Sailing on a queasy sea with The Ocean Greys

Whether it's music, visual art or writing, the only thing harder than making art is finding an audience for it, especially if you are going about it independently. I've fired many a shot in the dark, hoping I'd hit an avid reader's eyeballs and get a positive response. Despite the best intentions, the response rate is often low, at least at first.

Though I don't work in direct response advertising, I do know that a .5% to-2% response is considered a success. All that junk mail you get? Someone bothers to read it and logs on to buy. With that kind of response rate it means for every hundred people you query, or share the link to your music, you can expect two to four to check out your work or read your book. At least that's how the theory goes.

I'm often hit up with requests to check out music. I usually do. And I always listen with an open mind, the way I'd want someone to read my writing. Besides, you just never know what you'll find.

Pete Pagonis of The Ocean Greys was kind enough to reach out and share his music today. He sent a YouTube link to one of their videos but for some reason I went straight to their Twitter profile and clicked on their Bandcamp to hear the whole EP.

The story behind this project is pretty fascinating. After a seven year absence form making music, Pagonis found his way back, during the pandemic of all times, and was inspired enough to create.

Speaking about the self-titled e.p, Pagonis said, "I played all the instruments on this ep with the exception of drums on the song "Something's Coming Round". The vocalist on the ep is Carlee Jackson. Who I found by placing an ad on Craigslist. We did everything via the internet, including me being on the phone while she recorded the vocals. I'm lucky to have found her."

The sound and vocals are reminiscent of PJ Harvey, and Low. It's definitely moody and in parts unnerving but in the best possible way. The downcast soundtrack for these pandemic times.

My favorite song on the e.p. is "Something's Coming Round." The song builds and swells to an ominous scope. Perhaps it's the drumming, but I also detect a jazzy undercurrent. "Calling out" is kind of a seasick waltz.  "Don't you know," is the most aggressive of the lot.

If there's a theme to this album it's in this persistent feeling of dread. The album's closer "Holding on to Moments," reinforces this point in its last stanza.

Now you find, story plays out as it’s penned

Missing piece, puzzle sat in front of you

You guide down, a road you thought you once knew

So move on, it’s not the same this is true.

The video to "Something's Coming Round" is delightfully trippy, too. I hope we'll hear more from The Ocean Greys.