What's Up! Magazine

Los Angeles-based band Orgone returns to Bellingham with their unique brand of funk music that could move the most devoted wallflower out and onto the dance floor. With danceable, soulful, feel-good-funk this 9-piece group knows how to work the crowd into a frenzy. A solid rhythm section with a 10-plus year history playing together brings the energy. Add on three horns and a passionate female vocalist and you have the makings of a one-of-a-kind funk band that should not be missed.

The musical journey that is Orgone began with Sergio Rios (guitar), Dan Hastie (keys), Ethan Phillips (bass), Stewart Killen (percussion) and Sean O’Shea (drums). Their self-titled debut of funk instrumentals was released in 2002. Soon after horns were added to include Darren Cardoza (trombone), Devin Williams (trumpet), and Joel Bowers (saxophone).

The final piece to the Orgone puzzle fell into place when vocalist Fanny Franklin arrived on the scene. “A mutual friend introduced me to Dan (keys), so I went to rehearsals and shows and things kept on from there,” says Franklin. And things are yet to slow down.

Since the release of Orgone in 2002, the band has recorded two studio albums of funk jams with extensive touring thereafter. Back in the studio, Orgone is at it again. “We are hoping to have the new record out in April… still tinkering with names and mixing now,” says percussionist Stewart Killen.

“We’re trying to represent California and LA [with this record]…the whole West Coast sound,” adds Franklin.

With admiration for all styles of music, Orgone draws their influences from a wide variety of artists. “It’s important for music these days not to get stuck in one style,” says Franklin. “There’s so much out there to appreciate.” Writing their music collectively, flourishes of rock, hip-hop, afro-soul, and lowdown, dirty funk make their way to the surface of their live set and studio recordings.

That sound has landed Orgone an opening slot on several West Coast dates with hip-hop legends The Roots. Following those shows, Orgone will be playing Portland, Seattle, Vancouver B.C. and Bellingham. Killen says the response to their music has been great in the Northwest. After rocking Bumbershoot last fall and capturing the attention of Seattle radio station KEXP, Orgone is excited to get back to the area for great shows and great fans. “We really relate to people who come out and enjoy the shows in Bellingham. You (Bellingham) enjoy it the most, you have a good sense of what you like,” Killen says.

And what can you expect when Orgone takes the stage this month? Killen puts it quite simply: “People losin’ their shit.”

Catch Orgone at The Nightlight Lounge on Jan. 23 with the Greyboy Allstars. For more about the band, visit www.myspace.com/orgonemusic