Candy Claws – In The Dream Of The Sea Life

We found Candy Claws bathing in the waters off San Esteban near the shimmering Panda Valentine archipelago and they quickly stole our hearts. Their debut album is our first dip into electronica and we think you’ll be enamoured. You know how that genre sometimes gives the impression that the machines hold sway, well ‘In The Dream Of The Sea Life’ wrestles the initiative firmly back in our favour. When you hear the ocean, it’s actually the sound of real ocean and those vocals, although somewhat digitised, are so inherently human it makes you feel good to be on the right side of artificiality. What is he talking about I hear you say; well this is just an ordinary man exuberant on the heart wrenching persuasion of this album. I listen and I sink into bliss. ‘In The Dream Of The Sea Life’ is as innovative as it is tuneful and in our estimation is one of 2009’s finest works. The album has been completely remastered for the occasion including brand new artwork.

Ryan from Candy Claws now tells us the story behind ‘In The Dream Of The Sea Life’.

Aloha! Ryan here from Candy Claws. A little about ourselves and the album… Kay and I spent our first two years as a band writing and recording the music. It always had a nautical theme, perhaps because of the mystery of the ocean. Then I discovered Rachel Carson’s book, ‘The Sea Around Us’, hidden away on a shelf at my grandparents’ house, and the whole album came into focus. Miss Carson’s book, though scientific non-fiction, is imbued with such beauty and mystery, written in such elegant prose it feels more like poetry, a hymn to the sea. That’s what we were feeling for in our recordings, too, so we decided to make the album a ‘musical companion’ to the book. In June of 2008, Kay and I went to Italy with her high school art class, and recorded ocean sounds on the shores of Portovenere and Monterosso. Then in October I went to the Philippines with my mom, sister, and grandmother to meet our extended family for the first time. I recorded more ocean sounds at San Fernando and San Esteban on the island of Luzon. It was important to us to include sounds we had recorded ourselves, in places we loved, because sound effects tend to be gimmicky, but this way it seemed a lot more personal, and it’s exciting to be able to say the album was recorded in three different countries! Anyway, we made all the music in Fort Collins at a place called Flashy Storm, which is also called Ryan’s Bedroom when I go to sleep. Our favorite bands at the time, who really influenced the sound: the Beach Boys, Starflyer 59, the Lassie Foundation, My Bloody Valentine, Cornelius, and maybe you can guess a few more? Well, thanks for listening! See you soon!

Watch The Video To Catamaran!

Press

Gopher Illustrated Interview
Cat On The Wall Interview
The Devil Has The Best Tuna Interview

The Irish Independant

…Dream pop fans should investigate this gorgeous collection as a matter of urgency…

Underwater Tiger

…I was looking around for some new music that might blow me away and I found it, it’s called Candy Claws…

A.V. Club

…music made for marveling…

Pitchfork

…a warm, sunlit sound…

I Guess I’m Floating

…I think they’re a female Animal Collective…

Fense Post

…one of the most exceptional new bands to hit the scene this year…

Asleep On The Compost Heap

…it’s gorgeous…it’s the real deal…

Forest Gospel

…a completely wonderful surprise…

Knox Road

…incredible island-infused dream pop…

Newdust

…I can safely put this on the “Best of 2009″ list…

Elsewhere

Allmusic, New Jamz, 78s, The Music Lobby, NPR, Bad Weather California, Old Age Hipster, Surfing On Steam, Pop News, Cougar Microbes, Swell Sounds, Velours Carpet For Lovers, Velours Carpet For Lovers, Ekaya, Birds Sometimes Dance, Lito Music, Covert Curiousity, Beer & Bands, De Ongeletterde Wanhoop, So The Wind Won’t Blow It All Away, Das Klienicum, Not So Fresh, Olive Music, Pretty Much Amazing!, The Needle Drop, Hot Biscuits, Everett True, See What You Hear, A Future In Noise, Bleek Spook, Stop Sleeping, You, The Philler, Swear I’m Not Paul, Minutiae, bedwettingcosmonaut, Mise-en-scene, For The Muses, Vai Uma Gasosa?, Nialler9, Tenacious T, Cows Are Just Food, Nick Thinks, Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream, Borne Blogger, Cool Kids Belong Together, Pitchfork, Speaker Snacks, Arguardiente Eyes.