Orgone

Pronounced with a long second “O,” the Los Angeles band Orgone is dedicated to heavy, raw, adrenaline-fueled funk and sweat-dripping soul. With a core rhythm section of close friends and self-taught musicians steeped in local DJ culture, Orgone has spent the last decade expanding their roster and evolving a sound rooted in old school respect but pulsing with the force of the new millennium. Orgone has become a staple on the festival circuit while gaining a reputation among fellow artists as one of the baddest go-to backing bands on the planet. Always evolving musically and cosmically, Orgone continues to connect with kindred musical spirits throughout the universe with relentless touring and the upcoming release of their fifth full-length album.

Starting out as an instrumental five piece by friends with a love of funk records, Orgone cut their teeth putting their own gritty takes on cuts by the Meters, Booker T. & the MGs, Grant Green and Funkadelic among others. In 2002, the band independently released Orgone, a collection of tough, stripped-down, funk instrumentals that Relix Magazine called “intoxicating” and that quickly became a favorite of die-hard, funk fans. Orgone solidified that underground respect in 2006, adding a powerful horn section and releasing their second album, Bacano, a set of all-original, cold-blooded funk gems in the classic vein of War and Mandrill with improved, warm, organic production that matched the evolution of the band’s sound. The release of their cover of “Funky Nassau” on both 7″ and 12″ became a an instant dance floor classic, inspiring a club-edit by renowned DJ Danny Krivit and paving the way for The Killion Floor in 2007, Orgone’s first full-length album for the legendary Ubiquity Records.

Orgone proved their continued evolution when the critically-acclaimed Cali Fever was released in 2010. The album was musical chameleon, shifting between West Coast cool, New Orleans grit, Lagos afrobeat, and heavy Mothership funk, taking, in the words of Dusty Groove America, “a rough, rugged, and uber soulful live funk vibe into a deeper and even livelier realm!” Released later the same year, an all-instrumental album The Killion Vaults showcased Orgone’s growing mastery behind the soundboard and why their home studio, Killion, is becoming a favorite recording site for many acts. Orgone’s roster and sound continue to grow with fiery, Louisiana soul singer Niki J. Crawford adding her powerhouse pipes to the music and sultry energy to live shows.

And there are ample opportunities to catch Orgone on stage. Touring almost non-stop since the release of Cali Fever, including 288 shows in 2011 alone, Orgone has evolved into an incendiary live act, both as a headliner or opening for artists including the Roots, Al Green, Gil Scott-Heron, Rebelution, Galactic, Ozomatli, Snoop Dogg, Thievery Corporation, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Groundation, and Aaron Neville. Whether playing a club show or slots at national festivals like Bonnaroo, All Good, New Orleans JazzFest, High Sierra, Bear Creek, SXSW, moe.down, Mountain Jam, Waterfront Blues Festival, Jam Cruise 10 and many others, Orgone is a live funk juggernaut that can do it all, weaving seamlessly between gut-bucket nastiness, afrobeat, disco/house, and classic covers, creating a sweaty, dynamic dance experience. With their critical success and tight, touring chops, Orgone has become one of the most sought-after backing bands for studio sessions. The band has flourished in the studio, appearing on the 2011 multiple Grammy winning Cee Lo Green track, “Fool For Love” and major recordings by Alicia Keys (“Teenage Love Affair”, “Wreckless Love”), Estelle (“Pretty Please”), Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, and Anthony Hamilton. Orgone’s musicians have also collectively and individually toured and played with Booker T Jones, The Pharcyde, Breakestra, Keb Mo, Plantlife, Macy Grey, Pharoahe Monch, Too Short, Brett Dennan, Slick Rick, and Bun B.

Armed with a new album and a take-no-prisoners live show, Orgone is bringing organic soul and orgasmic music to a stage near you, continuing their rise on everyone’s “Favorite Band” list.