Home- News
- Shows
- Music
- Photos
- Video
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Bio
- Contact
-
Posts
- Jan 26 Show!
I will be playing January 26th at DefSup’s DERELICTE 5: A Fashion Odyssey event.
I am thinking of wearing the most unfashionable thing I can think of and will be taking suggestions via the internet. Maybe a onesie made out of fire. Wait, do they make those?
- Twenty Twelve
Thunder Bay’s best arts and culture magazine, The Walleye, held a vote a while back highlighting the city’s best things in 2012. I’m really humbled that my record, The Golden Hour was voted third best! You can check out the results here. I am in great company; my good friend Jean-Paul De Roover was voted second for his excellent EP; and my friends Merk and Martel had their graphic novel Nowadays voted as Best Book AND Merk voted as Best Visual Artist! Well deserved.
This closes out 2012 on another positive note. I’m looking forward to 2013. I’ve just received the masters back on my EP and hope to have that out soon.
I am extremely excited to let everyone know that I will be a part of CMW’s Canadian Music Week in March, 2013. The first round of bands was just announced at at Canadian Music Fest website! I will have more information soon. In the meantime, here’s the link:
- Recording & Other Events
Thanks to everyone who came out to the string of shows I just did here at home. It was great to work on new material in front of people and get feedback on it. It also helps on developing how I do it on record. Speaking of which, I am finalizing several new music things which have been often referred to as “songs” in certain circles. These “songs” are currently being recorded and mixed and then will be mastered and then after that hopefully inside of your ears. Or your walkman or whatever.
I have some really great announcements coming up on how I intend to release said music things and also on some festival and tour dates in the coming year.
- END OF SUMMER UPDATE
Well, after a seemingly short summer where I spent my days shirtless on a sun-kissed beach, and my nights shirtless piloting stealth get-away helicopters on billion dollar diamond heists, I am ready to play some shows.
I have the following coming up in Thunder Bay:
September 14 @ The Study w/ Jon Cohen Experimental and my good friend Jean-Paul De Roover
September 21 @ The Foundry as a part of Thunder Bay’s gigantic Music for the Masses festival.
September 25 @ Crocks w/ Secret Broadcast and Pedestrian Lifestyle
October 27 @ TBD as a part of Definitely Superior’s The Hunger
November 2 @ Definitely Superior Art Gallery as a part of the launch of the Nowadays graphic novel release party. I will likely be playing an atmospheric music set.
I’ll have more details on each soon.
- FRIDAY NIGHT (August 10, 2012)
Hey everypeople, I am playing THIS FRIDAY NIGHT. That’s August 10, 2012. I will be at one of my favourite places in the world, The Black Pirate’s Pub, and will likely be 2 or 5 drinks deep before playing. I strongly suggest you come see me play. I haven’t played since June, and won’t be playing again until September! I will be playing with a few great touring acts: The Shrugs, and Salinas. What with all the ‘the’ I intend on playing as THE Ocean City Defender that night.
Also, if you haven’t noticed oceancitydefender.com got a lot more awesome lately. What with the gorgeous new layout and whatnot. If you’re reading this on a phone, or a twitter, or a friendster, or an AOL I STRONGLY SUGGEST you get on that Netscape Navigator and chart a course for oceancitydefender.com
Wait, what?
See you all Friday!
- Nowadays - Contribute! Read!
Some very good dudes of mine will be publishing their massive 300-page graphic novel Nowadays, but they need contributions for the printing funds. They have an IndieGoGo campaign here: http://www.indiegogo.com/Nowadays
If you watch a few of the trailers, you can hear some ambient, creepy music I did for them.
Please check out the campaign and contribute. This is a unique story with incredible artwork.
In other news, I am home from NXNE and have started working on the follow-up to The Golden Hour. I should be playing a few shows through the summer, but will be focused on the new record primarily. Also working on my head-spins, and watching the new episodes of Futurama.
- NXNE!
Ocean City Defender will be playing North By North East this year. I am extremely excited for this opportunity. My set will be Wednesday, June 13 @ 12AM (Midnight) at Czehoski on Queen St.
