EMI-signed band, Lostocean claims Bakersfield music scene real estate - By N.L. Belardes

Meet the boys of Lostocean...



EMI-signed Bakersfield band Lostocean is literally building its music empire block by block. They started performing live at Fresno City College some time around January of 2005. It was a freezing gig in a quad area with the audience sitting by small fires—except for the band, who got wet and cold in a typical misty Tule day in the Central Valley. “It was freezing. My drum kit was soaked. There were all these people watching by their little fires and we just got wet,” said Christopher Short.

Yet the building blocks continued.

A few shows later Lostocean was in downtown Bakersfield performing at Gigantic Vintage. It was one of my first shows in the Bakersfield scene. I watched the band from among clothing and belt racks and snapped a few pictures. Paperback Writer has evolved since then, with thousands of readers a day, instead of fifty. Lost Ocean has evolved too. This fab four, with Beatle-esque hairdos to match, have grown into a much tighter band than ever before. “I had to learn to perform and record with a click track,” said Short. He made a few grimaces, reminiscing that although he quickly realized he could adjust to a click track, he had still never done it before. “We realize we’re just babies at this,” he said. Sure, Lostocean are new to the world of being a signed band who has to work hard to promote, to book shows, and how to sell merchandise; but their music has grown too. Although they still play a rocky blend of emotional sounds ala Coldplay’s keyboard heavy atmospheric tones, their music is less experimental and ambient than the effect-laden album, Douse the Choir. Their new sound is tighter, smarter, more rounded, more youthful, and now radio friendly—a big step for a signed band who wants to be successful in today’s big label market.







And they’re making waves too. On myspace they average more than 150 song plays a day. That means people aren’t just clicking to add. They want to listen.

I’ve written about Lostocean’s virtuoso keyboardist, Skyler Johnson—he may look a little disheveled in his torn jeans and floppy hair, as if he just stepped from Humboldt State study room. But he’s a musical genius with his dual keyboard strokes and techno ambient sounds that he brings to many of Lostocean’s guitar and keyboard-driven songs. He brings rich musical talent to a band that has the appeal for today’s trendy young listener of music with a heartthrob. And I don’t mean Radio Disney necessarily. I mean music that can reach a segment of youth not looking for hard metal or punk edges to their music…





Recently I found out more about Lostocean. Sure, these four wonderboys have a tough road ahead, and they’re not buying houses anytime soon. What they do have is an E.P. on the way titled “Night to Life” (coming August 15): recorded in Nashville. You can hear two freshly mastered songs from the E.P. on the Lostocean myspace site: “Just Glide” and “You Are”.

I talked to drummer Christopher Short and vocalist Jeff Gray about their new untitled album that’s coming out in January. They said they’re getting national distribution in Best Buys across America and possible in Barnes and Noble. Who knows, maybe a few more distribution deals will come along soon.











And Lostocean are touring too. These four Bakersfield rockers are no slouches. They’ve gone from recording and releasing the full length album, Douse the Choir, then got their recording contract with EMI, have finished up their E.P. and album (not sure if they’re done recording). “We’re also hitting some music festivals and are really excited about that,” said Christopher Short.

I was at downtown’s new Christian rock venue, 180 to see Lostocean perform with Until April and another local Christian rock band. Talk about a nice venue. The soda prices were steep, but made up the difference with crushed ice, my favorite. The venue was really hip and cool. Those of you who have braved the decadence of the Pizza-a-go-go will understand the difference in quality and attendees. I don’t need to explain the difference in scene crowds.


Dirty Spanglish and matildakay were on-hand to see Lostocean



I liked the new look and sounds for Lostocean. So did the youth at the 180… youth are always hungry for new sounds and musicians they can connect to without getting sucked into the darker and angrier emotions of rock and roll. And that’s not a bad thing; just some folks preference.

(Read my first piece on Lost Ocean Feb 2005)
(the dream of Lostocean)
(Douse the choir poem)
(Skyler speaks out)
(support this site: buy my book)
(add Paperback Writer on Myspace)

This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on Tuesday, July 18, 2006. You can leave your response.