[Cover photo credit to Darin Back]
The Ocean Blue is re-releasing their first post-major-label album, Davy Jones’ Locker, which will arrive on August 25th, 2023 via Korda Records. Davy Jones’ Locker was the band’s first album after they left a successful major label run (releasing three albums on Sire Records, and another on PolyGram/Mercury) but it gave them the freedom to try new things.
Lead singer and songwriter David Schelzel says:
It’s definitely our most eclectic and least fussy record, where we were experimenting with different musical directions, sounds, arrangements and lyrical themes. It is our first truly independent release, and the first record we did entirely on our own, in our own studios with some help from friends but no outside producer or engineer.
Davy Jones’ Locker was initially released in 1999 by indie label March Records in a limited run and over time it has gained a substantial fan following.
The album fits well in the alternative realm of ’80s bands like The Smiths and New Order, through the early Britpop of Blur, the LAs and The Trashcan Sinatras, while hinting at sounds ahead of its time.
Anchored by the single “Denmark,” which has received a brand new video, Davy Jones’ Locker finds the band looking back on their history. The accompanying video, directed by Zeke Anders, captures the band at these crossroads.
Schelzel comments on the video:
The setting of the song is the band’s tour of Denmark which marked a turning point for us, as one of the founding members of the band left right after that tour and a current member joined us. The video does an amazing job of capturing all of these themes and moods. Better to see it than explain it.
TOUR DATES:
Sep 1 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall
Sep 2 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
Sep 3 Minneapolis, MN Parkway Theater
Sep 8 Washington, DC Howard Theater
Sep 9 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls
Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA Ardmore Theater
Sep 30 Virginia Beach, VA Neptune Festival
Oct 6 San Antonio, TX Sam’s Burger Joint
Oct 7 Houston, TX Numbers
Oct 19 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern
Oct 20 Detroit, MI Magic Bag
Oct 21 Columbus, OH Natalie’s Grandview Music Hall
Nov 10 Miami, FL The Ground @ Club Space
Nov 11 Chapel Hill, NC Cat’s Cradle
Nov 16 San Diego, CA Casbah *SOLD OUT*
Nov 17 San Francisco, CA The Chapel
Nov 18 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
