Stephen James Orr
Rooted in riff-based indie rock and soul groove, Stephen James Orr is a musician, songwriter and producer from Toronto, ON. Fresh off releasing his first four singles in 2021, an album is due to be released this fall. In collaborating with a variety of visual artists and musicians each track is unique in its visual and auditory style.
Ceramic (feat. Danny Zaidman)
Mit der letzten Single von Stephen James Orr begeben wir uns auf das Terrain von Soul und Jazz. Ceramic erforscht die Folgen einer zerbrochenen Beziehung, deren schmerzhaften und glücklichen Erinnerungen, Erinnerungen die dann und wann auftauchen, und die Momente in denen man sich fragt, ob der andere dasselbe durchmacht. Das Thema wunderbar verarbeitet und musikalisch umgesetzt in den bereits erwähnten Genres, der Sound der Gitarre erklingt nahezu himmlisch und beinahe in der Hauptrolle, um dann aber doch zum richtigen Zeitpunkt, mit Einsatz der Vocals, einen Schritt zurück zumachen. Die Brass-sektion, respektive Sax, glänzt in den richtigen Momenten, schimmert wie das pure Leben selbst. Der Bass, warm und sanft, rundet das Gesamtbild stimmungsvoll und dezent emotional ab. Verspielt chillige Emotionen als numinoser Nachklang einer gescheiterten Beziehung oder "Ceramic", so wundervoll kann "zerbrechen" klingen.
Q&A
Stephen James Orr is...?
...a musician, producer, and songwriter from Toronto ON! Also guitarist with Gisun, and starting a blues rock duo with Michelle Challice called Neon Pony.
Who inspired you to make music in general?
I grew up listening to music all the time at home and loved making music on anything that made sounds (Tupperware made a great drum set). My dad is a guitarist and his love for playing passed on to me. There’s also been many pivotal moments in my life where someone has encouraged me to keep going and pursuing the next thing in music so all have played a part!
...and especially to the song "Ceramic (ft. Danny Zaidman)”?
The music for Ceramic was inspired from listening to a lot of old soul tunes, in the style of say Isaac Hayes or Curtis Mayfield. I wanted to write a slow jam with a good groove to it. Danny Zaidman put his own magical spin on the vocals/lyrics, Shawn Rompre added those groovy drums, Sal Talon (Art Mom) dropped those electric keys splashes, and Dwight played those soulful sax lines.
What is your creative process like?
I usually start with an idea on guitar and create a drum beat to record it to. I’ve usually got a style in mind but sometimes there’s a fair bit of playing around with sounds! I like to record three ideas (verse, chorus, bridge) and then add extra guitar, bass, and keys.
Once I’ve got that solid foundation I’ll usually arrange it into a full song format where I would imagine the vocals would go and share the tune with vocalists to collaborate!
What is the most useful talent you have?
Constantly wanting to learn new things and develop skills, or convincing amazing musicians to collaborate on tracks.
What do you prefer, a live gig or a studio session?
Tough choice! Nothing beats playing a live gig to an energetic crowd, it’s a feeling that can’t be replaced by anything else.
When do you decide that a song is ready for a release?
Always struggle with this piece! Once you feel great about it. Sometimes it comes together quickly, and sometimes it takes months to find that missing piece. The best practices are to get other ears involved in listening and listen to it over a week or so to let it sink in.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Lianne La Havas! She is such an amazing songwriter, vocalist, guitarist. Check out her Tiny Desk if you haven’t heard her before!
If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?
My past? If so it would be to start really honing in on theory earlier and not be so tough on myself musically. Just get out there and jam!
How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music business?
It’s been amazing for reach as the possibilities to connect around the world are endless but of course finding a way through the millions of other artists is tough. Overall I think the reach aspect has been huge in providing a platform for anyone to showcase talents/songs. We need to find a better way to pay artists though, the business side of the industry always seems to put the artists as the last priority for where the money goes.
What’s next for you?
Releasing two more singles to close out the year and have an album coming out early next year! Also playing a big show on Friday October 8th at Lee’s Palace opening for Josh Ritchies album release.
Photo credits:
Shay Markowitz (1/large),
Arthur Lee (2/small)
