"We wrote 'Emotional Weight' when we were both feeling a little lost and directionless," begins Jess and Maddy.
"We started moving the furniture around in our apartment to feel some kind of change hence the line in the bridge: 'And I'm moving the furniture around, hoping it could shift the energy.'
"We wanted the recording to carry all of that emotion and we were listening to Angie McMahon's cover of 'Tea, Milk And Honey' at the time and we fell in love with the simplicity of the production and how the layered vocals carried so much weight.
"We wanted the recorded version of the song to have that push and pull feeling with weighty choruses and calm verses, and for it to continue to build as the song goes on."
When it came to filming, the ladies employed a specific technique to achieve the slow-motion results.
"We had a version of the song that was double speed for us to sing to, so we could get footage of us singing with everything around us in slow motion, if that makes sense.
"It was the strangest thing to hear, it definitely sounded like some kind of pop remix and it took us both a couple of goes before we could get through the song without laughing, but it did make for some really cool shots."
Oceanique 2022 Tour Dates
Fri 22 Apr - Vancouver Arts Centre (Albany)Sat 23 Apr - House Concert (Bunbury)
Sun 24 Apr - The Cidery (Bridgetown)
Mon 25 Apr - Settlers Tavern (Margaret River)
Fri 29 Apr - Four5Nine (Perth)
