Meet Oranje, the Calgary math-rock outfit shaped by the likes of Do Nothing, Origami Angel, and Chon. The trio is composed of Joseph Bahhadi on guitar, Michael Buie on bass, and Andrés Mira on drums. The three musicians met during their time at the University of Calgary, in which they were all members of the University’s jazz orchestra. Musically, they deliver tight, start-stop tunes rooted in their jazz background and articulated through a punk aesthetic.

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Their highly-anticipated debut EP, "Pure Sport," was released on June 16th. The record includes six songs, one of which features a moody spoken word performance that evokes interplanetary correspondence. Locally produced by Chris Dadge, known for his work with Alvvays and Chad VanGaalen, the record was quickly met with positive attention across Canada: it charted 20th nationally and played on several campus and public radio stations. 

 

Oranje is just getting started; their upcoming full-length album aims to expand their musical reach by incorporating a dusting of post-punk and neo-soul, and plans to host a handful of selected local artists. Featured artists will be prompted to explore the prompt “water” under the band’s freewheeling thematic approach to the exploration of their evolving sound. “We want this next album to take listeners on a journey that will immerse them in a series of aquatic worlds,” says Michael Buie, the band’s bass guitarist. The group hopes to record and release the album this fall 2024.