Opus Orange is a vibrant independent pop collective that deftly traverses sonic and geographical landscapes. Drawing influence as much from the natural world as the musical one, the journey so far has taken them bobbing exuberantly in the ocean of infectious indie pop, hiking across the wide sweep of resonant film scores, and scaling the heights of angular alternative rock. Led by composer Paul Bessenbacher, the group creates a sound that is equal parts ecstatic, melancholic, and anthemic. The name is a nod to Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu, Opus 66 and Charles Mingus’ “Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress,” both emblematic touchstones of Bessenbacher’s disregard for musical boundaries.
Composing from age 8 growing up in Sacramento, Bessenbacher discovered the depth of the classical repertoire, the spontaneity of jazz, and the sheer joy of garage rock. College years were focused on classical piano performance in Chicago, even while playing in every band and genre he could. All of this animates the band’s consistently undeniable melodies, lush textures, and driving rhythms. Now he’s in Santa Monica; the place where his mom, an immigrant from the Philippines, and his dad, a marine from Kansas City, originally met and married
Their latest release, Object Lessons, is a focused and overtly intuitive statement. It feels like a plea, a battle cry and a declaration of love all in one, simultaneously confronting and comforting. While their previous releases have resonated with the beauty in nature and tread thoughtfully, this one is a basement show, a band in the corner next to the hot water heater, perfectly too loud, the keg is all froth, it’s getting packed and sweaty and a little dizzy and nowhere is better than here.
Mixed by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, Sufjan Stevens, Modest Mouse) and mastered by Doug Van Sloun (Bright Eyes, Damien Jurado, M. Ward), Object Lessons was recorded in confinement at Emoto Music in Santa Monica and performed by Bessenbacher on vocals, synths, acoustic & electric guitar, James Neil (Deathray) on drums, Katie Hampton (Sergio Mendez) on vocals, Alex Strahle (Olivia Holt, Loud Forest, Miles Hardt) on electric guitar, and Carlen Walth on bass.
Opus Orange’s many notable placements are a testament to their music’s relevance: in films (by Catherine Hardwicke, Brin Hill, Ric Serena), TV shows (Grey’s Anatomy, Broad City, Younger), and advertising (Google, Apple, Samsung).