The Oyster Murders

I was in for a delightful surprise the day following Thanksgiving when I went to check my university e-mail.  Instead of finding notifications from professors or advertisements to participate in human experiments, I was graced by the presence of Grant Redgen from the band The Oyster Murders.  The band consists of key members Redgen (guitar, vocals) and Shaun Edwards (drums), who play alongside a rotating list of musical contributors.  The recording for their upcoming album Whatever Became of Marie St. Clair? took place in a renovated old church that also just so happens to be operated by Australian Recording Industry Association award-winner Lachlan Goold, who goes by the name Magoo.  I can only imagine how the musical process must be influenced when surrounded by such rustic, and probably slightly haunting, surroundings.  Upon initial listens to The Oyster Murders, I was immediately drawn to the early '90s alternative music influence, a genre that has recently become a favorite of mine.  The more I listened, the more I could envision their particular setting in which the songs were produced...it seemed quite fitting.  I especially liked the song "Ghosts In Our Wake"; the vastly atmospheric guitar riff fantastically accompanying the lyrics relating towards the sea.  Since the ocean itself is voluminous, why shouldn't the song be as well?  Have a listen to "Ghosts In Our Wake" and also "Lovers Who Drink the Sea" below.

 Ghosts In Our Wake

 Lovers Who Drink the Sea

Both tracks are from their upcoming album Whatever Became of Marie St. Clair?, which will be released during March of 2011.  The band offers several downloads for free at their SoundCloud, so be sure to check that out here.  For more updates, you can also check out their MySpace, which is located here.