I have a fascination with people’s desire to disrupt and disregard standard norms, and the underlying motivations behind their actions. As an artist, I always strive to make music that’s a rebellious response to popular culture, and I find myself most inspired by other acts of defiance, which is why the chapter “The Rusty Kingdom” connected with me the most while reading The Outlaw Ocean. The idea of establishing a country in the middle of the sea deeply intrigued me, and was a source of inspiration for one of my tracks. 

My collaborators and I tried to convey the full arc of the chapter — building from the excitement and adrenaline of seeing your own ideas realized through the creation of your own country. At the same time, we allowed the music to flow and twist into a darker ambience, juxtaposing elements of trust and deception in the sound of the music.  As producers, we wanted to focus on the soundscapes telling the story, while certain key changes created a tone and set the scene.

In a way The Outlaw Ocean is a form of written rebellion as well — it’s a book that delves into some really important topics that are often neglected by mainstream media. This kind of factual, yet engaging writing is extremely important for the education of the reader. I hope people experience the book and are able to broaden their knowledge and are pushed to advocate for the topics Ian sheds light on.

Cleric x Kmyle