Music
Press
"More than likely a fish out of tropical waters in his native Thunder Bay, K. Preston Merkley makes sparklingly, HI-NRG M83-style synth-pop with wall of sound production" - NXNE
"The combination of the bass lines with the techno and pop melodies create supreme dancefloor fodders and the clipped, sharp vocals undoubtedly steal the show. In a time when bands of this genre sometimes sound cold and sterile, it is encouraging to hear that one man's creating such thought-provoking synthpop music. " - Did Y'all Hear That?
"When I say one-man band I truly mean it: Ocean City Defender creates lush synth-pop songs on stage to give a full, complex sound rather than a simple one-instrument experience." - The Argus Magazine
"When I say one-man band I truly mean it: Ocean City Defender creates lush synth-pop songs on stage to give a full, complex sound rather than a simple one-instrument experience." - The Argus Magazine
"When I say one-man band I truly mean it: Ocean City Defender creates lush synth-pop songs on stage to give a full, complex sound rather than a simple one-instrument experience." - The Argus Magazine
"When I say one-man band I truly mean it: Ocean City Defender creates lush synth-pop songs on stage to give a full, complex sound rather than a simple one-instrument experience." - The Argus Magazine
"Somehow this dude figured out a way to make himself sound like a full band. I'm serious, vocals, guitar, drums, the whole nine yards. And he somehow performs it all live too." - Anticipation Music
"Somehow this dude figured out a way to make himself sound like a full band. I'm serious, vocals, guitar, drums, the whole nine yards. And he somehow performs it all live too." - Anticipation Music
"...exclusive interview with the intriguing electronic solo artist K. Preston Merkly, an Ontario native who creates emotionally charged synth pop/indie rock soundscapes under the moniker Ocean City Defender." - Independent Music Promotions
"...exclusive interview with the intriguing electronic solo artist K. Preston Merkly, an Ontario native who creates emotionally charged synth pop/indie rock soundscapes under the moniker Ocean City Defender." - Independent Music Promotions
"The stand out track for me on the EP is the title track 'The Golden Hour,' everything just seems to fit perfectly from the Bass, to the the dreamy synths to the drums." - This is Tha Future
"The stand out track for me on the EP is the title track 'The Golden Hour,' everything just seems to fit perfectly from the Bass, to the the dreamy synths to the drums." - This is Tha Future
Full interview at: http://cardinalplaylists.com/2012/02/17/interview-with-ocean-city-defender/ - Cardinal Playlists
Full interview at: http://cardinalplaylists.com/2012/02/17/interview-with-ocean-city-defender/ - Cardinal Playlists
"The mellow waves flow like Simple Minds, New Order (but smoother), Yaz, etc." - BerkeleyPlaceBlog.com
"...OCEAN CITY DEFENDER. Sounds like a group but he is a solo artist. He has one of the raddest track we’ve heard in a while..." - Hypster Cult
"This EP is the stuff of dreams, and dream dates. K. Preston Merkley (the sole Defender) has self-recorded and self-released a set of five magical electro-pop songs. The sound is clean and bright with delicately layered synths and fuzzy guitars... If you like M83, you should meet his soft-spoken best friend. You will fall in love." - The Walleye
"This EP is the stuff of dreams, and dream dates. K. Preston Merkley (the sole Defender) has self-recorded and self-released a set of five magical electro-pop songs. The sound is clean and bright with delicately layered synths and fuzzy guitars... If you like M83, you should meet his soft-spoken best friend. You will fall in love." - The Walleye
"Whoa!! What a nice surprise to start the new year. The debut EP from Ocean City Defender has had me hitting repeat for most of the day. The Golden Hour is available as a "name your price" download through the bands bandcamp page So gooooood!!!" - The Music Snob Militia
"Whoa!! What a nice surprise to start the new year. The debut EP from Ocean City Defender has had me hitting repeat for most of the day. The Golden Hour is available as a "name your price" download through the bands bandcamp page So gooooood!!!" - The Music Snob Militia
PAGE 18:
"Local musician creates lush synthpop songs..." - The Walleye
"2012 is the proposed year that independent Canadian music will take over the e-frontlines and, today, we have another strong candidate for that theory in the form of Thunder Bay's Ocean City Defender --- who may also be a hardcore Atari 2600 fan judging by the sound of it.
You don't have to dig very deep in his material to hear the wide range of 80's post-punk influences that play out vicariously through a more modern love for warm and dreamy synth-pop. Using a steady wall of lush instrumentals and hazy vocals, OCD's K. Preston Merkley makes a habit of breaking the pattern you might expect a solo performer to find sanctuary in.
His debut EP The Golden Hours was just self-released yesterday as a pay-what-you-can digital download on bandcamp. Stream the album down below and then hop on over there to snag this one up quick." - BIRP.fm
"2012 is the proposed year that independent Canadian music will take over the e-frontlines and, today, we have another strong candidate for that theory in the form of Thunder Bay's Ocean City Defender --- who may also be a hardcore Atari 2600 fan judging by the sound of it.
