The Urban Sea shares Dynamic New Single + Video 'My Own Time'

With sparkling melodics and a stirring core, the new single My Own Time out today from Brisbane indie rockers The Urban Sea bustles with swagger, heart and sanguine charm. Equally a groove-maker and core-shaker, My Own Time also arrives today with an accompanying music video that hovers between live performance and a poignant reflection of the emotive lyricism throughout.

Energetic and relatable, My Own Time captures a universal emotional narrative, detailing a relationship that has reached its natural end while also seeking empowerment to find closure against the heartbreak. Sonically, My Own Time mirrors the lyrical reclamation of strength, with the track's upbeat grooves, propellant buoyancy and carefully curated arrangements calling to mind the emotional depth of Gang of Youths and the melodic energy of fellow Brisbane indie rockers Ball Park Music. "There's a bit of Arctic Monkeys swagger and Spacey Jane jangle in there, especially in how we approached the arrangements," shares songwriter Shanan Kilner. "My Own Time came from a pretty emotional place during a breakup where I was ready to move on, but my ex was struggling to let go. The relationship had reached its end, and deep down, we both knew it. Writing this song was my way of processing those feelings and realising that sometimes the healthiest thing to do is move on. The line, "You got love on your lips but blood on your hands," sums it up. There was still affection, but we both had a hand in why things didn't work out. It's not about blame, but about recognising that love alone couldn't fix what was broken. I wanted to move forward without rehashing old arguments or trying to pin down who was at fault, which is where the lines "I got no more coins for that wishing well" and "lay low and let it go" came from - sheer exhaustion from going over the same things again and again. The bridge "In my own time, get my feet back on the ground" was a reminder to myself that healing takes time and it's okay to take things at your own pace. When I first wrote it, it felt like a release."

"I didn't want the song to be heavy or sad, even though the emotions were. The upbeat indie vibe reflects that sense of freedom that comes with finally letting go, even when it's hard. I think we've all been in situations where we know it's time to move on, but the comfort of the familiar pulls us back. It's not about heartache - it's about strength, about taking control of your own life and time. I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling of needing to reclaim their space after a relationship ends. Writing this song helped me find that closure, and I hope it resonates with anyone else who's ready for their own fresh start."

Recorded by Steve Kempnich (Powderfinger, Megan Washington, Shag Rock) and mastered by Mathew Grey (Eskimo Joe, Sarah Blasko), My Own Time sprinkles in some acoustic alchemy along with potent indie rock flavours, with the track's music video tactfully also illustrating the lyrical content and nodding to some of their earlier work, as the band elaborate, "The video for My Own Time plays on the theme of struggling to let go of the past. The protagonist attempts to burn Polaroid photos representing the relationship.. These photos refuse to burn, symbolising memories that refuse to fade and a relationship that is lingering. In the end, the character leaves the box of photos next to the fire, and walks away, representing the decision to move on. The setting by the fire not only ties into the themes of release but also allows us to play with shadow and light, creating silhouettes throughout the video, which links back to the EP's title. We loved the idea of using the same imagery from the artwork to create a connection."

With a truly modern origin story, stemming from when vocalist and guitarist Chris Macdonald and guitarist Shanan Kilner met on a musician's classified website ("basically Tinder for musos", says the group), The Urban Sea emerged in 2019 and quickly became a fixture in the thriving Brisbane indie scene. Helmed by a creative fluidity that initially blended indie rock with touches of soul and R&B, the band have since evolved over the years to embrace a more acoustic-driven indie style along with a solidified lineup of Macdonald and Kilner as well as keyboardist Jack Gooden, drummer Troy Thorpe and bassist Rhys Fox, now channelling the more energetic edge of their earlier days into a more refined and emotionally resonant vibe. With their name reflective of the ebb and flow of the ocean itself meeting the bustle of urban life, The Urban Sea have previously ticked off performances at many iconic Brisbane venues, including The Zoo and Black Bear Lodge, as well as appearances at Woodford Folk Festival and the FIFA Women's World Cup Fan Festival. Via their recent EP Sunsets and Silhouettes, the group again showcased their ever-maturing sound, blending thoughtful songwriting with raw, intimate and expansive arrangements. Now with a brand new EP Sunsets and Silhouettes set for release in February 2025, there is guaranteed to be even more The Urban Sea magic to come, balancing emotion with moments of peace and clarity. And My Own Time is a perfect and personal palette cleanser as The Urban Sea shift deeper into this exciting new creative chapter.

