PRESS KIT
BIO
Formed in 2010 in Lompoc, CA, and then later moved to Los Angeles in 2019, The Only Ocean is the project of singer/guitarist, Wesley Hill, and bassist, Jordan Kaufman. This is the latest release following their May 2023 EP, It's All My Fault produced by Jonathan DeBaun (The Mars Volta, Antemasque, Le Butcherettes, Mon Laferte). Met with a positive reaction from fans, the self-released It's All My Fault pulled in 27,943 streams with the title track getting an impressive 17,259 streams. After a year away The Only Ocean is back with a new single, "Two Sides To Celebrate".
Drawing inspiration from Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode, The Only Ocean has crafted a new sound for themselves that seamlessly weaves together elements of indie rock, shoegaze, and electronic music. "Two Sides To Celebrate" is a testament to their musical versatility and showcases their ability to create a genre-defying sonic experience. Produced once again by longtime collaborator Jonathan DeBaun (The Mars Volta, Antemasque, Le Butcherettes, Mon Laferte) "Two Sides To Celebrate" explores a territory not often explored by Hill, allowing himself to be happy. "The song takes a jab at thinking you need to be sad or miserable to be creative. You can still be happy and make art you’re proud of. It's funny because there wasn't a moment during this session where I didn't feel happy. Everything and everyone's energy was positive and focused on the experience." "Two Sides To Celebrate" also sees The Only Ocean explore a whole new rhythmic palette like they've never done before. From Hill's guitar harmonic riff to Kaufman's bass line, "Two Sides To Celebrate" fills every rhythmic pocket. From the second the song starts you're never without a moment of movement.
"Two Sides To Celebrate" is available on all major streaming platforms on June 14th, 2024.
QUOTES
"The Only Ocean has succeeded in gifting a song that is an encapsulation of even a sliver of that shared emotion. Empathy has never been more unified."
"The Only Ocean's swirling take on indie-rock grabs a page from the urgent neo-shoegazers, psych-rockers and post-punk bands of the Aughts who found catharsis in giant splashes of guitar and choppy rhythms."
"With a steady stream of buzz-worthy singles, EP’s that have received rave reviews, and a new, re-energized line-up, the L.A alternative-rock band The Only Ocean is making waves in L.A’s music scene."
PRESS PHOTOS
MUSIC
New album, Two Sides to Celebrate, out June 14th.