You don't have to dig very deep in his material to hear the wide range of 80's post-punk influences that play out vicariously through a more modern love for warm and dreamy synth-pop. Using a steady wall of lush instrumentals and hazy vocals, OCD's K. Preston Merkley makes a habit of breaking the pattern you might expect a solo performer to find sanctuary in.
His debut EP The Golden Hours was just self-released yesterday as a pay-what-you-can digital download on bandcamp. Stream the album down below and then hop on over there to snag this one up quick." - BIRP.fm
"2012 is the proposed year that independent Canadian music will take over the e-frontlines and, today, we have another strong candidate for that theory in the form of Thunder Bay's Ocean City Defender --- who may also be a hardcore Atari 2600 fan judging by the sound of it.
You don't have to dig very deep in his material to hear the wide range of 80's post-punk influences that play out vicariously through a more modern love for warm and dreamy synth-pop. Using a steady wall of lush instrumentals and hazy vocals, OCD's K. Preston Merkley makes a habit of breaking the pattern you might expect a solo performer to find sanctuary in.
His debut EP The Golden Hours was just self-released yesterday as a pay-what-you-can digital download on bandcamp. Stream the album down below and then hop on over there to snag this one up quick." - BIRP.fm
"Ontario-based multi-instrumentalist K. Preston Merkley has just released his debut EP ‘Golden Hour’ under the moniker Ocean City Defender. For the electro-pop tune ‘Movement’, Ocean City Defender channels 80s legends New Order and Tears For Fears. Grab the ‘Golden Hour’ EP here." - Sounds Better With Reverb
"Ontario-based multi-instrumentalist K. Preston Merkley has just released his debut EP ‘Golden Hour’ under the moniker Ocean City Defender. For the electro-pop tune ‘Movement’, Ocean City Defender channels 80s legends New Order and Tears For Fears. Grab the ‘Golden Hour’ EP here." - Sounds Better With Reverb
"I could write a whole paragraph about how the Ontario-based musician K. Preston Merkley (going by Ocean City Defender) creates warm shoegaze synthpop that makes you want to lay on a hill in the sun and stare into the clouds. Or how the fuzzy melodies just tend to make you feel good inside. I could draw comparisons to some of M83's latest songs off Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming and how they both share that same hazy yet upbeat sound. But instead, I’ll just say this: listen to “The Golden Hour” off The Golden Hour EP. It’s just pretty terrific all around.
You can stream or download the whole EP on his Bandcamp, and of course keep up with updates on his Facebook, Twitter, and official website. As of now, he’s only touring in Ontario, but let’s hope that changes soon. - Mistaken For Strangers
"The Golden Hour has set the bar very high for electro-pop in 2012. This is essential listening for anyone with ears and a heartbeat." - Voyage North (CBC Radio One) - CBC
"…Ocean City Defender actually sounds unique when contrasted with a large majority of Thunder Bay’s bands. I was impressed by the dynamics of their set. At times the songs were brought to very humble, raw sounds only to segue into reverb-soaked guitar and crashing cymbals." - Northern Rocks Magazine
"The mix of shoegazing moodiness, clipped rhythms, and deep textures that makes Pinback such an intoxicant appears in similar form in Ocean City Defender and K. Preston Merkley’s lulling tracks. Merkley’s main amendment is an earnest vocal sense: his nerd-rock tenor is more than just another instrument." - CNet.com
"Uber talented electronic musician creating the sounds of entire bands and incorporating live instrumentation in the mix." - Definitely Superior Art Gallery
Discography
The Golden Hour EP (2012)
Star Tropics (Planned Q1 2013)
Untitled LP 1 (Planned Q4 2013)
Photos
Bio
Ocean City Defender is the performing name of Ontario-based multi-instrumentalist K. Preston Merkley. Far from the typical sounds of a solo-performer, Ocean City Defender creates lush synthpop songs both on stage and record. Merkley's on stage performance is augmented by the use of video projections, creating a visual momentum to match the pace and intensity of his music.
Ocean City Defender's debut EP, The Golden Hour, was released in 2012 to largely positive reviews. Driven by strong vocal melodies, warm synthesizers, hazy guitars, and the steady pulse of drum machines, the collection of 5 songs was called "essential listening" by CBC radio one. Since its release, music from the EP has been featured on TV, in independent films, and Canada-wide on campus radio.
Comparisons and influences to Ocean City Defender can be found in bands like New Order, Tears for Fears, M83, and Phoenix.
In late-2012, Ocean City Defender signed with Opus Label Publishing for additional licensing and distribution opportunities.
Ocean City Defender has showcased at NXNE, toured Ontario, and provided support for fellow Canadian acts such as The Acorn, Wintersleep, The Most Serene Republic, and Ohbijou.
2013 will see the release of Ocean City Defender's Star Tropics EP, a planned LP, and additional festival performances including Canadian Music Week in late-March.
Links
