Often described as one of Canada’s best up-and-coming acts, Hey Ocean is a young band with an extraordinary talent for blending various musical styles into a brand of infectious pop that is uniquely their own. Together, Ashleigh Ball, David Beckingham and David Vertesi have created a musical repertoire that cannot be ignored – be it on radio, television or your neighbor’s iPod, Hey Ocean will soon be everywhere.

Aside from the skillful delivery of their music, what sets Hey Ocean apart is the spirited character they bring to the stage. Three mischievous personalities combine to form a dynamic live presence that keeps concertgoers captivated and on their feet. In fact, live performance has been an integral part of what the band calls their “natural growth.”

What began as a very casual musical partnership between friends has, in less than four years, morphed into one of Canada’s most successful independent bands. In 2008, Hey Ocean unveiled It’s Easier To Be Somebody Else, a fusion of playfully funked up party-pop and thoughtful lyric-driven ballads, introduced to Canadian fans with no less than three cross-Canada tours. Aspiring to capture the power and intensity of their highly-charged live show in the recording process, the band hooked up with famed indie producer José Miguel Contreras (By Divine Right, Meligrove Band, Lily Frost, The Bicycles).

Leaders in the D.I.Y. generation, the band members have worked incessantly at building the groundwork of their career, releasing their sophomore album on their own label, Pop Machine, created with their friends from Vancouver band Said the Whale. Their efforts have been recognized by the industry, earning Hey Ocean opening spots with Xavier Rudd and Sarah Harmer.

In the last year, they teamed up with Polaris Prize nominee Shad for dates across the country, and rocked thousands of fans alongside the much-admired Bedouin Soundclash. The band also previously wowed audiences at the Calgary Virgin Festival, the Saskatoon Jazz Fest, and the Whistler Arts Festival.
From the catchy riffs of Make A New Dance Up to the soulful melodies of Steady this album is sure to continue Hey Ocean on the path of success.