INTERVIEW: Coast And Ocean Wants To Inspire “Peace And Love” Through His Music

Coast & Ocean. Photo supplied.

NSW singer/songwriter Coast & Ocean has been busy releasing a string of singles this year. He’s just dropped his newest track, Valentino, a song about being stuck in a love triangle. Coast weaves his way between sung and rapped vocals, and it’s the kind of fun, breezy tune he’s known for delivering. He spits and sings over light guitars and xylophones - and it’s hard not to fall in love with his charm.

I spoke to Coast & Ocean about the release of Valentino, and the story behind the track. He also told me about his views on life, being able to chat to fans through social media, and what living out of a suitcase is really like.

Ben Madden: Firstly, can you introduce yourself and your music?
Coast & Ocean: Hi, I’m Coast & Ocean a street artist that’s worked all around the globe. I write music in all different styles - folk, hip-hop, new-wave, rnb and indie. I like to roam and play my guitar!

With touring off the table for much of 2020, how have you been channelling your creative energy?
I’ve been using this time to reflect on the past - good and bad experiences while living on the road. I’ve been putting that into my art and I feel blessed to be where I am now. 

The story behind Valentino was inspired by your real-life experiences – do you find you write best when you’re drawing from your own life, and how do you feel about putting your experiences out there for the world?
Valentino takes me back to 2017 when I was in Amsterdam playing Surfana festival. Chilling, having a day off, by the river with my friend in Amsterdam drinking wine and having lunch. Smoking with her, watching swans, talking about high fashion sneakers. These moments makes me happy, and putting that into my music helps it touch people. Shout out Linda and the Surfana team, Summer Amsterdam 2017 shout out! 

I feel you very much embody the Australian image of being laid back and going with the flow – is this how you’ve always been, or has that grown as you’ve embraced music more and more?
I’ve been living from my suitcase since 2015, and every year has been getting easier to have places to stay, friends to hit up for catch ups & emotional support, studios spaces, spots to play on the streets. I’m very grateful I live this life and I feel embracing it does make me more laid back for sure.

I’ve still got problems with my anxiety and ego and old habitual ways that I’m breaking down to be a better person. It’s a good life when you are happy in who you are, being present in the moment, and being grateful for what you do have, I feel about 7/10 laid back right now. 

Your social channels are ever-growing – how important is it to you to be able to connect with your fans via social media, and has that helped throughout this year?
Back when I was doing videos on YouTube in 2015, I did 52 originals in 52 weeks. I was posting as consistenly as possible while being on tour. Fast forward to now, I’m working with people I’ve always wanted to work with! People I used to listen to as a kid, and linking up, absolutely has helped a lot! 

Will you be sending Valentino to the person it’s about/have they already heard it, and if so, what did they think?
I don’t think so, I hope she likes it though. Shout out Alice Hills.

What do you think the most important lesson from 2020 will be, for both you and society as a whole?
Peace and love!!! Embrace yourself more then tearing down others. The system’s gotta meet us in the streets and see for themselves how broken many of us are. Love sets you free. System’s gotta be more loving to those in need. You can be black or white, rich or poor. We all need love and our past, present and futures acknowledged, preserved and loved. 

Finally, looking forward to this time in 12 months – where do you hope to be, and what do you want to be doing?
I’m gonna be putting out my mixtape Doobies World  and I want to be visiting more farms, beaches and houses. Cruising in my van. Pulling up to Airbnbs making more music with some of my best friends and enjoying sea views and good food! That’s all I want to do. Travel. Eat. Pray. Love.

Coast & Ocean