Ocean of Life is a project through which I set out to dissect our day-to-day trials and tribulations. The listener and I voyage through five songs, each one aiming to disentangle a circumstance we’re all forced to contend to. In Ocean of Life, I try to aid those at the crossroads with answers and sympathy in the same kind of way I do in the rest of my music, with sincere storytelling and soul-sturring melodies.

Many people are ready to give up their dreams for fear of failing, for not all of us are willing to take risks for the sake of our dreams. It’s very often, that dreams remain dreams. Alas, that’s the path of many unhappy lives. Yet time after time, I found that having nerve can go a long way! For only your weakness of character will fail you. 

Yearning expressed in the clever turns of phrase, paired with atmospheric, “shanty” riffs of the mandolin-fronted intro, makes “Between the Devil and His Deep Blue Sea” capture an individual struggle of attempting new heights. 

The lead track calls the listener to action with its very own kind of proverb: “All people’s troubles lie on the bay, with them, they’ll never know what’s ways from shore.” 

The successor track, “One Last Time,” bellows a cynical presage: “...if you bury the past, make sure you bury it deep.” A message—pulled right from the pages of American author Jennifer Donnelly’s novel, These Shallow Graves, by which this song is inspired.  

“One Last Time” is a reminder that we reap what we sow. It is a forewarning that we always answer for our actions, and much like Donnelly’s timeless tale, the song questions just how much we are willing to tempt fate. And, for what cost…

It’s important to remember that we’re not allowed to rewrite our life stories. There are no second chances. So learn to live consciously and write the story of your life as cleanly as possible, so that there are no lies, betrayal, deceit, cruelty, cowardice, and indifference. 

“I Will Be Home” is where I get a kick out of reverbed guitars! But, the echoing yet piercing melodies on this track also stand as the composition’s own type of metaphor for our lust for the good old days. The song is an ode to nostalgia—the times in our lives that we look back on with fondness and sometimes wish to return to someday. 

Carrying on: life loves to throw us curve balls, and they are very frustrating. However, “Mean a Thing” encourages the listener with its soft and nurturing feel, to not lose faith. Despair, longing pain, and whatever happens in life—all will pass. Never lose hope; it’ll bare your strength and patience, and you’ll surely return to a leveled road. 

Finally: “Forthcoming” is a foreboding croon about what happens when in the desperate pursuit to try and save somebody from their problems, we end up losing ourselves in the process without getting much in return. Through this song, I hope to convey to my audience not to waste their energy on people who don’t treasure what they’ve got to give, or else they’ll be pulled asunder.

In its totality, Ocean of Life will forever be a landmark in my career journey, because it was one of those stepping stones I always hoped to reach. Finishing and accomplishing Ocean of Life proved to me once again the level of my skill and passion for this art, and I aim for even greater success with my future projects.

As for you—I hope these songs mean something if you’ve already taken a listen or once you’ll take a listen. I hope that if you’re struggling, these songs found you in time to lend a helping hand. 

And as I always do, I wish us all lots of love, luck, and good health!

Take care,

MM