Ocean Alley
Ocean Alley is an Australian alternative psychedelic-rock band [1][2] from the Northern Beaches, Sydney. The band is made up of Baden Donegal (vocals, guitar), Angus Goodwin (lead guitar), Lach Galbraith (keyboard, vocals), Mitch Galbraith (guitar), Nic Blom (bass) and Tom O'Brien (drums).[3] Their style of music has been described as "cruisey psych, rock and reggae fusion".[4]
Ocean Alley | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Northern Beaches, Sydney, Australia |
Genres | Alternative rock, psychedelic rock |
Years active | 2011–present |
Labels | Independent |
Website | oceanalley.com.au |
Members | Baden Donegal Angus Goodwin Nic Blom Lach Galbraith Mitch Galbraith Tom O'Brien |
The band has released two studio albums and two EPs independently. Their second album Chiaroscuro debuted at No. 15 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Their 2017 track "The Comedown" was voted in at No. 48 in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2017.[5]
In 2019, Ocean Alley had four songs in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2018 "Happy Sad" at number 100, "Baby Come Back (Like a Version)" at number 16, "Knees" at number 10, and "Confidence" at number 1.
History
Formation (2011)
The band began playing in a backyard shed in 2011.[6] The members were influenced by the music of Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits,[7] and began performing at venues across the Northern Beaches and the city of Sydney, before releasing their debut EP: Yellow Mellow in September 2013.[8]
Yellow Mellow EP (2013)
The band continued to build a following throughout Sydney upon releasing the EP Yellow Mellow, performing at more venues across the city, and began to gather a wider audience online thanks to their title track of the EP, as well as their first music video for the song "Weary Eyed".[9] They first toured interstate in 2014.[10]
In Purple EP (2014–2015)
The band went on to tour around Australia five times[11][12][13][14][15] in their own four-wheel drive (4WD) throughout 2014 and into 2015, gradually building on the size of their shows with each gig. They rounded out their tour dates by releasing their second EP In Purple in August 2015. The EP included the singles "Space Goat" and "Muddy Water".[16]
Lost Tropics and international touring (2015–2016)
At the end of 2015, Ocean Alley began recording their debut studio album Lost Tropics. Various tracks were still being completed up until the day they started recording. The band later stated that this style of creation was productive, as they did not second guess what they were recording.[8] They toured over the 2015/16 summer with The Ruminaters in Australia,[17] and then to New Zealand for the first time in March.[18]
Using video footage they captured on the road over summer, they released a music video for lead single "Holiday"[19] and followed up with "Lemonworld",[20] before announcing (and selling out) their East Coast Australian tour dates in support of the independent release of the album Lost Tropics on 16 May 2016, distributed by MGM.[21][22]
June 2016 marked the beginning of the first major international run of shows for Ocean Alley in support of their debut album. The band would play 40 shows across Europe, including Sold Out shows in the Netherlands and Germany. They also played numerous shows throughout the UK, France, Italy and Switzerland. They would go on to play shows in New Caledonia, before rounding out the Lost Tropics cycle with a tour of Australia and New Zealand, that included appearances at Lost Paradise, Rhythm & Vines, Rhythm & Alps and Soundsplash festival over New Year's Eve.[23][24][25]
Chiaroscuro (2017–2018)
Ocean Alley officially began work on their second album Chiaroscuro in January 2017. The first single from the album, "Overgrown", was released in March 2017.[26][26] The band spent the first half of 2017 touring, supporting Australian acts such as Tash Sultana, The Cat Empire and Xavier Rudd across Australia, as well as playing festivals such as The Hills Are Alive and Groovin' The Moo locally in Maitland. They would then announce their largest Australian tour to date to take place in August and September; they sold-out shows across Australia and New Zealand, including two nights at The Metro Theatre in Sydney.[24]
In August 2017, Ocean Alley released "The Comedown" as the second single from Chiaroscuro. The single was premiered by Linda Marigliano on triple j Good Nights on 8 August. The song would go on to be the band's biggest release to date, charting at #48 on the triple j Hottest 100 in January 2018.[27]
on 4 February 2018, Ocean Alley premiered their single "Confidence" with Richard Kingsmill on triple j. The track was officially released on 6 February 2018, alongside the announcement of their studio album Chiaroscuro.[28] Chiaroscuro was released on 9 March and charted at No. 15 on the ARIA Charts.[29] In support of the release, the band announced headline shows in Australia and North America, as well as being announced to play the Groovin' the Moo festival nationally and Splendour in the Grass 2018.[30] "Confidence" topped the Triple J Hottest 100, 2018.[31]
Lonely Diamond (2020)
On 22 February 2019, Ocean Alley released "Stained Glass", the first single from the band's forthcoming third studio album. The band said "'Stained Glass' is the first song we have written since the release of Chiaroscuro and began, as most of our songs do, with a chord and vocal idea for a verse that Baden envisioned. We recorded and mixed the track at the Grove Studios over two sessions with a focus on guitar tone and interwoven guitar parts - as has always been a staple in our production."[32][33] On 28 April 2020, Ocean Alley premiered their new single "Hot Chicken" on Triple J and announced their third studio album Lonely Diamond, released on 19 June 2020.[34]
Members
- Baden Donegal – vocals, guitar
- Angus Goodwin – lead guitar
- Lachlan Galbraith – keyboard, vocals
- Mitch Galbraith – rhythm guitar
- Nic Blom – bass
- Tom O'Brien – drums
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
---|---|---|---|
AUS [35] | |||
Lost Tropics |
|
— | |
Chiaroscuro |
|
11 [36] |
|
Lonely Diamond |
|
