Ocean Rivers On the Making Of “St Christine”
What was the creative process like for this particular "St Christine?"
With 90% off our songs, Dan our Vocalist writes the lyrics and comes in with the idea and a bunch of chords and melodies. From there it tends to be Dan and Ollie our drummer really getting a structure and rhythm nailed down. From there we tend to work as a full band on all aspects of the song. Jack on guitars brings his own unique flavour to the mix and Keiran is our chief Violin player and strings composer. He writes his parts last when the main body is there. We tend to bow to his superior knowledge and skills! Ha!
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "St Christine?"
St Christine was a song born out of lockdown during the pandemic. As with most of our songs, there is a story to tell in the first instance. Dan tends to concentrate on writing about real issues or experiences, whether it be personal or just something he's witnessed and wants to write about. The selflessness of this particular individual and her sacrifice was something that just sat and resonated, along with the loss. It was something that needed to be written about. Christine was not alone. Many others went bravely to work every day and gave their all.
What did you enjoy most about making this single?
The same as all the others we have recorded, to be honest. We get to hang out as a group of long-standing friends and make music! The whole process is fantastic from start to finish, but hearing the demo and then our finished mixed and mastered work is always a highlight at the end!
How did your band members initially come together?
We all met kind of serendipitously on the Leeds music scene over the last 20 or so years. Most of us go way back and have played in various bands and projects together before this one. Dan and Jack started jamming when flat sharing about 8 years ago and really started to refine the idea that became Ocean Rivers. With Ollie being the latest addition to the lineup and the youngest, fittest, and probably best-looking! He is also Dan's eldest lad and has been drumming since age 7 (16 at the time of recording).
What are your future goals or aspirations as a band?
To be able to reach a larger audience really. To have the ability to keep growing and making music together. Touring would be incredible too! We are a way off yet but as the fan base builds we'd love to get out there and meet some of our fans and see the world!
ALBUM REVIEW: LITTLE OIL “LITTLE OIL”
Album of the Week
As an experienced session musician in the Bay Area who has played in many live bands in the past years, Little Oil, aka Victor Mitrani, produces a solid full-band sound that is easy to vibe with and sink into. Being tired of comprising his artistic vision and freedom, Mitrani decided to be the music director as he was born to be. Absorbing various influences from folk, rock, blues, country, and pop, Little Oil presents a vast palette of sounds and colors while remains raw and authentic. Little Oil where it takes you on a sunny, kaleidoscopic journey.
“Losing Game” opens with a warm, optimistic road trip vibe featuring captivating strumming riff and charming slide guitar along with Little Oil’s soothing vocal that immediately lightens up your mood and puts you behind the driver seat where the landscape opens up as the wind strokes your hair. "Blind enough to see the light; Blind enough to seem alright” is the spirit. “So I Call His Name” hits the southern blues spots with a swamp, gospel characteristic. Blending a classic rock vocal style with a rich, soulful choir that responds to the lead vocal’s desperate calling; a harmonica soaring in a near-distance.
“Tied To Him” revolves around a nostalgic, mesmerizing chorus that reminds you of many familiar sounds while adhering to Little Oil’s own aesthetic. It’s a personal song that reflects his upbringing with a father who has a gambling problem. “Through The Trees” retreats to a reverberant country landscape where one stands at a crossroad looking back and forward. Dreamful and smoothing with an underlying intensity that gives you a sense of sacredness and destiny: “Up the road, cannot see, 'round the bend, through the trees.”
“Big Mistake” concludes the album with a truthful, heartfelt song about blame and regret. It takes you back to the initial fuzzy warmth that reminds you of the beginning, at the same time, its storytelling makes you want to linger longer in the sonic world of Little Oil.
Written by Katrina Yang
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SINGLE REVIEW: HISTORIAN “BROKEN CUP”
Staff Pick
Photo credit: Mallory Turner
From a fragmented, misbehaving drumbeat gradually developing into live drums as if finding its shape and rhythm stretching in its brokenness, “Broken Cup” explores grief and sorrow towards frailty as we all feel as humans. Ethereal vocals and reminiscing melodies washed away the rest of the world, Historian found a new world in the sonics.
Hypnotic and cathartic. “Broken Cup” is its own world. It sets on the edge of dark and light, resonance and dissonance, peace and sorrow, pure emotional release and spiritual exploration. Written during an emotional low point where brokenness took a new shape in the sonics, “Broken Cup” is reflective of its own creation. Like the wind that glistens with immersive light, it’s easy to get lost in its soft, milky dreamscape.
Historian is the sonic brainchild of LA-native Chris Karman. Fully absorbed from the landscape where the mountains meet the ocean, “Broken Cup” is the wonderful blend of melancholy and enchantment. There’s the existence of spirits in its flowing sound.
“Broken Cup” features a cello section from A Cello Symphony. The song serves as a preview of Historian's upcoming album Out of Seasons, where Karman went to great length to gather over 30 musicians from well-established bands and explore sounds and new territories. The album is scheduled for release on Nov. 5.
Written by Katrina Yang
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SINGLE REVIEW: JAKE BRACEY & THE MOUNTAIN LAURELS “SYNAPSE”
Song of the Day
Cutting lyricism, heartfelt storytelling, “Synapse” is the moment of a truthful reflection, looking oneself in the mirror. The song tackles on the hard choices and imperfections of life from the perspective of being a dive-bar musician. No one can really have it all, in the process of becoming the person we need to be, we constantly make sacrifices and compromises, and some of these decisions you may find yourself regretting in a quiet time.
Jake Bracey & The Mountain Laurels have a naturally warm, Woodburn feel with a range of well-balanced influences. Smooth, soulful, and infectious, every instrument is a wonderful delight to the others around. With the band’s experience deep-rooted in live performance, “Synapse” can blend into any environment and transform the mood into its own storytelling.
It’s a song that freezes time and takes you to the feels where it burns you with its brutally honest lyrics. It dives deep into our human experience where it essentially becomes transparent — a reflection of your own past.
Written by Katrina Yang
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