Artwork: Rutger Zuydervelt // Label: Squeaky Kate Music

Blending pop, classical, and ambient influences, Ocean Songs by Colin Riley, Nic Pendlebury, Steve Pretty and Lottie P also features guest voices from scientists to community choirs. In this ‘docu-pop’ environmental project, the four artists and their collaborators explore whales, waves, mythology and climate.

Spoken-word contributions from Helen Czerski and George Monbiot include Czerski reading extracts from her award-winning book Blue Machine: How the Ocean Shapes our World (Penguin Books) – a major influence on the project – and Monbiot explaining how whales impact the climate.

More footage and music from the project can be found at our Releases page.

Community engagement

The project was designed with an option for local musicians to participate in the performance. Parts for soprano and alto voices allow us to involve community choirs, youth groups and more. The choir features in three songs: ‘Sirens’, ‘Every Wave’, and ‘We Are Ocean’.

For performances of Ocean Songs we can include a prior workshop (if required) with local school, community or other singers who then participate in a public performance. Contact us at sonic.collaborations@gmail.com for a resource pack and further information.

Blue Machine Choir rehearse at the National Maritime Museum, London, 2025

First Light Voices onstage at First Light Festival, Lowestoft, 2025 – image (c) Adam Barnes

Ocean Songs was a joint commission in 2025 by First Light Festival CIC, Royal Museums Greenwich, Messums and Ocean Rising.

For press and performance enquiries contact sonic.collaborations@gmail.com.