The calming waves. historic buildings, folklore, all of these inspirations from the Kentish coastal town of Deal have influenced the creation of Open Water’s second album Above The Waterline.
Fans of Crosby, Stills & Nash and British progressive/folk rock band Magna Carta are likely to be similarly enchanted with the band, whose new single ‘Summer Cries’, taken from the album, is out now.
“From March 2020 we started writing material for our second album. It helped us through those tricky times,” said the band, reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic. “Rather than dwelling on the uncertainty of the situation, we were inspired to write hopeful, uplifting, often ‘spiritual’ music that would unite all. The music has the ability to heal and uplift.”
The 11-track project’s lead single ‘Summer Cries’s demonstrates the band’s gentle, yet powerful, talent. Layered acoustic guitars providing a warm bed upon which lead vocalist Joanne Doolan’s comforting voice lays upon. As you can see for yourselves here at RAMzine, the single’s accompanying music video sees the group perform the song in the Kentish woodland as Doolan explores the space. The video showcasing the beauty of the band’s music as well as the nature surrounding Deal.
The rest of the album follows in much the same suit, taking inspiration from the musicians’ surroundings. “We have been greatly inspired by Deal’s beautiful coastline, historic buildings and folklore.,” said the band.
“There is a song on the album, ‘Lone Tree Hill’, inspired by a gruesome tale of a soldier posted at Dover Castle. Another song ‘The Tinker’ was inspired by Richard’s Grandad who made dolls house furniture. Other songs ‘Summer Cries,’ ‘I Trust The Road,’ and ‘Rainbows End’ embrace the human journey, letting go of the ego and following a simpler path, ‘Winter Bride’ is a heartbreaking story of a lady, who pregnant, was left at the altar. ‘Mabinogion’ is Jo’s ode to her birthplace, Wales.”
The album nearly wasn’t possible following a devastating loss of Doolan’s voice. The artist underwent a vocal surgery to remove two cysts on her vocal cords, a surgery with no guarantee of success. Thankfully, with an amazing surgeon and rehabilitation team, her voice is better than ever and she is now able to pass on this gift as a singing teacher today.
Guitarists Jeff Alexander and Richard Doolan originally met 27 years ago as Jeff was Richard’s first guitar teacher. The Doolans themselves, a couple with two children.
Above The Waterline is available across all platforms now.