I am working on a few other dates to build a micro tour around this date. Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Windsor are all TBA. I’m really hoping to play Sudbury with my good friends Calendars.
I have a few other shows lined up locally as well. June 1st at the magnificent Black Pirate’s Pub in Thunder Bay with some other awesome local bands. I’ve also got the gigantic Music For The Masses event in September coming up. I played this puppy last year and it was an insanely good time.
- !earshot review
The Golden Hour was reviewed by !earshot! The review can be read here. This is very exciting.
I figured I would also take this opportunity to say - again - if you haven’t downloaded the album, to do so as soon as you can at Bandcamp. I got a call from the internet and they said that they were running out of mp3s and to get them while you still can.
Also if you’re wondering how the album was made, you can watch that documentary here.
Okay, bye!
- We're talking about practice.
So, I have been practicing for tomorrow’s show. “Tomorrow” as in Friday April 6, 2012. And “show” as in THIS SHOW RIGHT HERE.
The point of this post, you ask? Come to the show if you can. There will be two new songs and some re-workings of existing joints off the EP.
I am on at 1:30am. Black Pirate’s Pub.
There will also be Ocean City Defender shirts for sale.
- (Insert Radio Pun)
Alright, just a reminder to everyone that I will be on CILU today between 4 and 6 playing two songs as a part of their fund drive. It would be rad if everyone donated some money to the station.
The show can be heard online today at http://luradio.ca/wp/?page_id=40 from 4 - 6pm. Or on old timey radio, like the following photo, at 102.7 fm in the Thunder Bay area.
(Actual photo of old timey radio with sound-lines present)
Between episodes of Murphy Brown and Full H today, I finished a new song that I will be playing. So it’s BRAND new. As of today new. That’s got to be worth SOMETHING.
Above is The Making of The Golden Hour the documentary (mockumentary?) on the recording process behind The Golden Hour EP.
Lots of news on shows and radio appearances and new music coming soon!
- Shows & Radio
I have a few shows and a radio performance coming up!
I will be playing on CILU March 29th on the Digging Through the Rubble program as part of the LU Radio fundraiser. I will be playing a new song on air. The working title of the song is The Mechanical Boy. It is not a cover of The Mechanical Boy from H.R. Pufnstuf, but it really should be. The show can be heard online that day at http://luradio.ca/wp/?page_id=40 from 4 - 6pm.
My next show is March 31st as a part of the Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s fantastic Urban Infill art event. I will kick off the after party starting at 10PM.
Following that is April 6th at the Black Pirate’s Pub with Jean-Paul De Roover.
More information will follow soon!
- The One Where Ocean City Defender Plays Music
Some excellent things lately. The record has been getting some really great features on some really better than great blogs. Sounds Better With Reverb, BIRP.fm, Mistaken for Strangers to name - and link to - a few.
I will also be playing on February 29th with local geniuses Jean-Paul De Roover and Jamie Smith for Jean-Paul’s Loopy Leap Year quadrennial event.
Lots more to come music and video wise. I intend to have the documentary mentioned in an earlier post up on the site in a week or two. I also also intend to be posting some remixes of the album. Not in the ‘somebody-else-did-the-remix’ vein, but in the vein of remixing myself. It will be a fun experiment.
- Interview on Independent Music Promotions
An interview I did with Independent Music Promotions was published on their site today.
I always worry I come of as a “negative nelly” or a “un-positive pal” or a “total asshole” in these things…
The whole interview can be read here: http://www.independentmusicpromotions.com/2012/01/18/exclusive-interview-synth-pop-indie-rocker-ocean-city-defender/
Also, has anyone been keeping up with Elite: The Private Jet Lifestyle Magazine? What a great publication…
- The Golden Hour EP
“The Golden Hour has set the bar very high for electro-pop in 2012. This is essential listening for anyone with ears and a heartbeat.” - Voyage North (CBC Radio One)
The Golden Hour EP is now available. It is downloadable from http://oceancitydefender.bandcamp.com as pay-what-you-want-or-can. Physical copies are available on CD for $5 from shows. I am working on a limited run of 8-Track copies, because, why not?
