OCEANA HEARTSONG TALKS HEADPHONES ON
"Allowing myself to get lost in the music"
Daniel John
One could easily initially think Oceana Heartsong would be an artist name as it is just so perfect for you, but this is actually your real name?
(Laughs) Yes it’s my real name, so thanks to my parents I guess! Being from Hawaii it basically means ocean. My mom actually wanted to name me Shea and my dad wanted to name me Ana then one day my dad walked in the room and was like what about “Oceana” and that was it. As for my last name my parents decided to give me my own so I am the only one in the family with Heartsong.
Growing up on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, you were worlds apart from Swedish Joakim Lundell and Belgian producer HIDDN. I guess it is an example of how music brings people together, how did this collaboration fall into place?
This collab fell into place after I started releasing music last year, and the label that Joakim and HIDDN are with found my song 'Deep4tears'. They reached out to me about a potential record deal. I did not end up taking the deal, but they asked if I wanted to sing 'Headphones On', which they already had written and produced. I happily jumped on vocals and we made this collaboration happen, across a continent and an ocean!
Maybe you’ll come on tour here someday! Is there anything you hope to convey to the world through all your music?
I would love to come tour there one day! I hope to convey self-acceptance and self-love, which I think we all struggle with, through my music, because if you can't be solid for yourself then it is really tough to be present for those around you.
What is 'Headphones On' about for you?
For me this song is about giving up control over the things I don’t have control over and just allowing myself to get lost in the music, but the good kind of lost.
What artists lived in your headphones growing up. Artists which perhaps influenced you in ways that still show up now?
Oof, hard question because there is way too many, like most artists say. First and foremost my dad was always playing guitar and singing while I was growing up, so definitely him, as well as Jack Johnson, Angus and Julia Stone, Neil Young, Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, and a lot of indie and old rock. In more recent years I have listened to mostly RnB-pop, so a lot of Jessie Reyes, Pink Sweats, Big Piig, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande as well as Tom Misch and FKJ and so many more, but I’ll end it here (laughs).
When was it you moved out to Los Angeles?
I moved to LA about five years ago when I was seventeen and I have been here on and off ever since. Fun fact, I originally moved for acting then long story short, I broke my knee and had to get open knee surgery which put me down in bed for months so that’s when I became obsessed with music.
How important do you feel it is to surrounded yourself with the right people, at this point of your life and artistry?
This is my favourite question, because honestly it has never felt more important to surround myself with the right people than it does right now. I have been in the wrong crowd one too many times and therefore I'm hyper focused right now on being around people who will only positively affect my life, help lift me up and keep me grounded.
Since debuting last year with 'Sheets of Rain', you have been incredibly prolific, that kind of consistency only really comes from real talent and hard dedication. What does it mean to you to know your music is being heard around the world?
Thank you so much, that means a lot! It is truly shocking in the best way to have people from all different parts of the world listen to my songs. And I am filled with gratitude and amazement by it. So thank you to anyone listening to my music, you are special and I seriously appreciate you. Love you and hope to see you on that tour one day!
