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Back in 2020 we dropped OCEANZ’s single “Diamonds,” a shimmering, iced-out track with a gangster aura that instantly became one of my favorites of the year. Now OCEANZ returns with a brand-new EP titled Shadow Work, and it shows just how far his sound has evolved. This project dives deep into darker textures, introspective moods, and a fully matured sonic identity.
Shadow Work is a bass-driven journey that you feel as much as you hear. The low end slithers through each track, paired with atmospheric pads, subtle glitches, and shadowy melodies that create a hypnotic, late-night energy. I linked up with the homie Derek Outson, the man behind the project to chat about how it came to be, challenges with the EP, and what he has in store next.
We go way back, you released on the label and we linked up for an interview in 2020, when you dropped one of my favorite label releases, “Diamonds.” Since then, how have you evolved as a producer, and how has your creative process changed?
Firstly, I appreciate you taking the time to shine a spotlight on my new music. Thank you! As for my personal evolution, I believe that having a child has had the biggest impact on my creative mindset. I didn’t have a lot of time for music the first few years my daughter was born, and it was freeing in a way. I used to punish myself for not being creative, and I had to turn away from that and accept that my music is not the center of the universe! Now that I have some more opportunities to step into the studio once again, I’ve been better able to let my mind go and enjoy the music. The technical side of music making is always evolving, but I have a better understanding now, more than ever, that the mindset with which one makes music is the most important. A lot of great art has been created by artists who made themselves suffer, but I cannot responsibly abide by that anymore. I think I get a better product when I’m holistically caring for myself and others outside of music.
What was the creative process like for this EP? Did you approach this one differently from your past projects? How many tracks did you choose from on the EP?
This EP was about being incredibly intentional. I know how to make a gnarly bassline, and I’ve been refining that forever. But truly serving the beat and making the track sing? That was the goal with this. I wanted to serve the music, so I only used native Ableton instruments for the bass sounds (except for one part on one track) and simplified my process. I would feel a sound over and over and ruminate until it just felt right. I wanted this EP to be listenable in 100 years. I don’t know if I accomplished that, but that was my aim. I think I chose from about 15 tracks that I made with an EP in mind.
Did the EP go through any major transformations from the first idea to the final version?
Sonically, I continued to evolve with each song. The single The Alchemist was where I knew I had something. It’s just so raw and keeps moving, telling the story little by little. I was jumping around my studio like a kid when I first got that beat to wiggle, and the stars felt like they were beginning to align with the body of work. After that, I had a clear picture of where the EP needed to go.
Were there any unexpected moments or challenges during production?
An unexpected moment was the choice not to use AI with any of the artwork. And right now, that’s a decision that feels right to stick with going forward. There’s a big push that’s anti-AI right now, especially in music and graphic art, mainly due to AI being trained on the work of human artists. But my decision wasn’t really made based on morality – it was more about challenging myself. I felt extremely lazy and uninspired with AI artwork. I was an early adopter of it (before many people were using it) to pump out art for singles. But after a while, it made me feel a little hollow. Also, I don’t want to steal images from Google anymore, as I did when I first started out. So now I’m boxing myself into a corner, because I’m not a true graphic illustrator. However, I can take decent pictures, so that’s what I did. I’m not sure what I’ll do going forward. It’s a challenge, but I want to continue being self-sustainable and pump out tracks when I want. So it’ll take some creative thinking and hard work on my part, which is a good thing.
The title “Shadow Work” has a lot of depth to it. How did that name come to you, and what inspired the concept behind it?
For the sake of brevity, I’ll just encourage anyone and everyone to investigate the work of Carl Jung (the man who coined the idea of Shadow Work). His work has helped me become a better person, and this album is dedicated to all who suffer but want to heal and be healed.
What’s your favorite track on the EP, and what makes that one stand out for you?
Red Book is my favorite right now. That one really flowed, and it’s just one drop. I like that it says what it needs to say, and then GTFO haha!
How has being a producer all these years shaped your personal growth, and what lessons have you taken from the journey?
Music has been my savior and my master at various times. Learning that music is my friend, not my enemy, has taught me a great deal about myself and what’s truly important in my life. Our gifts are not meant to be burdens. We have the agency to decide if we’re going to have a healthy or unhealthy relationship with our passions.
The scene is incredibly saturated with talent, and it can be tough to stand out. What advice would you give to someone who’s struggling to stay motivated creatively?
I would say look at what everyone else is doing and truly decide: what is you and what is not. Then make your own thing. Others will inspire us, and that’s wonderful. But in an effort to be seen, we sometimes try to fit in. The game of the internet is sickening at times, but we all have a choice in how we want to behave and how we want to showcase our art. It seems that the goal of becoming famous now supersedes the goal of creating great art. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself what you’re really doing this for, and the answers will come to you. Then your behavior and online persona will reflect that.
Are there any up-and-coming producers or artists you’re really inspired by at the moment? Artists you’ve had on repeat?
Lots and lots, but I’m going to take this opportunity to shout out my buddies: Darkwood, Jogga, poe, & Odinson. These gentlemen are really pushing the work forward in my community and they deserve all the love.
What’s next for OCEANZ? Do you have any upcoming collabs or projects for 2026?
I really want to collaborate more in 2026 and release some of these tunes we’ve kept locked away for too long – so look forward to some more of that soon. What’s next for OCEANZ? I’ll be playing a festival as a duo this winter, but I can’t announce it yet. Besides that, I’ll continue to take this thing one day at a time and do my best to deliver quality, heartfelt electronic music to all the lovely people who support me.