Also, if anyone missed my interview on CBC, you can check it out here: http://www.cbc.ca/voyagenorth/episodes/2012/01/06/ocean-city-defender/
- CBC Radio Interview Tonight
Hello everyone,
I will be on CBC Radio’s Voyage North tonight between 4 and 6 pm.
The show streams here:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/radio-popup.html#networkKey=cbc_radio_one&programKey=thunderbay
- The Golden Hour has 22 Minutes & More
Here are some things that are happening:
The Golden Hour EP will be available online and at shows January 6, 2012
I am conveniently playing on January 6, 2012 at The Black Pirate’s Pub in sunny Thunder Bay.
I have two new videos available to look at. One is called Movement and can be found right here by clicking on these words; the other is called The Freddy Shelly Throat Punch and can be found over here by doing the same. Both videos should be look-at-able in the videos section of this website.
I will be on CBC’s Voyage North January 5, 2012 talking about the EP.
That right up there at the beginning of this post is a screencap from the documentary I am finishing editing called Ocean City Defender: The Making of The Golden Hour: A documentary made by Ocean City Defender during the making of The Golden Hour the title is subject to change. But the interesting part about that is the documentary is A) going to be available to look at online in January and B) going to be hilarious.
- The Golden Hour EP & Shows
Friends,
I have finally completed The Golden Hour EP. If you haven’t guessed yet, that above is the artwork for the “jacket cover” (that was for you, Spinal Tap fans).
Anyone remember when albums had covers and not computer-compressed JPEGs on a 3 inch screen that no one really cares about and they only listen to one song and don’t know the artist or song name and when they tell their friends about it they forget the name and just transfer a file instead of making a big thing about it? Me too.
The Golden Hour will be released in the following formats: Physical (Compact Disc) and Metaphysical (Digital). Metaphysical in the sense that you will be able to download the album to a “computer” and play it on a “computer music playing device” commonly known as a Walkman. But you won’t actually get to hold it, and smell the ink on the artwork. That’s part of the process, right?
All of this will go down January 6, 2012.
In the meantime, I will be uploading videos with songs and other incidental things.
Along with the EP release will be the ‘making of’ documentary which follows the process of making the EP.
Finally, I will be playing a few shows at the top of the year in town as well. January 6th at Thunder Bay’s Black Pirate’s Pub (which will act as an unofficial release party) and then a few times in February. Dates are coming on that one.
Keep checking back here for more information, shows details, and for videos, etc.
-
Shows
- Upcoming Shows:
March, 2013Canadian Music Fest
-
Albums
- 5 tracks
BuySELECTED REVIEWS: "The Golden Hour has set the bar very high for electro-pop in 2012. This is essential listening for anyone with ears and a heartbeat." - Voyage North (CBC Radio One) "You don't have to dig very deep in his material to hear the wide range of 80's post-punk influences that play out vicariously through a more modern love for warm and dreamy synth-pop. Using a steady wall of lush instrumentals and hazy vocals, OCD's K. Preston Merkley makes a habit of breaking the pattern you might expect a solo performer to find sanctuary in." - BIRP.fm This EP is the stuff of dreams, and dream dates. K. Preston Merkley (the sole Defender) has self-recorded and self-released a set of five magical electro-pop songs. The sound is clean and bright with delicately layered synths and fuzzy guitars... If you like M83, you should meet his soft-spoken best friend. You will fall in love." - The Walleye Arts & Culture Magazine "I could write a whole paragraph about how the Ontario-based musician K. Preston Merkley (going by Ocean City Defender) creates warm shoegaze synthpop that makes you want to lay on a hill in the sun and stare into the clouds. Or how the fuzzy melodies just tend to make you feel good inside..." - Mistaken For Strangers "The mellow waves flow like Simple Minds, New Order (but smoother), Yaz, etc." - Berkeley Place Blog ABOUT THE GOLDEN HOUR EP: The Golden Hour is Ocean City Defender’s debut EP. Recorded over the fall of 2011, The Golden Hour presents a tight focus on vocal melody and structure; the songs are built around warm synthesizers, hazy guitars, and supported by the steady pulse of drum machines. Ocean City Defender is the performing name of Ontario-based multi-instrumentalist K. Preston Merkley. Far from the typical sounds of a solo-performer, Ocean City Defender creates lush synthpop songs both on stage and record. Ocean City Defender’s influences range widely from the sounds of New Order and Tears for Fears, to M83 and Phoenix. ***
