The Southern Ocean Sea Band
Port Fairy’s own Southern Ocean Sea Band has been taking audiences on immersive journeys through local history and legend for the past eight years. The band was born from the late Danny Spooner’s beloved Shanties at the Wharf sessions and continues to carry that spirit forward. Drawing inspiration from their coastal hometown, they released their debut album ‘Blood & Bones & Fins & Glory’ in 2017—a sweeping collection of songs steeped in maritime lore.
With a large and evolving line-up, SOSB has toured across regional Victoria, sharing their love of shanties and storytelling. Highlights over the years include performing with Steve Poltz and Rebecca Barnard at the 2018 Pogues Tribute, a historical walking tour in 2019, and a Scottish celebration with the Warrnambool Pipe Band in 2020. In 2022, they honoured the late Kate Gane with a memorial concert.
2023 saw the release of their second album ‘Into the Blue’. In 2024, they launched ‘By The Sea Vol. 1’ with the Tin Shed Singers and performed a tribute to Shane MacGowan. At the 2025 Port Fairy Folk Festival, SOSB released ‘By The Sea Vol. 2’ and opened the Shebeen on Sunday morning and filled the Wharf and Lecture Hall with Shanty singalongs.