Music is an escape of choice for so many of us – and with artists like Coast and Ocean dropping bangers like ‘Lost’, you’ll be whisked into a breezy alternate reality of sun, surf, sand and good times.
Expertly weaving singer-songwriter elements into a fresh musical style of R&B, surf hip-hop & soul, Coast and Ocean (aka South Coast local Alex Johnson) discussed his latest laid-back tune ‘Lost‘, which features a free-flowing track that serves as a two-and-a-half-minute antidote to our anxiety amid these uncertain times.
We had a chat with Alex about everything from inspiring kids from his hometown to his obsession with imagining he’s meeting everyone on the set of Happy Gilmore as part of our Get To Know series.
You can check out what he has to say below – and he’s exactly as cool, calm and chill as you’d imagine him to be from watching the cruisey summer vibes clip to ‘Lost’ that was filmed on the Gold Coast.
How did your artist name come about?
I was sitting quietly playing my guitar, I’d visit Coastal towns and cities busking malls, selling CDs at tourist hotspots. living life and going with the flow. The music and name came naturally. Coast & Ocean
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
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Surf-hop Rnb, I’ve played music to my Omi before, she says it sounds lovely but she can’t hear a word I’m saying.
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
‘Lost’ is about life on tour in Montreux, Luxembourg, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam. Riding bikes 🚲, eating beautiful pasta, wine, Doobing, playing shows across Europe, living a limitless paradise getting ‘Lost’ in romance; travel, music, writing and adventure… All the good things! Positive summer slapper… I freestyled it!
One of my favourites is definitely ‘Cherry Cola’. I love the fun happy vibe – it’s like a sugar rush to your ears. I produced it on my iPhone in Berlin 2019.
The music video was also shot on my iPhone in Queenstown NZ on tour, one of the prettiest towns I have been to.
‘Lindsay Lohan’ is about darkness, feeling alone, abusing yourself, self-sabotage and feeling hopeless, at that low point where you just accept and ease into your inevitable reality. It’s an “It’ll all be okay eventually” type of song.
‘Suntouchers’ ft Phillabustrr (now known as Phi11a) – he recently worked with Trippie Redd. He and I shared a special moment. We are both from low social-economical couch surfing backgrounds with a high rate of drug and alcohol abusers around us. There was bullying in public schools, domestic abuse, and corruption all around us.
We were friends from different worlds but we could relate to each other. I love that dude. He helped me a lot to achieve my dreams when I moved to Sydney and he inspired me heaps. I am grateful for the time we spent making ‘Suntoucher’.
We wrote it for the kids of our hometowns to inspire them to go and touch the sun no matter what!
We are all unique and special and have the right to chase who we are and love ourselves no matter how rich or poor, black or white. Enjoying his company and making music without trying.
What do you love about your hometown?
Lake Heights, skating down big hills, saving up to buy my sector 9, skrrrttt yasss queen! Beautiful characters of Wollongong, some haunted by drug and alcohol use.
Career highlight so far?
Being in the presence of Quincy Jones, Jorja Smith, Lizzo with Alice Hills. Rapping on stage with Montreux Jazz house band at the club. Playing festivals and street shows in Italy, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Montreux Jazz Switzerland, Queenstown, Wellington, Auckland, and more places. Getting “Lost!” Putting out my E.P, Singles and my upcoming Album “It’s A Doobies World” proud of me!
Fave non-music hobby?
Family and friends in nature.
What’s on your dream rider?
Fruit, cookies, tins and Doobies.
Dream music collaboration?
Pharrell, Jay Z.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Madison Square Garden with my family.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
‘Let Me Love You’ – Written by Ne-Yo given as a gift to Mario.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Put money in schools, not prisons. No confidence in comparison.
Be quiet, compassionate and loving to yourself, God loves you… Forgiveness, for yourself first and then forgiveness to others.
Raise yourself as your own child, raise your friends positively and raise your vibration. Let it go. Let the past be where it is, let the present be the most beautiful thing ever forever.
What’s one obsession you have that no one would guess after listening to your music?
I like to imagine meeting everyone on the set of Happy Gilmore back in 96 as their characters in real life and having a big party on the golf course….the ninth hole at nine, it’d be a party! Deep blessings to Adam Sandler. Thank you for a lifetime of joy.
My Plus 1 & 2 would be my Dad and Sister. Let’s go!
‘Lost’ by Coast and Ocean is out now.
Check out ‘Lost’ by Coast and Ocean:
