New Music For The Urban Sea
With sparkling melodics and a stirring core, the new single My Own Time out now from Brisbane indie rockers The Urban Sea bustles with swagger, heart and sanguine charm. Equally a groove-maker and core-shaker, My Own Time also arrives today with an accompanying music video that hovers between live performance and a poignant reflection of the emotive lyricism throughout.
Energetic and relatable, My Own Time captures a universal emotional narrative, detailing a relationship that has reached its natural end while also seeking empowerment to find closure against the heartbreak. Sonically, My Own Time mirrors the lyrical reclamation of strength, with the track’s upbeat grooves, propellant buoyancy and carefully curated arrangements calling to mind the emotional depth of Gang of Youths and the melodic energy of fellow Brisbane indie rockers Ball Park Music. The bands answers a few questions about the single.
How has the build-up been leading up to the release of ‘My Own Time’?
Long! We recorded this song as part of an EP over a year ago, so the wait has felt endless. This is one of the last singles to drop, and keeping it under wraps has been tough – we’ve been ready to let it loose for ages. We’re definitely relieved to finally share it!
Was the process of making your single as challenging as you thought?
Yes and no. We’ve gotten into a good groove after years of working together, so once we hit the studio, ideas flowed pretty smoothly. But every time we thought we’d nailed it, someone would throw out a “what if we tried this” suggestion, and we’d dive back in. It kept things challenging, but when it finally clicked, it was that jackpot moment.
Sonically, how would you describe your music?
We like to think of it as indie rock with roots – a mix of earthy, grounded tones and a drive that hits you in the chest. It’s got the heart of folk but the swagger of rock, with enough groove to keep you moving.
Who would you consider to be the biggest influence on your music and why?
Tough call! We draw from so many different places, but if we had to name a few, it’d be bands like Gang of Youths and Ball Park Music for their emotional intensity and live energy. And there’s a bit of Leonard Cohen storytelling vibe mixed in there—something about keeping it raw and honest just sticks.
Best piece of advice you have been given?
“Don’t take yourself seriously, but take the music seriously.” At the end of the day, the music should speak for itself, but there’s no harm in having a laugh along the way.
What is “The Urban Sea” life story?
We came together in true modern style – on a musician’s classified site (basically Tinder for musos). Since forming in 2019, we’ve carved out a spot in Brisbane’s indie scene. Back then, we were all over the place genre wise – from Rage Against The Machine inspired riffs to folky acoustic waltzes. Writing cohesive setlists was impossible! But with more lineup changes than the Avengers, our sound has evolved. Now, we’re a bit more of a refined, acoustic-driven indie style, keeping the raw energy from our early days but adding a bit more depth along the way.
Are you looking to tour more broadly?
Absolutely. We’d love to get our sound out to as many people as possible. Hitting the East Coast is just the start – we’re keen to get out there, meet new audiences, and see where the music takes us.
What’s next for The Urban Sea?
With My Own Time out, we’re gearing up for a big year. Our upcoming EP, Sunsets and Silhouettes, is dropping early next year, and we’re planning a massive launch show to celebrate. We’re also lining up gigs up and down the coast to bring these new tracks to as many people as possible. It’s shaping up to be a full-on year of live shows, and we can’t wait to hit the road and share these songs that have been a long time in the making.
Who’s your favourite Adelaide artist/group at the moment
Well, we’ll admit it – we were listening to our own Artist Radio on Spotify (a bit embarrassing, but it was research ok?), and we stumbled across Wanderers. Their grooves and melodies are seriously on point; they’ve got that perfect mix of soul and indie rock that just sticks with you. We’d love to catch them live someday.
Interview By Rob Lyon
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