Storytelling through music is one of my highest priorities when writing my tracks. Personally, I could write a million words and it still wouldn’t even scratch the surface of what I can otherwise communicate through my songs. Rather than standalone songs for an album, I decided to approach my contributions to The Outlaw Ocean Music Project as more of a cinematic soundtrack that captured the essence of the world Ian shows, appealing to all of the senses. I was intentional in the audio samples I selected, such as crashing waves or sounds of clockwork, and the tones I sought to elevate in both songs. I wanted to create vivid soundscapes in which people can smell an approaching storm and feel the oncoming terror — as with “Boundless Ocean” — or experience the claustrophobia that shifts to wonder as you delve deeper into the sea while listening to “Nautilus.” 

Ian addresses some serious issues, and I knew that anything I made should have just as much weight to it. This project was an entirely new experience for me, and I really enjoyed having the opportunity to score music for evocative stories. 

Joey Fehrenbach