The six friends that comprise The Ocean Party have created a band known for their strong, self-recorded albums and quick turnarounds in between releases.
The Melbourne-based boys continue their fast-paced momentum as they’re set to release their sixth album, ‘Restless’, in seven years. ‘Restless’ is another self-recorded album that displays the progression and the songwriting abilities they possess as Lachlan Denton confidently explains. “The choice mostly comes down to the fact that we are a six-piece band. Our structure is equal, everyone has equal input.
“We want the songs to show progression. We are more focused on becoming better songwriters. Recording in a studio with someone else would just add another head; I don't think we need another person [producer] there.”
With six musicians and songwriters within one band, it could led to tensions. Not for The Ocean Party, though. “There are little things every now and again that create tension. With every record it happens less and less though. Really, I can't say there has been a big problem between us,” he says. “We have known and played with each other for so long that we know when to leave or push each other.”
As the band constantly release new material, they hardly feel pressure when creating fresh music. "For us we put music out so frequently, which seems to take the pressure off because there isn't a big lead up to release.
"Also, we don't strive to be great and have everyone like us. We just keep going, if people don't like one album they might like another. It's really [a] lifestyle; we enjoy hanging out with friends and putting out music that goes beyond just trying to make it.”
With their upcoming tour, Lachlan is looking forward to escaping his normal routine. “Not having to work and being able to hang out is what we are looking forward to. We don't really ever, stop touring. Every time we do a tour it gets bigger and bigger, which is great,” he says. "It gets hard and exhausting though; it can be hard to keep up the enthusiasm, but once we start playing and get into the shows the spirits are resurrected and it's all worth it."
The fast pace the band moves at is an aspect that Lachlan admits they won’t be able to maintain forever, although they have no intention of hitting the brakes anytime soon. “It is inevitable that the time will come where we slow down. I don't know when that time will be, something will probably just come up and we will have to take a break.
“But for now we have already recorded our next record that'll hopefully be out early next year. The album is done; we will begin mixing that when we go on the tour. We seem to have a pattern: when we go on tour we mix the record and spend that couple of months working on track list and things like that."
'Restless' is available now.
Written by Ellen Cook
The Ocean Party Shows
Wed 28 Sep - Beach Road Hotel (Sydney)Thu 29 Sep - The Phoenix (Canberra)
Fri 30 Sep - Petersham Bowls Club (Sydney)
Sat 1 Oct - The Treehouse (Byron Bay)
Sun 2 Oct - SeeSpace (Lismore)
Tue 4 Oct - The Grand Hotel (Cairns)
Wed 5 Oct - The Rec Room (Townsville)
Fri 7 Oct - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
Sat 8 Oct - Trainspotters (Brisbane)
Sun 9 Oct - The Time Machine (Sunshine Coast)
Tue 11 Oct - Bunker Records (Toowoomba)
Wed 12 Oct - The Federal Hotel (Bellingen)
Thu 13 Oct - Franks Wild Years (Thirroul)
Fri 14 Oct - Thyme To Taste (Yass)
15-16 Oct - Tanswells Commercial Hotel (Beechworth)
Thu 20 Oct - The Bridge Hotel (Castlemaine)
Fri 21 Oct - The Metro (Adelaide)
Sat 22 Oct - The Eastern (Ballarat)
Sun 23 Oct - The Birdhouse (Wagga Wagga)
Sat 29 Oct - The Bird (Perth)
Sun 30 Oct - Mojos (Fremantle)
Fri 4 Nov - The Grand Poobah (Hobart)
Sat 12 Nov - The Tote (Melbourne)
