WRITTEN BY FAITH LUEVANOS
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Photo by Madison Grey
San Antonio-based duo Orca is carving out a space of their own in the indie-pop landscape, blending dreamy soundscapes, trance-like melodies and genuine storytelling into a specific sound that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. Comprised of vocalist Mylena Velasquez and multi-instrumentalist/producer Daniel Galloway, the duo explores the complexities of love, identity and emotional vulnerability through the whimsy of their production and songs that feel like a romantic slow burn.
Their latest single, “skin&skin,” produced by indie pioneer Hether, was released on Oct. 2 and has marked a major turning point in the band’s career. Velasquez’s dreamy Clairo-like vocals feel like glitter on the shining surface of the production as they create a track that forces audiences to listen.
The band recently concluded their fall tour where they opened for fellow Texas-native Love Spells on the North American leg of his ‘LOVE IS THE LAW’ world tour. Through this touring experience, the pair got to share their musical talents with a whole new audience, establishing the perfect pairing for fans of Orca and Love Spells individually.
Life on Jupiter received the opportunity to chat with Orca about their experience touring, “skin&skin,” working with Hether and more. Read the full interview below.
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LIFE ON JUPITER: Thank you for taking the time to chat with Life on Jupiter! For our readers who may not be familiar with your music, how would you describe it?
ORCA: I’d say our music takes from a lot of mixed genres: Indie-Soul-Alternative.
For some background, how did Orca form?
ORCA: We had met through my brother, who was making some demos with Dan [Galloway] at the time and wanted some backing vocals, so I offered my help. I (Mylena) was still in high school; they were in college, and I had never written music before or even thought of it as an option. Eventually it became just me and Dan, and we stuck with the name Orca because it started to represent the Pacific Northwest- an atmosphere that we both have longed for since we’ve lived our entire lives in Texas.
You recently wrapped up a tour with Love Spells. What was this experience like for you two, and what were some lessons learned while on the road?
ORCA: We’ve learned a lot, honestly, and have seen a lot of beautiful places and met a lot of beautiful people. Honestly, we’ve learned to just enjoy the present and to use it to get into the performance. We suffer a bit from stage fright, and so the repetition has been nice to really settle into a good routine.
Was there a spot you traveled to or performed at that surprisingly became your favorite?
ORCA: North Carolina was a sneaky surprise favorite! The community was very bright and friendly, and the fall trees were starting to show, so it was a beautiful space and the energy was very high for that show.
Your new single "skin&skin" is out now, congratulations! You worked on this song with Hether. How has this collaboration helped elevate the Orca sound?
ORCA: The collaboration with Hether was such an inspiring experience. It’s not every day that you get to work with someone who you’ve admired creatively; we were just insane fans of his, so to be able to create something of our own and have him completely revamp it was such an honor.
In terms of your sound, do you feel like growing up in San Antonio helped shape or influence it? If so, in what ways?
ORCA: Definitely. Growing up in San Antonio, just being surrounded by familiar people and the familiar scene was the most isolating for me, at least. I think that’s why I resorted to losing myself in music and practicing the art of daydreaming-pretending I’m somewhere else constantly. But you definitely meet others who are similar. People who share that same experience and love the same sounds.
When you think of a visual landscape that represents "skin&skin," what do you envision?
ORCA: I imagine driving in a two-seater with someone special through the side of a mountain. The view a sea of orange and brown trees.
When you return home, do you have plans to jump back into music, or will you take this time to reset?
ORCA: Honestly, rest. Just sleep and reset.
Any final messages you'd like to share with your fans and our readers?
ORCA: Create what you crave! I saw that somewhere; I just don’t remember who said it. But it’s so true; also, stay aware of the world and be kind.
