Meersein on their new EP "OCEAN"
- Eryk The Strange
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduce yourself to the readers
Hello everyone, I'm Jan, the person behind MEERSEIN. It's a solo synth pop project from Germany where I combine my love for atmospheric electronic music with storytelling that is deeply personal. Every song begins with an emotion or an image that stays with me until it becomes music. With my debut EP OCEAN, I wanted to create more than just a collection of songs. I wanted listeners to feel like they're entering a world where the sea becomes a metaphor for identity, love, memory, and the relationship between humanity and nature.
What was the inspiration for your band name?
The name means “to be the ocean”. The sea has always been the place where I can clear my thoughts and reconnect with myself. Whenever life becomes loud, I instinctively find my way back to the water. "MEERSEIN" reflects exactly that state—not standing beside the ocean, but becoming part of it. It represents calm, movement, depth, and accepting that life, like the tides, is constantly changing
What are some of your musical influences?
I grew up with a lot of music from the 1980s, and you can certainly hear that in MEERSEIN. Artists like Depeche Mode taught me that electronic music can be both powerful and deeply emotional. I'm equally inspired by post-punk, dark wave and cinematic soundscapes. I enjoy music that creates atmosphere instead of simply filling silence. That's probably the biggest influence on my own writing.
Can you sum up the message of the OCEAN EP?
OCEAN is about learning from the sea instead of trying to conquer it. Each song looks at that idea from a different perspective. Sometimes the ocean becomes a place of healing, sometimes a warning, sometimes a symbol of love or mystery. Together, the songs ask us to reconnect—with nature, with our emotions, and ultimately with ourselves.
How long were you working on this album, and what does your songwriting process look like?
The EP developed over quite a long period because I never write under pressure. Usually, everything starts with a title or a strong image. Once I know what the song wants to express, I begin composing the music. I work through notation rather than recording ideas directly into a DAW, so every arrangement is carefully thought out before production even begins. Only after the composition is finished do I move into sound design together with my sound engineer.
Tell us about the cover art. Did you make it?
Yes, I created the artwork myself. For the front cover, I started with a royalty-free stock image that I discovered online and then reworked it extensively to fit the visual identity of MEERSEIN and the atmosphere of OCEAN. Everything beyond that—the complete CD artwork and especially the booklet—was designed entirely by me. I have to admit, creating the booklet was much more time-consuming than I expected. It turned out to be a real creative challenge, but one that I genuinely enjoyed. In the end, I'm very happy with the result. I wanted the artwork to reflect two essential elements of the project: the vastness and emotion of the ocean, and the purple color palette that has become a visual signature of MEERSEIN. I think the artwork complements the music and helps immerse the listener in the world of OCEAN before they even hear the first note.
What inspired you to do a song about The Little Mermaid?
I've always been fascinated by the original emotional conflict behind the story. Most people remember The Little Mermaid as a romantic fairy tale, but underneath it lies a much deeper question: What are we willing to sacrifice for love? Identity? Our voice? Our home? That's what interested me. I wanted Ariel to become a symbol of personal transformation rather than simply retelling a familiar story.
Tell us about the music scene in your part of Germany.
Northern Germany has a very diverse music scene. There are passionate audiences for alternative music, dark wave, metal, electronic music and many other genres. I especially appreciate how supportive musicians can be toward each other.Of course, it's not always easy for independent artists, but that's also what makes the scene exciting. There are many people creating music because they genuinely love it, not because they're chasing trends.
Do you have any upcoming live shows?
Yes, there are already plans for more live performances, and I'm really looking forward to bringing the songs from OCEAN onto the stage. The best place to stay up to date is through my social media channels and my website, where all upcoming concerts and news will be announced.
Describe the most interesting show venue bathroom you’ve ever visited.
That's probably the funniest question I've ever been asked. I honestly don't remember a spectacular bathroom, but I do remember realizing that backstage areas tell the real stories of live music. Tiny mirrors covered in stickers, old tour posters, musicians warming up in hallways—it all has a certain charm. Sometimes the smallest rooms in a venue carry the biggest memories.
What message or words of wisdom do you have for anyone who reads this?
Don't be afraid to stay true to yourself, even if your path takes a little longer than someone else's.The world often tells us to become faster, louder, or more successful. But some of the most meaningful things need time to grow. And if life ever becomes overwhelming, find your own ocean—whatever that may be. We all need a place that reminds us who we are.
If you enjoyed reading this, make sure you check out the OCEAN EP, and give Meersein a follow!
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