"Releasing My Own Time feels like finally sharing a piece of ourselves that we've been holding onto for a while," the band concludes. "The song is very personal, but it also has this universal energy that we hope people will connect with. We've poured a lot into the arrangements and lyrics to capture that push-and-pull of moving on, and now it's time to let it go and see how it resonates with listeners. There's a certain catharsis in putting it out there - we're excited to see how people interpret and feel the song."

THE URBAN SEA – MY OWN TIME – Official single artwork

Interview with The Urban Sea

How would you describe your music?

Our music is like a road trip soundtrack - perfect for fun times, but honest about the bumps along the way. It's rooted in indie and rock, with a dose of soul and stories that anyone can connect with. You could say we're the friends who bring the energy, but also know when it's time to get real.

Can you tell us about My Own Time?

My Own Time is a bit of a "breakup anthem," but it's all about keeping things upbeat. It's got jangly, upbeat chords that carry a sense of freedom, but the dynamics are a bit up and down - reflecting the emotional push and pull that goes on in a breakup.It's about realising when something's run its course and choosing your own path forward. There's bonfires, goodbyes, and that sense of closure all wrapped up in a track that makes you want to move. Or move on.

What inspired My Own Time?

My Own Time came from a pretty emotional place. It's a song about reaching the end of a relationship and knowing it's time to move on, even when that's hard. There was still a lot of affection between us, but deep down, we both knew it couldn't work. Writing it felt like a release; I wanted to keep the vibe positive and remind myself that sometimes walking away is a step toward strength, not loss. Lines like "You got love on your lips but blood on your hands" capture that bittersweet feeling of knowing it's over and there's too much to come back from. It's upbeat because letting go can be freeing, not heavy, and I hope it resonates with anyone needing that reminder. 

Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Honestly, we just want to move people - whether that's emotionally or physically. Our goal is to capture that balance between having a good time and diving into life's deeper moments. There's always a layer of emotional depth in our songs, even the upbeat ones, because life's never just one thing. If listeners walk away feeling like they've been able to let loose, reflect, or just connect to something real, we've done our job.

What motivates you most when writing music?

I guess, it's just the random stuff life throws at you. Music's a way to get out all the highs, lows, and "what am I doing with my life" moments. I'm not much of a talker, so putting it into a song is like my own therapy. Sometimes, it's as simple as a phrase that sticks or a rhythm that won't quit. Whatever it is, we try to capture it in a way that connects with people, giving them that same release.

Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

We're all about supporting the local/Australian scene, so you'll often catch us playing bands like Lucid Safari and The Moving Stills. There's something inspiring about seeing local acts evolve and bring fresh energy and we love discovering new bands. For the more introspective vibes, we've been leaning into Sam Fender and Medium Build lately. Fender's tracks have that raw emotional pull we connect with, and Medium Build captures something real with his storytelling. Both artists remind us to keep it honest and a bit gritty, which really resonates with our sound right now.

My parents' record collection. Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Pink Floyd. Those albums showed me how music could capture emotions and paint entire stories. Then, I discovered Rage Against the Machine and punk, adding that punch of energy. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I found the drive to make music that blends heart and rawness.

If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Gang of Youths. Hands down. They've got that mix of soul and storytelling we really vibe with, and we'd love to create something that punches you in the gut in the best way.

 Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

We thought it was all about playing shows and living the rock and roll life. Turns out, it's a lot more emails, spreadsheets, and tiktok dances than we expected!

What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Balancing the music with the day-to-day. The gigs are great, but keeping things afloat off-stage is another story. You want to find the time just to write and perform songs but you're expected to be a manager, booking agent, promoter, and influencer all at once.  

What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Honestly, the connections. Seeing people singing along, getting messages from listeners who say a song hit home - that's the best. Nothing beats the feeling of knowing your music resonates.

What's a typical day like?

Sadly, we all still have our day jobs... so it's all about pulling up alright after a late rehearsal or a gig and not letting the red eyes give us away.

What advice do you have for aspiring songwriters or artists?

Stay curious. Listen to everything, even genres you think you don't like. Inspiration comes from the most random places.

What's next, for you?

We're gearing up for our EP Sunsets and Silhouettes, dropping early next year, and we'll be taking it on the road with an East Coast tour. More music, more shows, and a lot of energy coming your way!