Hailing from the remote cliffs, panoramic views and “hidden” civilisation
of the Faroe Islands Orka was always bound to be different
but the fact that these boys build their own instruments is
what makes them truly unique !
Orka’s debut album "Livandi oyða" (CD+DVD) was recorded
at Niels L. Thomsen’s farm Innan Glyvur, Faroe Islands, by Orka founder
Jens L.
Thomsen. All instruments heard on the record were built during Christmas 2005
by Jens, family and friends using scrap material and power tools found at the
farm. After finishing building the instruments
Jens started composing and recording together with Jógvan Andreas á
Brúnni, Magni Højgaard, Bogi á Lakjuni, and Kári
Sverisson. Five days later they ended the recordings with a concert in the farm’s
machine hall on New Year’s Eve as well as an additional recording session
in January 2006.
One may wonder why one of the principles of industrial music - that is to say
being funded on the use of anti-conventional or recycled instruments - with very
urban
sounds (we immediately think of Einstüerzende Neubauten), may be reborn
in a rural area. When translating the title 'Desert alive' (lively countryside
or city without humanism?) one understands
better the meaning, the freshness and the energy of this music.
As well as the original live material, the record features remixes by The
Third Eye Foundation, Bookworms, Oktopus/Deadverse, and Com-Data.
Included with the release is a DVD with two music videos, two live videos, from
the concert on New Year’s Eve and a short documentary explaining how the
instruments were made.
2008 has seen the beginning of a European hype surrounding the band. A hype that
started on the basis of their first ever gig outside the Faroe Islands at the
Atlantic Soundscapes showcase in Brussels. ORCA has since this gig landed booking
deals in Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Austria and Germany, been booked for
several central European festivals and will play 5 times with Yann Tiersen at
this
years
prestigious
30th anniversary of the Transmusicales Festival in France.