-
Photos" data-title="Ocean City Defender - Bio B&W" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7992076987/"> " data-title="OCD - NXNE June 13 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410441556/"> " data-title="OCD - NXNE June 13 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410441198/"> " data-title="OCD - NXNE June 13 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410440982/"> " data-title="OCD - NXNE June 13 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410428020/"> " data-title="OCD - June 1 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410384918/"> " data-title="OCD - September 11 2011" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410384856/"> " data-title="OCD - January 6 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410384784/"> " data-title="OCD - January 6 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7410384594/"> " data-title="OCD - January 6 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7407301158/"> " data-title="OCD - January 6 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7407285746/"> " data-title="OCD - January 6 2012" data-link="http://www.flickr.com/80806523@N04/7407285542/">
-
UploadsApr 22, 13" data-title="Ocean City Defender - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (U2 Cover)"> Jun 07, 12" data-title="Ocean City Defender - NXNE 2012 - Video Flyer"> Mar 20, 12" data-title="Ocean City Defender - The Making of The Golden Hour"> Dec 24, 11" data-title="Ocean City Defender - The Golden Hour"> Dec 20, 11" data-title="Ocean City Defender - Movement"> Dec 20, 11" data-title="Ocean City Defender - The Freddy Shelly Throat Punch"> Jul 17, 11" data-title="Ocean City Defender - The Golden Hour">
-
Wall
- Wednesday night! Come see me open for the wonderful Aerosol Constellations and the brillian Fin'r Things!
- Got some rad show announcements and other stuff coming up very soon!
- Hey everybody! While I'm preparing to release some new music, I did this cover! It's a little different from what I normally do but was a great experiment.
- Sadly, I have had to cancel my show tonight at CMW and my show tomorrow in Sudbury at the Townehouse. I can't thank and apologize enough to anyone involved in both shows and to anyone who had planned on coming to either show. I will be out that way again soon.
- TONIGHT!!! I'm on at 10:50, then I'll be doing a Joy Division cover set at 12:10!
- Thanks to anyone and everyone for listening tonight and also donating to LU Radio while I was on. Please come out Saturday to support more great local music!
- I will be on CILU radio tonight after 5:30 pm. Likely talking about tips for maintaining your garden or music. Or maybe the show on Saturday. Anyway, check it out. I will be bringing two new songs with me to play! Unless you've been to a show lately, you haven't heard these songs!
- Ladies and friendtlemen: I'll be playing this upcoming Saturday at Def Sup for the Electronika event! This will be incredible. There are several fantastic electronic acts along with other brilliant stimulus like lights, videos, and mroe. So come; get stimulated. I'll also be playing in a Joy Division cover band following my set. Don't miss this.
- Ladies and friendtlemen: I'll be playing this upcoming Saturday at Def Sup for the Electronika event! This will be incredible. There are several fantastic electronic acts along with other brilliant stimulus like lights, videos, and mroe. So come; get stimulated. I'll also be playing in a Joy Division cover band following my set. Don't miss this.
- EVERYONE. The countdown is on: And if I had a watch or a clock or something, I could tell you exactly how far away this is. I CAN TELL YOU it's tonight and VERY close! I am on at 8:30 Tell your kids. Tell your wife.
- Tomorrow night everybody! Don't be a jabroni, and miss this! OCD is on at 8:30.
- Planning a March mini-tour. Also, if it would be feasible to build a fire-breathing Papier-mâché snake to encase my body while performing.
- Jan 26 Show! I will be playing January 26th at DefSup’s DERELICTE 5: A Fashion Odyssey event. I am thinking of wearing the most unfashionable thing I can think of and will be taking suggestions via the internet. Maybe a onesie made out of fire. Wait,...
