SPOTLIGHT: Smoking Ocean

NEW SINGLE: Count Me Out: OUT NOW

Who is ‘ Smoking Ocean’

Smoking Ocean is a rock band from London consisting of Luca Rigo (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Aaron Dixon (lead guitar/backing vocals), Liam Bagnall (bass/backing vocals) and Mat Desgurse (drums).

For someone that is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?

We are alternative indie rock band with a streak of funky and bluesy edge. We create songs to sing along to, with raw, powerful riffs and sweet melodies to bring emotion.

What inspires you as a Artiest?

The adrenaline of performing and creating music. It’s a wonderful feeling to hear the sound of our band performing together and evoking a feeling from our audiences that we can all share together.

What Is Yor Pre-Show Routine? Whose the one with all the Diva demands ?

We’ll usually warm up the vocal chords and have a pint to loosen up. Luca is very particular about sound, so we will spend time to get the sound he’s after. Liam usually asks for a bowl of M&Ms but only with the brown ones. No venue we have played has ever fulfilled his request.

Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?

Our music is the fine line between heavier music and the softer indie style. It would suit everyone from a classic rock fan to an Oasis or Arctic Monkeys fan.

What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?

We love all styles of rock music but we all tend to listen to a wide variety of different genres. We’ll have our favourites, but there isn’t a particular genre that every person in the band dislikes.

What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?

Is there a story behind you’re the new single 'Count Me Out,’ ?

We were in a social setting engaging with an obnoxious individual and were trying to ride the conversation with them out. Luca came up with some lyrics centered around that conversation which fitted well with a bluesy idea that Aaron had.

What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist is ?

We basically fit each other like a glove and compliment each other’s playing styles. There is no ego in this band and we always work well together when it comes to writing music, discussing the directions we want to take the band in, and most importantly hanging out. It’s like a machine where the parts are constantly working perfectly well together. We have amazing chemistry.

What would you say is your greatest weakness an artist?

None of us are great jazz players, although our bassist Liam is happy to give his rendition of Whiplash on the drums.

What can fans expect from your new single ‘Count Me Out,’?

It’s a progression and a change from the sound of our previous releases, almost like
an arena rock sound. That being said, it’s a song you can sing and dance along to
and we think our fans will be pleased.

What music artist/band would you say have influenced your work?

A very wide variety, but to name a few we would have to say Queens Of The Stone Age, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, The Beatles, Blink 182, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Royal Blood, The Doors.

Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?

Fontaines DC and Wunderhorse.

What was your worst performance?

We had a show in East London last year in which we had a lot of technical issues on stage, like monitors cutting out, where couldn’t hear each other or ourselves so there was a lot of guess work and being on our toes. We soldiered through it and did fine, but we certainly felt it affected our performance as we couldn’t get into it properly.

What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced and how did you overcome it ?

After our founding bassist left to pursue other ventures, we were in a difficult position. We had to audition several musicians until Liam and Aaron joined the fold.

What is your creative process when making music?

One of us usually brings an idea such as a riff or chord progression in, and then we piece the rest of the music from there. Someone might have another idea that works well with it or a vocal melody. In many cases, Luca will already have a whole track and so we build up the instrumentation around his track.

What are your top ten desert Island tracks ?