An Interview with Morskie Oko: Exploring the Emotional Depth of Their New Single ‘Sad Girl’
Morskie Oko, the band known for their electrifying mix of post-paradise punk, is unveiling a new side to their sound with the release of Sad Girl which came out on December 13th. After a series of hard-hitting, intense tracks, this new single marks a departure towards something softer, yet still emotionally charged. The song introduces an ethereal atmosphere, complemented by the band’s signature angularity, and explores themes of longing, loss, and the elusive nature of what we chase in life. The track is inspired by lead vocalist Adam Hakes’ fleeting observation of three wildflowers growing in an empty field near his apartment—a moment that symbolizes both the beauty and transience of life.
Morskie Oko is a diverse band with roots spanning across the Pacific—from San Diego to Hawaii, Los Angeles, and even Australia. The members’ varied experiences have contributed to their unique, genre-defying sound. The lineup includes Adam Hakes on guitar and lead vocals, Mark Webber on guitar and backing vocals, Pat Hiller on bass, and Brett Blumberg on drums. Together, they bring a fresh perspective to punk, blending intensity with introspection. In this interview, we chat with the band about the inspiration behind Sad Girl, the evolution of their sound, and what fans can expect from them next.
LISTEN TO SAD GIRL ON SPOTIFY BY CLICKING BELOW.
TELL ME ABOUT THE FORMATION OF MORSKIE OKO. HOW AND WHEN DID THE BAND FORM?
"Morskie Oko began as a project in 2022 with Adam and Pat collaborating on a few demos. They quickly realized they were onto something and began expanding the idea into a full band, which was solidified with Brett completing the rhythm section in early 2023. Mark’s unique style was the glue that brought everything together when he joined later that year, and by the end of 2023, we had established a voice, recorded our first singles, and began performing as the Morskie Oko we are today."
IS THERE A STORY BEHIND THE BAND'S NAME? HOW DID YOU SETTLE ON "MORSKIE OKO" AS YOUR IDENTITY?
"'Morskie Oko' translates to 'Eye of the Sea' in Polish and refers to a mountain near Krakow, where Pat’s family is from. The name pays homage to our origins—all from different places and cultures but bound by a connection to the sea. 'Morskie Oko' also serves as a reminder that this beautiful sea of ours is rapidly dying, and we better get our shit together because Mother Ocean is always watching us."
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LATEST RELEASE, THE SINGLE SAD GIRL, WHICH CAME OUT ON DECEMBER 13TH, 2024. WHAT WAS THE RECORDING PROCESS LIKE?
"Sad Girl showcases a new side of Morskie Oko from what we have released so far, blending our angularity with a bit more atmosphere. Through the recording and mixing process, we intentionally kept a rawness present to make sure our identity continues to shine through. We recorded the instrumental track live in a Chula Vista basement studio and the vocals were later tracked in a garage session, keeping the process close to home. Mark, our guitarist (and an acoustics engineer) handled the recording and brought clarity to the pre-mix while preserving its DIY feel."
"To finalize the track, we handed it over to Limonero Studio in Mexico City, where Brett’s wife is from. Their expert mastering added the finishing touches to what we feel is a deeply personal track."
WHAT IS THE THEME OR MESSAGE YOU ARE TRYING TO GET ACROSS WITH THIS SONG?
"At its heart, Sad Girl is about the human tendency to chase something we think will make life better, even when it’s unattainable. The inspiration came from a moment when Adam walked past a patch of dead flowers by his apartment and thought about this temporary 'shine' we all chase—success, love, or a sense of purpose. Yeah, sad sh*t."
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LYRIC OR LINE FROM THIS SONG THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK MORE ABOUT?
“'Addicted to the shine,' which encapsulates the central theme of Sad Girl. It’s a clear reminder to question whether the pursuit is worth it or if we’re just addicts overlooking what’s already here."
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF PERFORMING LIVE? IS THERE A PARTICULAR ENERGY OR MOMENT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO DURING YOUR SHOWS?
"Performing live is everything to us. We want our music to be heard and felt exactly as we intended it to sound, directly from us to the community we’re writing it for. We’re lucky to be a small part of the underground scene in this beautiful city."
"While we’re a straightforward punk band typically playing 4/4 underneath the surface, we like to write our songs with a few spicy section changes that keeps listeners on their toes. For first-timers (and hopefully, repeat fans), these twists and turns make our shows exciting and often unexpected."
WHAT IS THE CORE MESSAGE/FEELING YOU ARE TRYING TO CONVEY THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?
"Our music is about connection—both to the natural world and to our community. Most of us are experiencing a crisis of identity and community, and the need for new approaches for resilience is higher than ever. We try to explore this on both the micro and macro level with our music."
"While lyrically we can trend towards negative emotions including grief, fear, and loss, we do our best to release these feelings physically through our music to bring hope and defiance, pulling inspiration from the countless punk bands that have come before us."
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR INSPIRATIONS?
"We’re inspired by such diverse global influences that this is tough to keep brief. Right now we’re big on the British scene including IDLES and Fontaines D.C., some Australian risers like Amyl and the Sniffers and Press Club, and some domestic groups like Metz and Cloud Nothings. Locally we’re just thrilled to be a part of this scene and be surrounded by such great acts. We have a Spotify Playlist of our friends and favorites, so please go check them out. And, Adam would quit if we didn’t mention Robert Smith in the answer, so: Robert Smith."
WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE?
"We have one more single getting mixed right now before we wrap this phase of the project and get back into the studio in 2025 to record a few more songs we’re stoked about. Whether these are singles, an EP, or an LP, we’re not quite sure at this point. We just opened for Thunderpussy at the Casbah on December 8th and laying low through the holidays. We’re setting up some more shows in early 2025 in SD and LA so follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop!"
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
"We just want to thank everyone who’s been listening to our music and coming to our shows. To anyone who hasn’t heard us yet—please follow us on Spotify and connect with us on Instagram. See you at the next show."
From the gritty textures of their past tracks to the soft, melancholic beauty of their latest release, it’s clear that this band’s emotional depth and raw energy will continue to resonate with listeners. Keep an eye on Morskie Oko—they’re just getting started.
