Conversing with Oceans
Conversing with Oceans | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | CWO |
| Origin | Bronx, New York |
| Genres | Alternative rock, Electronic music, Pop music |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | The Orchard |
| Associated acts | John Forté, A Moment's Worth, Christopher Ragone, John Endico, Daniel Castro |
| Website | conversingwithoceans |
Conversing with Oceans is the solo music project of Bronx-based singer-songwriter Alex Bondarev.[1][2] The name Conversing with Oceans refers to the introspective style[3] of the compositions, as well as the locations (Russia, India) Bondarev has lived. [4][5]
On November 25th, 2016, Conversing with Oceans digitally released the debut EP "PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE" via The Orchard (a Sony Music company). The 5 track EP featured a collaboration with the Grammy-nominated Fugees producer, artist, and social activist John Forté on the song "Deeper."[6][7]
History
Formation
Bondarev was born in Grozny, Chechnya, of the former Soviet Union. During the Second Chechen War, he and his family immigrated to India and then, as Russian refugees, to The Bronx, NY in the United States. In grammar school in The Bronx, he met the friends that would become the band A Moment’s Worth.[8] The band became known for their characteristically optimistic and introspective songs and were featured in the New York Press and won College Battle of the Bands, whose other notable participants included Mike Posner and Local Natives.[9] In 2011, A Moment's Worth was awarded with the non-profit Elfenworks' Social Justice Award for their song “Dedicate.”[5] Bondarev began a partnership with the non-profit in 2013.[10]
In 2013, Bondarev was recruited to compose a track for Google, which was featured in their "Doodle 4 Google"[11] campaign. He has also had appearances in national television ads and news programs.[12]
Bondarev began Conversing with Oceans in 2015 and described the endeavor as a more authentic extension of his voice, with a characteristic devotion to melody and introspective lyrical style.[5] For his first two EPs, "PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE." (2016 / The Orchard) and "Indie Films" (2017 / The Orchard), he’d worked closely with producer and musician Brendan Rivera and engineer Matt Labozza, of Joel Hamilton's Studio G in Brooklyn, NY, of the team that produced Pretty Lights' Grammy-nominated “A Color Map of the Sun.”
During 2015-2016, Bondarev built the band's following by making regular appearances at NYC venues such as Rockwood Music Hall and The Bitter End.[5]
The release of Conversing With Oceans’ first single “The Gold Rush” resulted in a one-on-one Wix Music Showcase with Randy Jackson at the 2016 South By Southwest Music Festival. It also lead to a global distribution deal with Sony's The Orchard.[5]
Performing musicians
- Alex Bondarev - composition, production, vocals, guitar, keys
- Christopher Ragone - guitar, bass
- John Endico - bass
- Daniel Castro - drums
Discography
EPs
- "PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE." (November 2016 / The Orchard) 1. "A Spotlight on 3rd" 2. "The Gold Rush" 3. "Deeper" featuring John Forte 4. "Heart of a Poet" 5. "The Dream"
Singles
- "The Gold Rush" (March 2016)
- "La Jolla" (July 2016 / The Orchard)
- "Deeper" featuring John Forté (September 2016 / The Orchard)
- "Heart of a Poet" (October 2016 / The Orchard)
- "Hanna" (November 2016)
Featured Appearances / Collaborations
"Burning Lights" (Single / 92 Band / December 2015)
Covers
"Love Yourself" by Justin Bieber / Ed Sheeran Cover (February 2016)
Noted appearances
- NPR's Weekend Edition "For This Music Community, The Tiny Desk Was an Excuse to Reunite" (2017)
- News 12 Story "Bronx Musician Gets Big Break" (2016)
- BronxNet Rocktober Television Feature (2016)
- "Deeper" featuring John Forte Official Grammy Submission (2016)
- BronxNet OPEN Live! (2016)
- SXSW Wix Music Showcase with Randy Jackson (2016)
- Feature Performer at Elfenworks In Harmony with Hope Awards (October 2015)
- NPR Tiny Desk Official Newsletter & Blog (2016)
- LoudaVision Podcast for Creatives (2016)
- Idobi Front Page Premiere "Heart of a Poet" Single (October 2016)
- Atwood Magazine Premiere "Past. Present. Future." EP (November 2016)
- Studio at Webster Hall (Co-headliner November 25th, 2016)
References
- ↑ "For This Musical Community, The Tiny Desk Contest Was An Excuse To Reunite". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
- ↑ "Neighborhood Tales (Episode 06): Alex Bondarev". Bronx Narratives. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
- ↑ "Premiere: Conversing with Oceans Tackles Time on Dreamy "Past. Present. Future." EP - Atwood Magazine". 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
- ↑ "For This Musical Community, The Tiny Desk Contest Was An Excuse To Reunite". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Brungardt, Leah. "The Indie Artist CONVERSING WITH OCEANS Discusses Their Latest Music, Biggest Inspirations and More!". allaccess.com. All Access Music Group, Inc. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ↑ "Premiere: Conversing with Oceans Tackles Time on Dreamy "Past. Present. Future." EP - Atwood Magazine". 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
- ↑ "BX musician gets chance to produce for famous artist". News 12 Bronx. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
- ↑ "Neighborhood Tales (Episode 06): Alex Bondarev". Bronx Narratives. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
- ↑ "College Battle of the Bands Ready to Announce Winner". www.sesac.com. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
- ↑ "In Harmony With Hope: Performing Artists". elfenworks.org. Elfenworks Foundation, LLC. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ↑ "Doodle 4 Google 2013 is Open For Submissions!". youtube.com. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ↑ "For This Musical Community, The Tiny Desk Contest Was An Excuse To Reunite". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
External links
Conversing with Oceans
This article "Conversing with Oceans" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Conversing with Oceans. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
