Australia's Ocean Alley discusses their fifth album, 'Love Balloon,' a lively record infused with positivity, collaboration, and various interpretations of love—from the exhilarating freedom of youth to nature's tranquility—while also reflecting on their journey as a six-member band and the excitement of playing at festivals like Lollapalooza.
Stream: “Left of the Dealer” – Ocean Alley
Ocean Alley thrives on positivity, which fuels their creativity. As the band prepares to unveil their fifth studio album, they aim to create an uplifting atmosphere. After all, optimism spreads easily, much like Ocean Alley’s captivating genuineness. Since their formation in 2011, the six-member group has released several records, but 'Love Balloon' (set for release on September 19th) feels distinct. Ocean Alley has continued to grow as a collective since their last release, 'Low Altitude Living' in 2022, and their commitment to their art is evident. Rich in collaboration, creativity, and good vibes, 'Love Balloon' might just be their finest work to date—or at the very least, the one they are proudest of.
For the band from Australia—comprising Baden Donegal, Angus Goodwin, Lach Galbraith, Mitch Galbraith, Nic Blom, and Tom O’Brien—the things they cherish bring them joy. This sentiment is evident in their passionate, sincere lyrics—whether focusing on a person in the title track “Love Balloon” or celebrating the beauty of their surroundings in “Tangerine.” This album emphasizes valuing what you have, serving as a potent reminder to stay positive in a frequently difficult world.
New music and live performances go hand in hand—an idea that excites not only their fans but also energizes Ocean Alley. While on tour, they have been performing their three recent singles for audiences, including the lively crowd at Chicago’s Lollapalooza ‘25. During their aftershow, the band even treated fans to a preview of an unreleased track from the album called “Drenched.”
Atwood Magazine recently spoke with Ocean Alley’s guitarists Angus Goodwin and Mitch Galbraith, along with drummer Tom Galbraith, to explore their current music and artistic approach. Read our interview below as they share their experiences creating 'Love Balloon,' their songwriting process, and their feelings about performing at music festivals worldwide.
Ocean Alley’s 'Love Balloon' will be released on September 19th through Community Music.
— —
:: stream/purchase Love Balloon here ::
:: connect with Ocean Alley here ::
— —
Ocean Alley © Kane Lehanneur
A CONVERSATION WITH OCEAN ALLEY
Atwood Magazine: Your latest single, “Love Balloon,” depicts a transcendent kind of love. What inspired the idea of a love balloon? How does this analogy effectively portray the love in the song?
Ocean Alley: The phrase “Love Balloon” was created by Baden. The imagery of a hot air balloon is quite cool and conveys positivity.
Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?
Ocean Alley: No, we haven’t.
How do you think the excitement of a hot air balloon relates to the thrill of love?
Ocean Alley: It’s about being uplifted— it conveys positive imagery. Floating peacefully in the sky, you can draw parallels to love.
Since “Love Balloon” is the title track of your upcoming album, does the album focus on love?
Ocean Alley: There are certainly songs about love on the album, but overall, we aimed to create an uplifting vibe that feels good. It felt right for us at the time. While it's not entirely centered on love, there are elements of it.
"Tangerine," the first single from the LP, celebrates nature, illustrating a retreat from life’s stresses. Where do you escape amid chaos?
Ocean Alley: I escape to the beach with my two dogs and my partner. We spend a lot of time near the beach, which we consider our happy place—whether it’s fishing or surfing.
Given that “Tangerine” embraces nature, would you say this album extends beyond romantic love? Why is it important to explore different aspects of love in your music?
Ocean Alley: We embraced a variety of things that bring us joy, regardless of the source, such as being outdoors, nature, or people. We wanted to focus on what makes us feel good and write about those experiences.
The second single, “Left of the Dealer,” captures youthful recklessness. What were some of the biggest risks you took when you were younger? Do risks tend to yield rewards?
Ocean Alley: Everyone does foolish things in their youth or takes risks that they might avoid later. There is always that risk-reward aspect, which we’ve experienced with the band. When we formed, we took the risk of diving in completely, and it has paid off. Writing "Left of the Dealer" was a great deal of fun, and performing it is equally enjoyable.
The
It would require a very unfeeling heart not to feel energized by this.
Birmingham’s rap scene has consistently flourished on uniqueness, and Wohdee is rapidly becoming one of its most recognizable fresh talents. Renowned for her keen
Hannah Grace and Gabrielle Aplin's "Why Can’t I Cry About It?" offers a heartfelt reflection on the contradiction of unexpressed feelings, delivered through two voices that blend in a unique and luminous harmony.
The Australian duo Hockey Dad has announced their upcoming EP titled 'The Clip'. Their 2024 album 'Rebuild Repeat' received extensive praise and marked a significant breakthrough for the band.
The Black Country band Chartreuse exhibited a great deal of potential with their innovative take on indie rock in their 2023 debut album 'Morning Ritual'. The
Vancouver singer-songwriter Luca Fogale reveals his innermost feelings in “For,” a heartfelt, mantra-like ballad that explores themes of love, time, and devotion. This song resonates with the essence of humanity, infusing soul-stirring indie folk into the atmosphere while striving for a higher purpose beyond oneself.
Australia’s Ocean Alley shares insights about their fifth album ‘Love Balloon,’ a lively record filled with positivity, teamwork, and diverse expressions of love – ranging from the thrilling spontaneity of youth to the calming essence of nature – while also contemplating their experience as a six-member band and the excitement of performing at festivals like Lollapalooza.