Truth

Christchurch, New Zealand and Los Angeles, USA

Voids

Electronic

Behind the Music

Real and honest journalism is fundamental for a healthy society — now more than ever. It’s vitally important for journalists to report the stories not being told, and Ian is doing just that through The Outlaw Ocean. This journalism is incredibly detailed, well-researched and brings to light issues that aren’t being discussed by the public-at-large in a way that leaves you breathless. Without Ian’s reporting, the stories told in his book may have never been shared with the world. The Outlaw Ocean is impactful journalism that explores very important and relevant issues.

More than that, in combining his reporting with music, Ian is adding a whole other layer of weight to these stories and innovation in the way they’re being told. The arts have always been an integral part of advocating and highlighting issues, oftentimes serving as social commentary. Art reflects society and the stories we need to hear, the same way journalism does. Telling the stories of The Outlaw Ocean and capturing their intensity through music makes it even more emotionally impactful for listeners and readers alike.

Truth

Winner of the 2021 Scripps Howard Award for Excellence in Innovation in Journalism

The Journalism behind the Music

All music in this project is based on The Outlaw Ocean, a New York Times Best-Selling book by Ian Urbina that chronicles lawlessness at sea around the world. This reporting touches on a diversity of abuses ranging from illegal and overfishing, arms trafficking at sea, human slavery, gun running, intentional dumping, murder of stowaways, thievery of ships and other topics.

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