- This is awesome: The Golden Hour was voted Thunder Bay's third best record for 2012. I'm in good company: My friend Jean-Paul De Roover was voted second best! And probably the most awesome thing is my good friends Merk and Martell getting voted Best Book for their graphic novel, Nowadays. AND Merk getting Best Visual Artist. Great end to the year.
- Happy Holidays from Ocean City Defender and also Burt.
- I am extremely excited to let everyone know that I will be a part of CMW's Canadian Music Week in March, 2013. The first round of bands was just announced at at Canadian Music Fest website! More information coming soon! http://canadianmusicfest.com/
- Hey Everyfriends! One of my songs from The Golden Hour EP (Movement) is featured in season nine's episodes 6, 7, and 8 of the PBS TV show Roadtrip Nation. Check your local listings for airtime OR watch them online at http://roadtripnation.com/
- "What's recording look like?" "Imagine a rainbow. Now imagine that rainbow is in your stomach. Also the rainbow is made of fire and your stomach is distended and the fire is crawling up your spine."
- Recording & Other Events Thanks to everyone who came out to the string of shows I just did here at home. It was great to work on new material in front of people and get feedback on it. It also helps on developing how I do it on record. Speaking of...
- Friends, My side-project, Memory Loss will be playing this event Friday in support of the magnificent graphic novel, Nowadays. I have written a lot of atmospheric, ambient music specifically for this event and performance. Come out, buy a book, beat a zombie to death with your fists or a bat.
- Do you like dressing up? Do you like electropop? If yes, then this.
- This coming Saturday, I will be playing at Crocks in Thunder Bay. My set is at 8:40. This is as a part of The Hunger massive million-venue party. I would post the event here, but I don't understand how to internet. See everyone then!
- Everyone: We are so close to next weekend, I can literally taste it. No... wait, that's just alcohol. Either way. More details will follow for my set at The Hunger. October 27th! Get ready to weep and dance at the same time.
Dec 25, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151311967144684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Dec 06, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151281090774684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Dec 03, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151275824849684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Nov 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151235871484684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Oct 25, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151214569824684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 02, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150497841774684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1">Sep 16, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151158225544684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150509151819684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150509150534684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150509143334684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Nov 18, 11 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150401842604684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Oct 26, 11 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150367077429684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jul 30, 11 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150265756769684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1">Sep 13, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151154156734684&set=a.10151154156714684.466635.7816399683&type=1">Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188954683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188949683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188974683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188969683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188964683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188794683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188804683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188814683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188809683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188799683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188729683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188724683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188719683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188709683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188714683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1">Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189174683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189189683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189169683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189184683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1">Dec 25, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151311967144684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Dec 06, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151281090774684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Dec 03, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151275824849684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Nov 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151235871484684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Oct 25, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151214569824684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 02, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150497841774684&set=a.10150497841744684.390208.7816399683&type=1">Sep 16, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151158225544684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150509151819684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150509150534684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jan 07, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150509143334684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Nov 18, 11 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150401842604684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Oct 26, 11 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150367077429684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1"> Jul 30, 11 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150265756769684&set=a.431074164683.231735.7816399683&type=1">Sep 13, 12 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151154156734684&set=a.10151154156714684.466635.7816399683&type=1">Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188954683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188949683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188974683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188969683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188964683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188794683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188804683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188814683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188809683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188799683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188729683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188724683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188719683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188709683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15188714683&set=a.15188574683.21267.7816399683&type=1">Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189174683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189189683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189169683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1"> Jun 15, 08 " data-title="" data-link=" http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=15189184683&set=a.15189099683.21268.7816399683&type=1"> -
Tweets
- Wednesday night! Come see me open for the wonderful Aerosol Constellations and the brillian Fin'r Things! http://t.co/qJvuIuHYDM
- @MotionOfDaOcean Hopefully June!
- Got some rad show announcements and other stuff coming up very soon!
