Zac Denton of the Ocean Party Passes Away

I’m generally a man of few emotions, but news of the passing of Zac Denton is hitting me pretty hard. I released one LP from the Ocean Party on my label, mostly due to the fact that I kept in close contact via the Internet with the band. Since those days, they’ve pulled out several other releases, all excellent. I was fortunate to host the group on their US tour, and I spent a few days trying to get the band accustomed to Texas. I remember Zac as this giant of a man, with an even bigger smile; he worked the stage like an aged veteran, he was just this gentle giant happy to be playing music with his friends. It’s strange how chance encounters leave lasting impressions, and I’m sure everyone whose spent time with the Ocean Party feels the same great loss. My thoughts are with his brother Lachlan, the band and his family.

In honor of Zac, the group have released their new LP The Oddfellow’s Hall a few days ahead of its release; you can stream it below.

And Yet Another New Track from the Ocean Party

There’s a rule here at ATH, apparently. If the Ocean Party want to share a new song, we’re going to share it. It’s honestly one of my favorite groups, period. The diversity in songwriting alone makes the band like a hydra of pop sensibility. This new turn has this sense of longing, particularly in the way the vocal notes curl at the end. Musically, it’s steady and solemn, with slide guitar shooting off through the track’s distance. Plus, the last 40 seconds are definitely a nice extra musical bonus for listeners. The Oddfellows Hall will be out November 9th via Spunk/Emotional Response.