is a cinematographic instrumental rock music band based in Montreal.

Man an Ocean

David Ratté creates the project of Man an Ocean in 2007, as the result of a fading interest in pop music and the absolute need of a more emotional, visual and personal musical quest.

Man an Ocean’s instrumental compositions can easily transport one’s imagination in a journey of contradictory feelings and emotions. With a cinematographic feel to it, this artist brings us with him in the most hidden chambers of his life and personal experience.

David Ratté, born in Baie-des-Sables, Gaspésie, moves to Montréal in 2005. Guitarist, yet acquainted with many other instruments, he does everything from guitar to piano and xylophone, from glockenspiel to percussion, even recording and mixing. Former audio designer for videogames at Ubisoft Montreal, he also collaborates as a guitarist with Frank Fuller and his side project Lucien Midnight.

Man an Ocean is an independent project financed on its own. This Is Not About Who’s Gonna Win, the first album, came out in 2008 and was sold independently in more than 1500 copies reaching even music lovers in Slovakia, Romania, France, South America, Italy and many other countries. The songs on this album, Bushido in particular, caught the attention of the well-known Radio-Canada VJ Claude Rajotte who would play it incessantly in his Sunday show on air. This composition is for Mr. Rajotte a successful mix of Érik Satie and Dead Can Dance. Man an Ocean admits being influenced and inspired by various artists, from Portishead to Yann Tiersen, Mogwai to Sigur Ros.

Rafaël Ouellet, former director for the channel Musique Plus and in present directing his own films, decided to collaborate with Man an Ocean for the soundtrack of his most recent film, New Denmark. A few songs from the debut album were chosen for the soundtrack, as well as Libre, enfin (Fields/Hurricanes) which became the theme song of the film.

In July 2009, New Denmark is selected for the renowned International Film Festival of Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic. In November 2009, it is selected for the International Film Festival of Torino in Italy.

Fields/Hurricanes, Man an Ocean’s second album

This album is the result of a year of tumult for Man an Ocean, from quitting a well-paid job in a modern technology company, to surviving a failed romantic liaison and traveling to Ireland in order to find the answer for his inner struggles. The trip inside Ireland was solely sustained by playing guitar on the streets, an experience reminding of Once, by John Carney.

Including fourteen songs for a total play time of an hour, the album makes us travel between the opposites sides of a universe. The first part, Fields, is a statement of inner calm and hope, a positive feeling that allows us to dream of a brighter day. In Hurricanes, the second part, on the contrary, we step in a dark, intense and somber world, hardly containing an anger of unmeasured latitudes. With the purpose of creating the best visual journey for his audience, Man an Ocean involves in his project Daniel Fontaine-Bégin, a cinema sound professional, who will become in charge of the final mix and the mastering of the album.

Everything is set… All we need to do is close our eyes and embrace the world exposed of this talented musician.