Indian Ocean was one of the many short-lived outlets for avant-gardist Arthur Russell's love of dance music. The multi-instrumentalist and composer, who might be known more for his cello work than his contribution to the underground New York club scene of the late '70s and early '80s, released the Indian Ocean single "Tree House/School Bell" in 1986. It was one of his last dance-related productions and was released on Sleeping Bag, the label he started earlier in the decade with William Socolov.