What We’ve Been Listening To: Sea Animals In Seattle

If you’re looking for a fresh and dynamic new sound to spice up your playlists, look no further than Sea Animals in Seattle‘s latest offering ‘Busy Doing Things‘ featuring American rapper RXKNephew. With an invigorating beat that builds intensity from the outset, the track combines the best of rap and techno to create a truly unique sound. RXKNephew’s assured cadence and delivery are the perfect complement to Sea Animals in Seattle’s smorgasbord of unique samples and sounds, which attach themselves to the layered mix in a way that is both experimental and cohesive.

https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1470907357

One of the things that sets Sea Animals in Seattle apart from their contemporaries within the Australian music scene is their strong DIY ethic: from track inception to the final product, the collective and their wider production family handle every aspect of the creative process, from writing and recording to mixing, mastering, cover art, and video production.

That hands-on approach is evident in every aspect of the track, which bursts with a sense of creative energy and momentum. The collective explain that they wanted to create a sense of intensity that would keep the listener guessing, and they have certainly achieved that goal with ‘Busy Doing Things’. Searing, foreboding synths create a menacing atmosphere that is both exhilarating and unpredictable, while the melding of rap and techno influences creates a sound that feels wholly their own.

The collective talked about the inspiration behind the track, saying that they wanted to create something that would combine elements of rap and techno in a way that would capture a sense of momentum and intensity. This sense of creative experimentation is evident throughout the track, with Sea Animals in Seattle playing with experimental sounds, samples, and melodies to create a truly unique listening experience.

“With ‘Busy Doing Things’ we wanted to combine elements of rap and techno to create a sense of momentum and intensity. Keeping the listener guessing was also at the front of our mind, and we achieved this through playing with experimental sounds, samples, and melodies. — Sea Animals in Seattle

‘Busy Doing Things’ is more than just a defined hip-hop/rap anthem, as it is an absolute triumph for Sea Animals in Seattle, showcasing their raw talent, innovative approach, and passion for music, which is evident across the entire release.

As part of the new release, Sea Animals in Seattle answered a couple of questions for Eat This Music as part of the latest “What We’ve/I’ve Been Listening To” series. Dig in and enjoy.

Who is Sea Animals In Seattle and how did the namesake come about?

Sea Animals In Seattle is a collective of lifelong friends and music producers based in Sydney. The group consists of local artists such as Lex Neville, Space Cop 2 Did Miro, Lightbrain, Kaiser Beams Midweek Mafia, Backbone Skeekz and more.

The name was chosen because we wanted something that represents the diversity and collaborative nature of the group. Although we’re not actually from Seattle, we know that the city is known for its rich marine life which includes whales, salmon, and seals. Also, the alliteration is catchy and makes it easier to remember.

But to be completely honest, we were just really high and thought it was funny.

What artists or bands are on your must-listen to list lately and why?

– Turnstile – for bringing hardcore punk into the mainstream with their energetic performances and intensely catchy riffs.
– Death grips – because we’ve never heard anyone put anxiety into music as well as these guys with their unconventional production and aggressive rapping.
– Gorillaz – One of the most influential electronic acts of the 21st century, entertaining visuals which also happens to be an effective satire of the modern music industry.

Which guilty pleasure songs are you reluctant to admit to listening to?

Guilty pleasures are for people with no confidence, pleasure is pleasure.

Which song of someone else’s (artist or band) would you have liked to feature on and why?

Any Tool song because fuck, they left a lot of open space for vocals.

https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/658715678

Which song, or songs, of yours, would you recommend to a first-time listener and why?

Our debut single TOTP (also known as Twerk Out The Pain) because it’s all we have. Also, it goes hard as fuck. We recorded and produced everything ourselves in a vacant office space (thanks Covid). The song deals with themes of isolation, aggression, and paranoia in the 21st century.

https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1204917718

What led you into using music as your creative outlet, and keeps you making music?

Well, most of us have been musicians in one way or another since we were children and we’ve always bonded over our mutual love of music. Playing music together as a group is the one activity that really brings us together. We have worked together on various musical projects, and it has kept our friendship alive after all these years. We all have similar tastes, but we all bring something unique to the table and it’s been fun to explore that dynamic.