“This music means a lot to us. Over the past years, we've poured countless hours into perfecting our songs - forming a team, building friendships, and crafting a world where these melodies can truly live and breathe. Inspired by our life in Andalusia, traveling between Gibraltar and Malaga, this is the soundtrack to our journey.”
Ocean Flor is the collaborative exploration between Ralf Schmidt (aka Aera) and Jesse Trinidad.
With a strong background in DJing, the duo's roots are planted on the dance floor, but they have always been eager to branch out and expand the boundaries of their musical ideas. The sound of Ocean Flor is an amalgamation of contemporary dance music and experimental pop with a romantic, cinematic quality, merging Ralf’s ear for intricate production and inventive sound design with Jesse’s voice and songwriting skills.
Their story traces back to 2015, when Jesse was immersed in musical studies in London. For an essay, he reached out to Ralf to learn about the creative process and underlying concepts behind his productions.
Fate brought them together again soon after, when both were booked to DJ an event in Jesse's hometown of Gibraltar, the British enclave tucked away between Spain and Morocco. Meeting for the first time in person, the two immediately clicked.
Ralf, originally from Northern Germany, spent many of his years in the electronic music mecca of Berlin. Upon relocating to Málaga, he began trading the industrial grit of the North for the warmth and light of the Mediterranean. This evolution is reflected in his sound, honed through years of producing under the Aera moniker with releases on the world’s most prominent labels such as Innervisions and gigs at clubs and festivals worldwide.
Jesse, meanwhile, absorbed the rhythmic pulse of British club culture while studying music production in London, all while staying deeply connected to the rich musical traditions of Southern Spain. Together, they draw inspiration from the rugged landscapes of Andalusia and the rhythmic cycles of life by the sea.
Their visual language captures the emotional and geographical depth of their sound. Each release is accompanied by artwork and videos that bring Ocean Flor’s vision to life, creating a seamless connection between the music and the visual.
Their first release, Bloom, received heavy support from the Keinemusik crew, earning a top spot on their Spotify playlist, while their collaboration "Keep On Coming" with Adana Twins was featured by Pete Tong as his opening track at Coachella.
Their latest project for the prestigious Anjunachill label saw them record a full live stream in the mountains of Andalusia, showcasing a unique live set. Currently, the duo is developing a hybrid DJ set for clubs, merging their skills as seasoned DJs with live interpretations of their songs and on-the-fly cover versions.