OUR MUSIC IS OUR MESSAGE
A CONVERSATION WITH SERGIO RIOS OF ORGŌNE
Sergio Rios, the mastermind behind Orgōne’s latest album, Chimera, joyfully dishes on his band and their masterpiece. According to him, their sound can only be described as a wild fusion of “Afro-psychedelic, Afro-Disco, and funk” with a healthy dose of soul. Each track on the album boasts its own unique blend and vibe.
When asked about the artists influencing Chimera, Rios playfully namedrops Simon Says, attributing their down-to-earth essence to the band’s influence. He also confesses to being inspired by Dr. John’s Night Tripper album, with its swampy psychedelic boogie sound, and Can, the fearless German band known for their unconventional approach to music arrangement.
Orgōne is fortunate because they have been jamming together for a hot minute, which makes them pretty darn spontaneous. As musicians, they have grown and developed a mutual admiration for the same tunes. They dive right into the music, and it becomes ingrained in their very essence. When they come together to create, write, and record, it’s like this solid foundation is already laid out for them. It’s all thanks to their shared history and unwavering passion. Rios enthusiastically chimed in, “We don’t go in the studio with a lot of expectations, and it is always a surprise what comes out.”
CHIMERA ALBUM REVIEW
The album Chimera gets its name from a mischievous creature in Greek mythology that spits fire and has a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a snake’s tail. The band found it to be a spirited and slightly risky title to kick things off. The concept of having this mythical creature really captures the essence of the band. On the other hand, there’s a dreamlike quality to it, something that people desire but may not be real, like an oasis or a mirage, hinting at the album’s adventurous nature. Rios expressed, “The name Chimera brings a little bit of a dark edge, and we definitely wanted to feel that with this album.”
Let’s get the party started with the opening track of the album, “Hollowed Dreams.” This dance floor anthem breaks the mold with its unique seven-count beat. Most dance songs stick to the traditional eight-beat structure, but not this one! Orgōne drew inspiration from the incredible Karl Hector and the Malcouns for this tune. Karl Hector, who is actually the German producer and guitarist JJ Whitefield, is Sergio’s ultimate idol. Rios admires Whitefield’s fearless and exploratory approach to music, which is reflected in the captivating beginning and baseline of “Hollowed Dreams.” It’s like a happy accident that turned out to be pure magic! When Rios talks about the song, he describes it like this: “The whole song is kind of a cycle. In the middle, it kind of jumps off a cliff and leaves you floating for a minute.”
ORGŌNE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SERGIO RIOS, SAM HALTERMAN, DALE JENNINGS, DAN HASTIE, MERMANS MOSENGO & TERIN ECTOR (PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA WEBBER)
The track “Peace For You” takes you on a groovy trip back to the 60s and 70s. Penned by the talented Terren Ector, this song encapsulates that nostalgic vibe we all love. Brace yourself for a vocal-heavy and rhythmically rich section that will make you want to get up and dance. Rios wholeheartedly embraced this tune, declaring, “I love that song. I was really proud of that one. That’s one where I like to imagine that if I had never heard of Orgōne in my early twenties, I would be an immediate fan.”
“Running Low” presents a refreshing twist in terms of its sound. Jamie Allen’s vocals add a much-needed touch of raspy charm to this tune, and Rios chimes in to support Jamie’s vocal prowess, “He is such a great singer and shares all our love for New Orleans.” Jamie serenades us with a delightful tune about a gentleman embarking on a journey to reunite with his beloved, while Rios brilliantly comments on this heartfelt endeavor, “The song just feels like a late-night drive.
Chimera boasts a collection of entirely original songs with no cover tunes in sight. This album is a must-have, as it unravels the true essence of the band Orgōne and the profound message they aim to share. Rios concludes with, “Our music is our message, and we are lovingly grateful for all the support.”
In 2024, Orgōne will be hard at work in the studio, crafting catchy tunes and preparing for the highly anticipated release of their next album that’s sure to take us on another musical journey.
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Photo Credit: Rick Horn
