In a series of indietronica releases trickled out over the past couple years, Melbourne creative and producer ORCHA has presented himself as an innovative and established musician whose unique artistry blurs the line between classical and electronica. Following from his breakthrough singles ‘Reverie’ and ‘Depths’ of 2019 as well as recent favourite ‘Atlas’ this year, the rising artist is thrilled to present his latest single ‘Euphoria’ and finally welcome the imminent arrival of his forthcoming debut album Reflections. 

Deconstructing traditional norms of the violin as his primary instrument, ORCHA has once again woven an intricate and immersive soundscape on the aptly titled ‘Euphoria’, out today. Leaning into his seasoned musicianship as a jazz and classically trained artist, whilst experimenting with textural elements through his effects pedals and Ableton Live, ORCHA’s latest single builds to blissful ascension before carefully depositing the listener back down to earth.

“Euphoria is a track I wrote about searching for experiences which give that joyful, euphoric feeling of being alive. It’s a song about being hopeful and optimistic, always seeking those transient moments of elation in between periods of ordinary everyday life, a never-ending staircase towards exultation. It’s like the light at the end of the tunnel that slowly grows brighter, but always seems to stay so far away and distant; continually calling to you with each step. I wanted to try and capture the idea of those moments of euphoria within this track, using rising and falling melodies, dreamy strings and violin run through a modular synthesizer. All the sounds are created using violin effects and samples with drums and bass providing the ground and vocals providing the meaning.” – ORCHA

ORCHA’s new album Reflections, while anchored in experimentation, is his most melodic work to date; fuelled by lush vocals and textured melodies, which unfurl into a mesmerising sonic universe entirely of his own making. Slated for release Friday 20 November, the album explores different states of mind such as isolation, joy and grief, focusing on the mysteries of the human experience and the universe that ORCHA resides in. Awarded a Creative Victoria grant to finance the LP, ORCHA has immersed himself fully in the process, even building his own recording studio to record the album. Working with multiple producers such as James Cecil (Architecture in Helsinki), Robert P. Downie (Hemm) and Luis Kennett (Luboku) he says the record is a refinement of his previous work.

“I started writing this album thinking about how we all have this unique lens that we view life through, it’s almost distorted or reflected back by our past experiences, by our state of mind and by our place in time and space. Depending on my state of mind, many aspects of life can be viewed in so many different ways and it’s often hard to see the truth. I wanted to try to portray those different ‘lenses’ in each track and in some way understand the truth of my life. I wrote and recorded most of the songs in a studio I set up myself, taking the first 6 months to renovate and soundproof an old flooring shop in Preston (Melbourne). I named the studio ‘Natural Habitat’ with the idea that it would be a safe place for creativity, vulnerability and to foster all kinds of artistic expression. Over the next two years I recorded and produced most of the album myself, learning as I went along, and experimenting with violin sounds and effects pedals. I found collaborating with other Melbourne artists on drums, bass and production added a lot to the original ideas of the songs and lifted them to a whole new level. The songs slowly formed to become about mental health, finding ways to cope with the anxieties of human life and the existential questions about my reality. I have struggled with anxiety/depression over the last 5 years and writing these songs has really helped me understand more about myself, and my place in the universe. I hope that others might relate to my perspective on life and take something from it for themselves.” – ORCHA

Focus single 'Euphoria' is out now via AWAL

ORCHA's debut album
Reflections is out
Friday 20 November
via AWAL

Reflections
1. Rise
2. Reflections
3. Atlas
4. Falling
5. Depths
6. Headrush
7. Transience
8. Tomorrow
9. Euphoria
10. Reverie
11. Take Your Time
12. Fade

Focus single 'Euphoria' is out now via AWAL

ORCHA's debut album
Reflections is out
Friday 20 November
via AWAL

'Euphoria' Credits
Written by Matt Sheers

Produced by Matt Sheers x Robert P. Downie x Luis Kennett

Vocals – Matt Sheers

Strings and violin synths – Matt Sheers

Bass – Geordie Schellhorn

Drums – Crispin Newmarch

Mixed by Luis Kennett

Mastered by Becki Whitton

Reflections Credits
All sounds created using violin, vocals, drums and bass. 

All songs written and recorded by Matt Sheers except ‘Take Your Time’ written by Matt Sheers and Julia Webster.

All songs recorded at Natural Habitat Studios and Super Melody World.

Artwork and cover design by Sam Ingles.

FOLLOW ORCHA
Website Facebook Instagram Bandcamp Streaming