Minneapolis-based progressive pop rock band The Light in the Ocean have never been one to tread water creatively. With their latest album, Deep Reef Dream, the group ventures into new territories, blending together atmospheric and experimental sounds. Described as their most daring work yet, the album showcases a rich combination of their layered instrumental landscapes and complex arrangements. Speaking with the band, it’s clear how the album’s unique identity emerged from a confluence of talent, collaboration, and the challenges of recent years.
The addition of bassist Chris Lyons and violinist Stephen Decker was a pivotal turning point for the band. Lyons’ powerful bass tones and Decker’s soulful, melodic violin formed the perfect complement to the existing dynamic of founding members Jared and Jacob. “Stephen’s violin was featured on our previous two studio recordings, so it made sense to bring him fully into the fold,” the band shares. “Chris was already part of a previous project with Jared and Jacob, so the connection was natural.” The creative synergy of these four musicians became the driving force behind Deep Reef Dream.
The pandemic brought its own challenges, but surprisingly, it wasn’t COVID-19 that disrupted the band’s progress most significantly. “Strangely enough, the riots in Minneapolis were more disruptive to us than COVID,” they reflect. Following the George Floyd protests, the band had to temporarily relocate their gear from their usual studio space and adapt to rehearsing at Lyons’ house. Despite the upheaval, the band leaned into their creative process, jamming, experimenting, and honing their sound into something distinct yet aligned with their earlier efforts.
A hallmark of Deep Reef Dream is its lush instrumentation, incorporating horns, violin, synths, and electronic layers. “It gave us a wider palette of tones to draw from and more tools to use,” the band explains. Inspired by artists like Boards of Canada, Yes, The Dear Hunter, and Steven Wilson, they set out to blend modern production techniques with vintage sounds. The result is a sound that is expansive and immersive, showcasing their progressive roots embraced with fresh influences.
The band’s versatility also extends to their live performances, where they frequently switch instruments. “It opens doors for us to play whatever instrument most speaks to us on a given song,” they say. “For live shows, we group songs with the same instrumentation into mini-sets to preserve momentum and prevent audience fatigue.” Their ability to adapt not only shapes their sound but also adds an element of surprise to their performances.
Balancing pop sensibilities with complex progressive elements is no easy feat, but The Light in the Ocean approach it with an adventurous spirit. “We listen to a lot of different kinds of music, so we throw ideas at each other and see what sticks,” they reveal. Whether it’s crafting a song around a single pre-conceived idea or improvising during jam sessions, their process is one of experimentation and refinement. “Most importantly, we practice and practice and focus on what we want to say, cutting out the fat and getting to the point.”
The band’s genre-fluid nature and dynamic shifts in time signatures are complemented by their emphasis on vocal harmonies. Interestingly, their intricate instrumentation often evolves to support the vocals rather than the other way around. “We’ve been doing this for a bit, so we’ve got a little wisdom,” they note with a touch of humor. “One of the key things we understand is to stay out of the way—a little goes a long way.”
Hailing from the vibrant Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene, The Light in the Ocean credit their hometown’s eclectic landscape for shaping their identity. From art rock to death metal, the scene’s diversity has inspired the band to modify and rearrange their songs to fit various settings. “Live, this allows us to present a different perspective on our songs, enhancing certain parts with different instrumentation and arrangements.”
Yet, the riots and the loss of beloved venues like the Hexagon Bar during the George Floyd protests left a lasting impact on the band. The challenges they faced, however, only strengthened their resolve and connection to their community.
The inclusion of The Light in the Ocean’s music on Progotronics 47 cements their place within the broader progressive music community. “We’ve always felt at home in the prog community,” they reflect. “Your readers are forward thinkers, hungry for new and exciting music, and that’s exactly who we are as people.”
Looking ahead, the band is already hard at work on a new album slated for release in 2025. “Our new stuff is even more refined, with focused songwriting, tighter vocal hooks, and a wider scope in terms of genre,” they share enthusiastically. Fans can expect a blend of stronger folk influences, new electronic elements, and the same adventurous spirit that defines their work.
With plans for live shows, unique arrangements, and potential out-of-state gigs, The Light in the Ocean are poised to make even bigger waves. As they put it: “We just like playing music for music’s sake. The instruments we’ve chosen to play drew us in for a reason, and we really like playing them. We prefer this over most things in life, and we’re kind of nerdy about it.”
With Deep Reef Dream, The Light in the Ocean prove that their progressive journey is far from over. Through their music, live performances, and upcoming projects, they consistently break new ground, inviting listeners to dive deep into their boundless creativity.
Deep Reef Dream is available from Bandcamp here. Like The Light in the Ocean on Facebook.
