Image via Tyler Bell / The Sauce // 

Is it weird that now I want a full open world game centred around the band…

In a crossover that no longtime or new fan of Ocean Alley would ever expect, the eternal rockers have today released a video game inspired music video for their latest single ‘West Coast’, and needless to say, the game in question is definitely one that’ll get the nostalgia going.

The new clip (directed by Jamieson Kerr) sees the coastal-residing psych outfit throw themselves (or rather, be thrown), into the world of Grand Theft Auto V for a seedy and fiery visualiser. Frontman Baden Donegal assumes the role of the main character in this number, a hanging camera following him from behind as he explores desert landscapes, climbs mountains and fights other characters, in the form of his fellow Ocean Alley band members.

And of course, old mate adheres to the iconic GTA tradition of carjacking an innocent bystander. Following this, we get treated to a sequence of him driving through the streets of Sydney, however, in what’s definitely a first for any GTA game (music video or not), he gets in zero crashes throughout his travels. It ultimately culminates in the singer finding himself on stage at a legit festival, all the while maintaining the act of being a video game character (I for one would’ve loved to be in the crowd while this was happening).

Speaking on how Grand Theft Auto V found its way into the Ocean Alley universe, the band explain, “The song sounds like it’s part of the GTA soundtrack, so we thought it would match up well. Mimicking the video game style movements of NPCs was a challenge but it was fun to have everyone involved in the film clip and give their acting skills a crack.”

Definitely one of the more innovative (and entertaining) Aussie music videos to be released this year. Ocean Alley’s new visualiser for ‘West Coast is out now. Check it above along with their upcoming Aussie shows below.

Friday 21 April – Adelaide Showground, Wayville, SA
Saturday 22 April – Maitland Showground, Maitland, NSW
Sunday 23 April – Exhibition Park In Canberra, ACT
Saturday 29 April 2023 – Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo, VIC
Sunday 30 April – Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Warana QLD
Saturday 6 May – Hay Park, WA