ORB – Tailem Bend

By starrymag | September 6, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Psychedelic rock

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) When the band started out, we were inspired by bands like Hawkwind, Sabbath, Roxy Music, CAN, King Crimson, etc., etc. We’re still influenced by these bands but aren’t afraid to draw from anything we like.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Karma Comes.”

A) It’s about a man who decides to walk through the fire and accept the challenges he’s given as a positive thing. It’s about how living with this frame of mind will reward you in the long run. It can be difficult when the people around you are taking the quick, easy and convenient path, but ultimately you get back what you put in.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I’m glad to hear they connect to it! Perhaps it’s the unorthodox chords in the verse and the tension relief when it gets the simple chords in the chorus? Also, everybody gets this challenge, and they can handle it – so in a way everyone can relate to it, no matter how big or small their problem is.

Q) What made it the perfect follow up to “Can’t Do That?”

A) It was going to be the first single, but the labels thought it’d be better to release a higher energy song first – with fuzz and all – so as to not completely loose our audience hah.

Q) Does the video for the “Karma Comes” play into the message behind it?

A) Yes! In an abstract and subliminal way. The lead actor (Nick Van Bakel – Bananagun) was actually an inspiration for the song.

Q) The new LP is called Tailem Bend. I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask where the name comes from.

A) It’s the name of a town in Australia. It’s a nice town with a nice name that means “a bend in the river” or “a change in direction.”

Q) Which track(s) on the song are a favorite for you and why?

A) Personally, I like “Karma Comes” as it’s a different sound for us, same with “Skyclock.” I like how “You Do” turned out and I think “Commandment” is our best heavy track yet.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It varies with ORB. Majority is written through jams and then lyrics are shoehorned in later. Although usually one or two tracks on the album that written in a more “traditional” way.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) A little bit while we’re tracking, especially if we’re doing some over dubs at home. But this album was the first time we’ve had extra production help from Tim Dunn who engineered and mixed it also. He gave us space and textures in the sound we’d never had before.

Q) What do you hope lingers with audiences that explore the LP as a whole – whether as an emotion or message?

A) Perhaps a sense of curiosity and inspiration to go and create your own stuff.

Q) With Tailem Bend out, will there be a tour to follow soon?

A) We should be on tour now but had to cancel due to injury! We will get to it when we can.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I’m happy playing with the people I already play with. Good musical relationships take years to cultivate – and it’s not always about the music. The chemistry and shared philosophies play an integral part in how the music comes out.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Currently I’m listening to Roy Buchanan’s session work from the 50s and 60s. He’s an electric guitar player from South California, your favorite guitar player’s favorite guitar player type thing. He is absolutely brilliant and was decades ahead of his time in some of his techniques. I would say he’s genius, but most likely he’s just spent a hell of a lot of time playing his guitar.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you very much. It means a lot and I love hearing stories of kids starting to play music as result of hearing our band – that blows me away.

 

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Zak Olsen