Birmingham’s Oceans Ate Alaska recently released their debut album, ‘Lost Isles’, and signed to Fearless Records. We talked to them about being one of the first British bands to sign with Fearless (along with As It Is) and how people are reacting to the new material.
Your debut album, ‘Lost Isles’, was released on 23 February. How has it been received so far?
The response has been great so far, for such a short space of time the views and comments already received are literally staggering!
How was the writing and recording process for the album?
Writing Lost Isles took the best part of two years, using every bit of free time we had. The process was really fun and exciting for us as we got so stoked after each section that was completed; however, recording the album did get a little stressful! As the record was self-funded the studio hours were very limited so we were literally still recording vocals on the last day as the taxi came to pick us up to take us to the airport!
Did you feel that there was any pressure, given that it was both your debut album and your first release with Fearless Records?
Not particularly no! We love writing, listening and performing our music, so we simply did just that!
Speaking of Fearless Records, you signed with them towards the end of 2014. What prompted you to agree working with them?
We felt that Fearless Records would be the exact right push to take our album as far as possible, and we wasn’t wrong! We are genuinely honoured to be working with Fearless, and wound’t want it to be any other way!
When you signed to Fearless Records, it also emerged that you were the first British band to join their roster. How does it feel to fly the flag for British metalcore on an American label?
Our friends in As It Is were actually announced just before us and they’re from Brighton, UK! However, of course we are so proud to be representing Britain!
You also released the video for ‘Vultures and Sharks’ in January. Any particular reason for choosing that track for your latest video?
We knew as soon as we finished writing the song that it was destined to be a single. The chorus stuck with us all after every listen and the track itself is just groovy as fuck!
Last year, you completed tours with metalcore heavyweights like Chelsea Grin and The Word Alive. What’s it like touring with some household names within the metalcore scene?
It’s incredible to not only play shows every night with some of our favourite acts, but to also get to know and hang out with them on a daily basis!
What are Oceans Ate Alaska’s plans for the rest of the year?
A lot of stuff is still under wraps at the moment, however you can expect more drum play throughs, guitar play throughs and other post album material!
JESS TAGLIANI