Eye-opening, a creative challenge, one of a kind — that’s how I’d describe The Outlaw Ocean Music Project. This novel endeavor draws the attention of music and literary fans alike to these issues in an incredibly artistic way. All of these individuals are then able to converge on the common theme of The Outlaw Ocean. I learned so much about what is happening in international waters, and felt so enraged, heart-broken and inspired all at once. As an artist, I felt moved and motivated to try a different approach to producing these tracks. From the offset I knew I didn’t want to include any samples other than those that were provided by Ian, and that I wanted to read the book and produce in parallel. I would sit in my studio and start reading a chapter until I reached a point where I felt inspired to create melodies and I had a blueprint for a whole track. 

By far my favorite part of The Outlaw Ocean Music Project was having the chance to work with Ian. When someone devotes their whole life to one cause and has the ability to capture their findings in such refined prose, it’s hard not to be inspired. Collaborating with such a person was, and remains to be, one of the highlights of my musical career.

EMERLD