Cristina Orbé’s latest project, orbé orbé, is the result of years of work. Orbé is a writer and vocalist who has worked in projects ranging from folk to soul to rap. The orbé orbé LP, Invisible Kingdoms, out now is a truly masterful work and the work that could only come from a multi-faceted artist and performer. It is one of those records where you will decide on a favorite song, and then decide in a week weeks that you have a new favorite.
“Before I was an acoustic soul artist and was in another band. I also guested on hip hop LPs and singles.” says Orbé. “I found myself bored in a world of people, on stage, playing instruments. I felt there was a greater, better way to tell a story.”
Her background as a performance artist seems to pervade this LP. Some might take that to mean this is a record of unlistenable and artsy fartsy tunes. It is not. It certainly is artistic but it is also accessible.
Recently Orbé created a circus opera, taking songs and creating a story. It was minutes long and she narrated, wearing a huge skirt. There were shadow puppets and childlike invisible characters. And this is the sort of feel the LP gives too.
She worked with producer/musician, Jahon Mikal, on Invisible Kingdoms.
“I think it was lucky, kismet, me and my producer met. I heard his first LP Medulla Transmissions. At the time I was working in a pop punk band, ‘ she says. “He enhanced the songs. They were good and he made them better. Some people are calling it an art album and it is. I am interested in going to this other place.”
She says the two have become fast friends as well.
“When we started working on the album I told Jahon I was looking for something that felt other worldly. I was less interested in taking a band to tour around and more interested in expanding the performance with dancers, props and puppets,” she says. “I wanted to push the narrative and explore costume and characters. He ended up creating an album that fit that vision incredibly well.”
“Before I was an acoustic soul artist and was in another band. I also guested on hip hop LPs and singles.” says Orbé. “I found myself bored in a world of people, on stage, playing instruments. I felt there was a greater, better way to tell a story.”
Her background as a performance artist seems to pervade this LP. Some might take that to mean this is a record of unlistenable and artsy fartsy tunes. It is not. It certainly is artistic but it is also accessible.
Recently Orbé created a circus opera, taking songs and creating a story. It was minutes long and she narrated, wearing a huge skirt. There were shadow puppets and childlike invisible characters. And this is the sort of feel the LP gives too.
She worked with producer/musician, Jahon Mikal, on Invisible Kingdoms.
“I think it was lucky, kismet, me and my producer met. I heard his first LP Medulla Transmissions. At the time I was working in a pop punk band, ‘ she says. “He enhanced the songs. They were good and he made them better. Some people are calling it an art album and it is. I am interested in going to this other place.”
She says the two have become fast friends as well.
“When we started working on the album I told Jahon I was looking for something that felt other worldly. I was less interested in taking a band to tour around and more interested in expanding the performance with dancers, props and puppets,” she says. “I wanted to push the narrative and explore costume and characters. He ended up creating an album that fit that vision incredibly well.”
Shows are planned in Los Angeles and in their home-base of Seattle. They also recently played a show in New York City.
“(It was) super fun! It was really fun to perform this show for people on the east coast,” she says. “I am excited for us to continue to grow and evolve the performative elements and share it with more audiences.”
Ultimately the show will head across the country. At the moment the show consists of a DJ (DJ TANGQ), two dancers and various props—parasols, puppets, fans and more. The show is not a finished product. It will change and expand over time.
“We are building it. The point is to create an alternate world, alternate space for 45 minutes,“ she says. “As we perform I would love to add live instrumentation, horn players and a guitar player who could DJ at the same time.”
The aim is to bring her performance art background into the stage performance. She has seen other acts in the Seattle underground working on their performances as well.
“They are making it a performance, choreographed, sitting on couches doing interviews," says Orbé. “I see the performative thing but not artists and musicians collaborating in an intentional way but I see them pushing the artistry of their performance."
She wants to take things that extra step. People, in her view, want more in a live experience. We are all over-stimulated and want multiple stimuli in a performance.
Orbé also is head of a youth organization, the Food Empowerment Education Sustainability Team (FEEST).
“FEEST sets the table for young people to transform the health and
equity of their community by gathering around food and working towards
systems change.” she says.
FEEST was just selected as aFood Hero.
“(It was) super fun! It was really fun to perform this show for people on the east coast,” she says. “I am excited for us to continue to grow and evolve the performative elements and share it with more audiences.”
Ultimately the show will head across the country. At the moment the show consists of a DJ (DJ TANGQ), two dancers and various props—parasols, puppets, fans and more. The show is not a finished product. It will change and expand over time.
“We are building it. The point is to create an alternate world, alternate space for 45 minutes,“ she says. “As we perform I would love to add live instrumentation, horn players and a guitar player who could DJ at the same time.”
The aim is to bring her performance art background into the stage performance. She has seen other acts in the Seattle underground working on their performances as well.
“They are making it a performance, choreographed, sitting on couches doing interviews," says Orbé. “I see the performative thing but not artists and musicians collaborating in an intentional way but I see them pushing the artistry of their performance."
She wants to take things that extra step. People, in her view, want more in a live experience. We are all over-stimulated and want multiple stimuli in a performance.
Orbé also is head of a youth organization, the Food Empowerment Education Sustainability Team (FEEST).
“FEEST sets the table for young people to transform the health and
equity of their community by gathering around food and working towards
systems change.” she says.
FEEST was just selected as aFood Hero.
The vocals are pristine, the overall production approaches perfect and the work manages to incorporate Orbé's diverse influences seemlessly. Keep an eye open for performances around North American--hopefully--soon. For more look HERE. You can also get Invisible Kingdom as a download ($1!) or buy the LP on vinyl via the link below.
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