OCEAN BY JULY

The Missouri based quartet Ocean By July formed in 2006 when Austin Williams (vox/guitars), Evan Holley (lead guitar), and Erik Kester (drums) joined together to express their unyielding passion for music through their collective creative imaginations. Combining aspects of pop and pop/punk acts such as Hit The Lights and American Hi-Fi respectively, the group began writing songs that featured a unique fusion of coastal pop dynamics with the grittiness of the Midwest, allowing them to transgress the boundaries of both sub-genres.

After adding long-time pal Curt Hardin (bass) in 2009, the band became complete and began performing shows throughout the St. Louis area and garnered a loyal and dedicated fan base due to their always entertaining, humorous, and audience involved shows. They quickly started selling out various venues throughout the Midwest territory, and with such positive reactions from listeners and a heap of buzz about the group's talent, the band headed to the studio to begin writing and recording songs for their highly anticipated upcoming debut EP (self-titled), (slated for release on August 31).

The EP, which was recorded and mixed by acclaimed producer Kevin Gates (Never Shout Never, The Ready Set, Breathe Electric, Cady Groves, etc.) is a culmination of the band’s conjoined personalities, experiences, and ever-growing ambitions. The record vastly extends far beyond the typical limitations of a band’s first EP, featuring catchy hooks, mesmerizing riffs, heartfelt lyrics, haunting vocals and intricate drumming, making the album near impossible to put down.

As Holley has said, “There’s a certain ‘Bigness’ to do what we’re doing. We feel like we’re progressing our genre to new heights and creating something that everyone can enjoy.” Certainly the fun loving and always lovable group is acclimating the momentum to become a major phenom amongst the latest rock bands to emerge, but the singular aspect that sets them apart is the “bigness” about their innovative revival of classic pop/punk with bits of pop rock scattered throughout. This can be seen most prominently in their first single, "Never Let Go", an anthemic sing-along, dance friendly feel-good track that wholly demonstrates the copious range of dynamics the full band possesses; from their sheer musical talent to awe inspiring lyricism.

With the release of Ocean By July's debut EP, the influence of the band’s music will be felt from coast to coast and by July every state in between will appreciate the striking validity of their musicianship.