3 [38] | — |
EPs
Title | EP details |
---|---|
Yellow Mellow |
|
In Purple |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUS [41] |
NZ Hot [42] | ||||
"Yellow Mellow" | 2013 | — | — | Yellow Mellow | |
"Space Goat"[43] | 2015 | — | — | In Purple | |
"Muddy Water"[44] | — | — | |||
"Holiday"[45] | 2016 | — | — | Lost Tropics | |
"Lemonworld"[46] | — | — | |||
"Overgrown"[47] | 2017 | — | — | Chiaroscuro | |
"The Comedown"[48] | — | — | |||
"Confidence" | 2018 | 9 | — |
| |
"Bones"[50] | — | — | |||
"Knees"[51] | — | — | |||
"Baby Come Back" (Triple J Like a Version)[52] |
91 | — | Like A Version: Volume Fourteen | ||
"Happy Sad"[53] | — | — | Chiaroscuro | ||
"Stained Glass"[54] | 2019 | — | — | Lonely Diamond | |
"Infinity"[55] | — | 17 | |||
"Tombstone"[56] | — | 29 | |||
"Hot Chicken"[57] | 2020 | — | — | ||
"Way Down"[58] | —[upper-alpha 1] | — |
Notes
- "Way Down" did not enter the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the Australian Artists Singles Chart.[59]
Awards
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry. Ocean Alley have been nominated for one award.[60][61]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | "Confidence" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
APRA Awards
The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | "Confidence" | Rock Work of the Year | Nominated |
References
- https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/the-making-of-ocean-alley-a-history-of-the-indie-psych-success-story/band
- "Ocean Alley". triple j Unearthed. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- "Confidence rising within Ocean Alley". Newcastle Herald. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- "Facing the Comedown: chatting sold-out shows, album number 2 and the after-tour blues with Ocean Alley". HHHHappy. 20 September 2017.
- "2017 Hottest 100 List". Triple J. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- "Get to know... Ocean Alley". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Things got weird when we sat down with Ocean Alley to talk album details, touring the world and fork branding". Happy Mag. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- Ocean Alley (4 February 2014), WEARY EYED - OCEAN ALLEY, retrieved 23 April 2018
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley - Bald Faced Stag, Sydney 06/09/15 - Music Feeds". Music Feeds. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Premiere: Ocean Alley keep it breezy on new single, Holiday". PILERATS. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Premiere Of Ocean Alley - 'Lemonworld'". Tone Deaf. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/northern-beaches-band-ocean-alley-open-up-on-what-has-helped-them-become-a-top-sydney-act/news-story/9ed0518c9509ac495e8ad901f0195105
- "Interview: Ocean Alley Detail Life On The Road & Their Most Memorable Fan". Life Without Andy. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Interview: Ocean Alley Chat Big Shows & Beaches Ahead Of Their National Tour". Life Without Andy. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "triple j". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Ocean Alley". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Feature Album: Ocean Alley - Chiaroscuro". triple j. words by triple j. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.CS1 maint: others (link)
- "TOUR DATES". www.oceanalley.com.au. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Hottest 100 2018". triple j. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- "Ocean Alley Release Sun-Bleached New Single STAINED GLASS". Broadway World. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- "First Spin: Ocean Alley's new song 'Stained Glass' showered the triple j app with shakas". ABC. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- Newstead, Al (28 April 2020). "Ocean Alley share 'Hot Chicken', announce new album Lonely Diamond". ABC. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- "Discography Ocean Alley". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- "ARIA Australian Artist Chart". 19 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- "Yellow Mellow – EP by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- "In Purple – EP by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- Peak chart positions in Australia:
- For "Confidence": "ARIA Chart Watch #510". auspOp. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
- For "Infinity": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- For "Tombstone": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- "Space Goat – Ocean Alley". Bandcamp. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- Likoski, Steve (20 August 2015). "New single: Muddy Water by Ocean Alley". Eat This Music. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
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- "Overgrown – Single by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- "The Comedown – Single by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". Australia Recording Industry Association. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
- Newstead, Al (6 March 2018). "First Spin: Ocean Alley preview new album with 'Bones'". ABC. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- "Ocean Alley". Unified Music Group. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- "Baby Come Back (triple j Like a Version) – Single by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- Frometa, RJ (21 August 2018). "Ocean Alley release new single 'Happy Sad'". Vents Magazine. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- "Stained Glass – Single by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- "Infinity – Single by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- "Tombstone – Single by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
- "Hot Chicken – Single by Ocean Alley on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- "Sydney psych rock band Ocean Alley have dropped their new single "Way Down"". Facebook. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- "ARIA Australian Artist Singles Chart w/c 29 June 2020" (PDF). ARIA. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.