- Hey everybody! While I'm preparing to release some new music, I did this cover! It's a little different from what... http://t.co/vpXo5EvoMY
- Sadly, I have had to cancel my show tonight at CMW and my show tomorrow in Sudbury at the Townehouse. I can't... http://t.co/dwf3wCLmlp
- TONIGHT!!! I'm on at 10:50, then I'll be doing a Joy Division cover set at 12:10! http://t.co/s74iTZXPMR
- Thanks to anyone and everyone for listening tonight and also donating to LU Radio while I was on. Please come out... http://t.co/U0uqQBoPBa
- I will be on CILU radio tonight after 5:30 pm. Likely talking about tips for maintaining your garden or music. Or... http://t.co/iOx0pxddW5
- Ladies and friendtlemen: I'll be playing this upcoming Saturday at Def Sup for the Electronika event! This will be... http://t.co/dXA8egUkut
- Ladies and friendtlemen: I'll be playing this upcoming Saturday at Def Sup for the Electronika event! This will... http://t.co/tUgkpPy8S4
- Ladies and friendtlemen: I'll be playing this upcoming Saturday at Def Sup for the Electronika event! This will be... http://t.co/HNZ95TyKcb
- Ladies and friendtlemen: I'll be playing this upcoming Saturday at Def Sup for the Electronika event! This will... http://t.co/j7S8ooQ2OA
- EVERYONE. The countdown is on: And if I had a watch or a clock or something, I could tell you exactly how far away... http://t.co/WMBRjlVh
- Tomorrow night everybody! Don't be a jabroni, and miss this! OCD is on at 8:30. http://t.co/WsVGskfk
- @alysonshane Thanks Alyson! I hope to make it to Winnipeg to play this summer!
- Planning a March mini-tour. Also, if it would be feasible to build a fire-breathing Papier-mâché snake to encase my body while performing.
- Quick: Does anyone know how to build a bear costume out of saran wrap and carpet glue? It's all I have and I'm in a bind here...Jan 17, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Jan 26 Show! http://t.co/ueGpVJid
- Twenty Twelve http://t.co/xP5zy1NU
-
Bio
OCEAN CITY DEFENDER is the performing name of Ontario-based multi-instrumentalist K. Preston Merkley. Far from the typical sounds of a solo-performer, Ocean City Defender creates lush synthpop songs both on stage and record. Merkley's on stage performance is augmented by the use of video projections, creating a visual momentum to match the pace and intensity of his music.Ocean City Defender's debut EP, The Golden Hour, was released in 2012 to largely positive reviews. Driven by strong vocal melodies, warm synthesizers, hazy guitars, and the steady pulse of drum machines, the collection of 5 songs was called "essential listening" by CBC radio one. Since its release, music from the EP has been featured on TV, in independent films, and Canada-wide on campus radio.Comparisons and influences to Ocean City Defender can be found in bands like New Order, Tears for Fears, M83, and Phoenix.Ocean City Defender has showcased at NXNE, toured Ontario, and provided support for fellow Canadian acts such as The Acorn, Wintersleep, The Most Serene Republic, and Ohbijou.2013 will see the release of Ocean City Defender's Star Tropics EP, a planned LP, and additional festival performances including Canadian Music Week in late-March.
SELECTED PRESS:
“The Golden Hour has set the bar very high for electro-pop in 2012. This is essential listening for anyone with ears and a heartbeat.” - Voyage North (CBC Radio One)
“There is a familiar feeling to the music of Ocean City Defender that wraps itself around the listener like a fuzzy blanket. The lush synth-pop of The Golden Hour weaves danceable beats through earnest, muted vocals and foggy guitars that capture the conflicting urges to dance or just sit and smile at the sun…” - !earshot"[Ocean City Defender's] K. Preston Merkley makes sparkling, HI-NRG, M83-Style synth-pop with wall of sound production." - NXNE
“You don’t have to dig very deep in his material to hear the wide range of 80’s post-punk influences that play out vicariously through a more modern love for warm and dreamy synth-pop. Using a steady wall of lush instrumentals and hazy vocals, OCD’s K. Preston Merkley makes a habit of breaking the pattern you might expect a solo performer to find sanctuary in.” - BIRP.fm
“The mellow waves flow like Simple Minds, New Order (but smoother), Yaz, etc.” - Berkeley Place Blog
