Alec Duckart, the 26-year-old indie musician known as Searows, has released his second album Death in the Business of Whaling, drawing inspiration from Herman Melville's Moby-Dick despite never having read the novel. Instead, Duckart performed in a school production of the book, which sparked his fascination with the ocean's darker side. 'The violent, monster type of ocean has always been really fascinating and terrifying to me,' he explained.
Duckart rose to fame on TikTok during the pandemic with gossamer vocals and candid lyrics about isolation and heartbreak. His new album marks a departure from confessional songwriting, exploring themes of memory, regret and death through characters and world-building. 'I felt stuck in confessional storytelling,' he said. 'It has to turn into something else.'
The album was recorded at a professional studio in Washington state with producer Trevor Spencer, known for work with Father John Misty and Fleet Foxes. Duckart, who previously guarded his songwriting process, found relinquishing control 'incredible and scary' but beneficial. The record includes tracks like 'Junie,' inspired by his high-school guidance counsellor, and 'Geese,' which references Mary Oliver's poem 'Wild Geese.'
Before committing to music full-time, Duckart worked at a retirement home, shaping his perspective on death and ageing. He sometimes wonders if his music career is as meaningful as that job. The album's title borrows from Moby-Dick, and its dark maritime threads weave through songs about 'bones and whales and the ocean in general.' With polished production and eerie calmness, Death in the Business of Whaling signals a confident new direction for the artist.
