The Frozen Ocean | “The Frozen Ocean in Exile”
Written By: Joanna Lugo

orship is a lifestyle. It is a choice to be set apart from all others to God and an attempt at picking up our crosses on a daily basis.  Music is one of many outlets of worship and is intended to be a stirring up of our affections for the Lord. In The Frozen Ocean’s new album entitled In Exile, David Swanson seems to use his music as such an outlet, seeking to encourage all listeners. Perhaps this album can be viewed as a source of divine inspiration or a means of praise, or maybe even a love story or the history of the fall of man. In Exile may be the depiction of the fall in the form of a love letter. After all, isn’t the fall of man ultimately the story of God’s love and mercy on His children? Whatever this album may mean to you as an individual it is evident that In Exile is the type of album in which you cannot ignore any single component, whether it be the incorporation of an Irish-type twang, a symphony of instrumental beauty, or a stimulating lyric. This is an album that reverberates in your soul and arouses curiosity, and it has been created, fashioned, and formed by predominately one man, David Swanson.

As musicians we all have someone or something that inspires us, stirs a deep and flowing passion in our hearts, or stimulates a certain mindset. It is obvious that Christ is stirring your affections for Him through your music, however, what exactly is the intended and overall purpose of this experimental project?

Dave Swanson: The initial purpose was to be a creative outlet that was very different from the bands I was playing in at the time. I’m constantly writing and it got to the point where I had all these mini songs and ideas that didn’t fit anywhere so The Frozen Ocean became the recipient of all of them. That was 2007-08 so things have changed a little bit since then. I no longer play in any full-time bands so I’m able to give more time and attention to the writing process. Part of the purpose is still to satisfy that same creative outlet, but more importantly I hope the music inspires and encourages people.

There seems to be an element of spontaneous worship throughout the album. Can you discuss what that means to you and how you go about incorporating worship in your music?

DS: That’s an interesting question. I believe as a Christian that worship is a lifestyle devoted to God, not a specific act or moment in time. So even though I wouldn’t necessarily classify my music as worship, the subjects that I talk about are grounded in the belief that God is just and above my limited understanding.

Though your music is deemed a solo project, you have also chosen to collaborate and feature artists such as Matt Greiner and Andy Nelson. Walk us through what this musical writing and collaborative process looks like for you.

DS: Sure. Typically what happens is I will write and record the entire song, usually leaving drums for last. I’ll have a good idea of what I hear in my head for possible parts, but will let whoever is drumming have creative freedom to take it in a direction that I wouldn’t have thought of. A great example of this is the first song, “Caught in the Air”. The song was pretty much done when Matt came in to record his parts. Initially the song only had a kick loop with some random percussion on top, nothing substantial. After talking about it we both decided it needed something with more energy so he messed around with parts for an hour or so and it just morphed into something much better than what I can first created. I totally thrive on things like that, especially with musicians who aren’t afraid to make decisions in the moment.

What different genres and styles influence and take part in your songs, and why have you strategically placed them throughout the album?

DS: Influences for me are always specific songs or artists and are either long term or short term. Long term influences are bands that will always influence the way I write and have in some way shaped me musically. Some of those bands are Pink Floyd, Pedro the Lion, Mark Knopfler, U2 and Bruce Springsteen. Short term influences are bands that had an impact on my just as I was writing and recording In Exile. Some of those this time around were Gaslight Anthem, Mat Kearney “City of Black and White” and Daniel Lanois. As far as song placement I don’t over think it too much. I want the album to flow well and be as cohesive as possible.

What are some of the general themes you focus on in your lyrics?

DS: General themes tend to be relationships, God, faith, doubt and redemption.

How do you convey the story of redemption through use of titles and lyrics such as “All I have to give, has long ago been given” or the song “Empty Seed”?

DS: Well the lyric above from the song “Drawing Circles in the Sand” is not very redemptive (laughs). Basically it’s about a guy who wastes his life trying to make a great name for himself. He comes to the end of his life and realizes that everything he’s been given to steward he’s wasted and that in the eyes of eternity a lifetime on earth is a mist. Here one second and gone the next. “Empty Seed” is a song I wrote to my wife before we got married. It’s probably the simplest song I’ve ever written at least lyrically, and basically states that my love for her is not an empty promise but something that will grow with time.

What does being in exile mean to you?

DS: The idea of the album title stems from the story in Genesis where Adam and Eve disobey God and are cast out from the Garden of Eden. They lived in this place that is much like what Heaven will be (perfect union with God, no sickness, disease or death) and because of sin were exiled from the Garden. Ever since then we have had to live with the consequences of that decision (death, sin, pain etc) and are living with the hope of returning to that place of perfect union with God when we die.