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Bako Band Breakout
Topics: Lost Ocean, NL Belardes, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, 2007, CMG, EMI, christian, music, Jeff Gray, Skyler Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Bret Black, blog
Posted by Bakontributor Thu Jul 12, 2007 17:03:40 PDT
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0 responses 1 comment Bako Band Breakout
Lost Ocean gets discovered by the majors, holding onto its indie identity


By thenovelist, Bakotopia.com contributor

In just two short years, Lost Ocean has gone from a group of kids with messy hair jamming at a downtown Bakersfield vintage clothing store to professional rocksters with a look and feel attributed to bands on the verge of rock stardom.


(Lost Ocean grazes)

Lost Ocean's e.p. “Night To Life” came out late last year. Their breakout self-titled album, “Lost Ocean” hit stores in early 2007, selling at Borders, Barnes & Noble and more. Yet it's only just now Bakersfield has begun to take notice of Lost Ocean transitioning from Bakersfield alt-scene band to breakout indie band on the national scene.


And they are on their way. Lost Ocean even recorded their new album in a Nashville castle.


(Lost Ocean's new self-titled CD)

Lost Ocean - Jeff Gray - vocals / guitar, Skyler Johnson - pianos / organs, Christopher Short - drums, and Bret Black - bass / vocals - have long lost the look of a dreamy band who just wanted to make it big. With an album and five national tours already this year, they have paved a new path for Bakersfield bands, building on a trend that isn't nu-metal like Korn, but indie pop. That means the 20-something crowd might just dig their atmospheric tunes.
 
The melodic vocals of Jeff Gray coupled with Skyler Johnson's stacked double keyboards make for fuel-filled indie sounds that a lot of people find energizing, passionate… Whether that means emo to you, you will have to decide.


(Back in da' day, Lost Ocean as indie dudes, photo by NL Belardes)

In an age where most bands seem to be DIY (Do It Yourself), Lost Ocean is a rare signed band with a big name label: EMI's CMG Label Group, that includes 5 different sub-labels, including Credential Recordings, where Lost Ocean is signed. CMG is a Christian-based family of labels that although having a core base of Christian music fans, does promote heavily in secular music markets. Think Coldplay with some '80s, U2 spirituality - positive, but not preachy.


(Lost Ocean's 2007 major label flyness)

But even with the backing of a major label, the band has to beat the streets just like every other band. No, they're not on MTV or VH1 yet. The hardest part is getting the word out that Lost Ocean is on store shelves. People need to know to buy it. That means you.

I caught up with Bret Black as their tour van sputtered through Denver. He said to call him back. I did. A few days later Lost Ocean was somewhere in the mid-west.

“We would love to experiment and play other places than downtown venues in Bakersfield - a show at the Marketplace, or a movie theatre. I think there are Bakersfield fans who would like our music. We want to get people out of their comfort zone,” said Black.

Catch them next time they're in your hometown. And in the meantime, don't forget to pick up their album.

Lost Ocean official website:


*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 6, 7 - 13 - 07

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Comment From: twinkie

I love the song in that second video. Great article, N.L. I miss your music related articles. It's been a while. Well, besides the recent Dobbler interview.