The Orchid Highway

THE ORCHID HIGHWAY’s self-titled full length album produced by Steven Drake (Odds, Tragically Hip, 54-40) is a neo-psychedelic adventure. It takes off with the instantly compelling Sofa Surfer Girl, already making waves on American Radio. Sofa Surfer Girl draws you deep into the speakers, as the album continues with one-two FM-pop punches; Medicine Tree, Let’s Stay In Instead, and Next World open doors to a world where The Who, Stones and the Kinks never got old; Ballad on Plain E shows The Orchid Highway explaining to Rush how to really make a 7/8 time-signature groove; Opiate, Pop Tart Girl, and Tea with Shandra continue the 21st Century stroll down Carnaby Street and the Haight; while Time For A Change features absurd Dylan-esque rhyme schemes and the most aggressive organ playing heard since Steppenwolf. The album closes with a rolling psychedelic carnival-keyboard waltz called Legion Hall – which paints an even stranger picture than The Doors. The album is the musical equivalent of a jean-jacket; classic and timeless.

Originally formed in 1994 by brothers Rory Macdonald (vocals, bass guitar), Jamie Macdonald (vocals, guitar), and Derek Macdonald (vocals, countless organs), The Orchid Highway made London England their hometown, and were a hot act on the UK circuit during the “Brit Pop” years. They returned to their native land, added Adrian Buckley (drums, percussion) to the lineup, and spent many colorful and adventurous years rocking their way through the ever-shifting Vancouver live-club scene – and was one of the few Canadian bands of the time to consistently tour their vast country, coast to coast. In 2005 Scott Perry (vocals, guitar) replaced original guitarist John Woods and as we fast forward to 2008 the long awaited eponymous debut by Orchid Highway has reached its final destination. Your ears.

A video for Next World; the album’s first single; accompanied it’s US release in early May. Director Robert Riendeau filmed the band playing in what looks like the hold of a WWII Navy vessel, with a mountain of the band’s fantastic vintage gear as a backdrop– tube ampliers line the walls, and old organs & synthesizers are stacked from the oor to ceiling. Where will this Highway lead them now? America? Europe? Only time will tell… but in the meantime the band is back in the studio working with Howard Redekopp (New Pornographers, Tegan & Sara) recording the songs for their next album and this time the wait won’t be long at all.

Next World Video