We Are The Ocean owe their roots to the post-hardcore scene, to the frenetic, tangle offshoots of punk.
Since then, though, the Essex group have shifted and evolved. Now working in levels of prog bombast and outright rock, We Are The Ocean recently settled into the studio to work on fresh material.
New album 'Ark' will be released on May 11th, with fans who pre-order able to gain 'Do It Together' as an immediate download.
Clash asked We Are The Ocean to describe some of the sounds which fuelled their new record.
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Pearl Jam – 'Animal'
The honest sound from this album was an inspiration for us to record in way we havent done before, a true, powerful, full of feel live sound. We were bored of hearing the same midified rock bands. We would record the songs without click and rely on feel and knowing between each other to get the final take.
There'd be little, sometimes beautiful mistakes but as long as what was playing back through the speakers gave good vibrations then we were all for it. – Liam
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Led Zeppelin – 'Dazed And Confused'
It's hard to pick one song from there incredible catalogue of drum, bass, vocal, guitar mastery. From listening to Zepplin we all pushed ourselves in the writing process and in the studio. – Liam
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Joe Cocker – 'With A Little Help From My Friends' (Live at Woodstock)
The man is possessed by the music in this video! Id watch this before recording any vocal take. The soulful, fearless, out right this me take me as I am approach, was a huge inspiration while finding my voice on the album. – Liam
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Jeff Buckley – 'Grace'
Incredibly talented vocalist and song writer. The dynamic he's got with the band is very progressive for it's time. Guitar music played in a unique way. I like when instruments sound a bit unconventional to how you'd expect. Thinking outside of the box from the classic compositions you might associate with the sound.
Amazing highs and lows. When you're high you're soaring and when it's coming down you really feel solemn. Shows how changing up arrangements can bring out a great part in the song – Alfie
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Queens Of The Stone Age – 'Feel Good Hit Of The Summer'
This band have such great character in their music. Their sound can be so driving and I think that corresponds to where they are geographically. Recording out in the dessert, it feels like that. We definitely wanted to capture that in this record.
The environment you locate yourselves in while recording definitely has an influence on how the songs will come out. You can really hear the barn live-room and the grounds atmosphere of Middle Farm Studios on this record – Alfie
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'Ark' will be released on May 11th.
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