Nigel Rojas of Orange Sky
July 1, 2009 by Publisher
Filed under arcint2009
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
Nigel Rojas of Orange Sky has checked in with Hardrock Haven regarding the release of Dat Iz Voodoo and their tour with Kings X. Be sure to check out the recent concert review at Hardrockhaven.net
Q: Nigel, Orange Sky recently released their sophomore album, Dat Iz Voodoo via Star City Records. Musically, how does this album compare to your debut release Insight?
NIGEL: “This album, compared to our first album, Upstairs, is a bit more progressive and heavier. Upstairs was a very dreamy, romantic hard rock album; this album has a lot more socio-political insight, and the musical backdrop naturally is heavier. However, I would say that if anyone liked Upstairs, then they would love Dat Iz Voodoo.”
Q: What inspired Orange Sky to do a re-make of The Scorpions song “Is Anybody There?”
NIGEL: “We always loved the Scorpions, especially the early stuff. The song was on the radio at home since the late ‘70s, and the style in which it was done, which is with a reggae-type of groove and typical Scorpions melodic texture. I thought that song was made for us to cover. It is a destiny thing, and we actually got to play it live for them when we opened for them last year in front of about 15,000 people, and it went off really well; they loved it, and we were stoked about that.”
Q: Over how long a time period did it take to write and record, Dat Iz Voodoo?
NIGEL: “I wrote the songs during our downtime on Trinidad after our last label went bankrupt and we were sent home to our island after releasing Upstairs and doing 44 cities with Yngwie Malmsteen with no label and no management. We were very depressed, especially after starting to pick up some momentum and a fan base here in the U.S. The songs were written over a few weeks, and we recorded the album over a two-month period.”
Q: Is there special meaning behind the title of the album, Dat Iz Voodoo?
NIGEL: “No, we just wanted to do an album cover and theme with some dark, mystical, almost foreboding vibe, just like the old Zeppelin and Black Sabbath albums but with an Island twist. I guess it worked. (Laughter)
Q: Orange Sky has a sound that is very unique combining Reggae and Metal. As a singer, who are some of your influences?
NIGEL: “I am a huge music fan, long before I started to be a musician. My influences are vast, but I could name some of the main singers that were definitely influential like, Ozzy, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and a few more.”
Q: Dat Iz Voodoo is embedded with powerful guitar riffs and vocals that have a true Island vibe. How you best describe the sound of Orange Sky and how important was it for the band to showcase the diverse styles of different genres on your latest release?
NIGEL: “We have been lucky to be exposed to all kinds of music from an early age. I always say that Metal is the brother of hard rock, Hard rock is the cousin of Punk, and Punk is the adopted Uncle of Reggae, and all these styles fall under the title “Rock and Roll.” We have all these styles in our music, so I call it “Rock and Roll” because Orange sky is filled with all these styles.”
Q: How did you come up with the name Orange Sky?
NIGEL: “At dawn and at dusk everyday on our island for a few minutes, the sky becomes totally orange, some days more than others. That Orange sky, to me, represents the beginning and the end “infinity,” so that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. (Laughter)
Q: Over the years, Orange Sky has supported major acts such as Skid Row, Hatebreed, and Yngwie Malmsteen. What were some of the highlights while supporting these major acts?
NIGEL: “The highlights are that most of these bands were in posters on our wall when we were young. We saw them as super heroes, so to be able to share a stage with them and to hang out and look them in the eye, share a bottle of whatever and just bask in the surreal moment, I am definitely taking most of those memories with me to the next life when I die.”
Q: Would you say that these tours were instrumental in establishing the band in your country of Trinidad and Port of Spain?
NIGEL: “I am assuming that you mean the “tours’ of the established rock acts passing through Trinidad, and if so, then the answer is yes. No arrogance meant, but at home we are like KISS, so when the big bands pass through, and the promoter calls Orange Sky to open, it is because we are a great addition to the show entertainment wise, and a couple thousand seats extra guaranteed, draw wise.”
Q: As an artist, what are some of the differences of touring in Trinidad versus the U.S.?
NIGEL: “Well the first difference is distance. Trinidad is an island; I live in the north of the island. I used to think that it was a long drive to get to the south of the island to play a show, which is about 50 miles away. Now, in the U.S., we have driven over 42,000 miles since last July; sometimes the distance from one gig to another could be as much as 700 miles, so when I think about it, if ever I am in Trinidad again and I need to perform in the south, I think I could walk it. Also in Trinidad, because it is such a small island, when we do a concert and there are 1,500 people or so, I feel like I know everyone there, but when we play the U.S., even if the entire crowd totals 20 people, it stills feels very potent because it is a fresh audience. You see, in Trinidad, we are like KISS, a big fish in a small pond, and here we are a small fish in a very big pond, and that brings a new challenge and an even greater conquest.”
Q: Would you say that Dat Iz Voodoo has an underlying political theme?
Nigel: “No, I’ll say that it is very much on the surface; it is not underlying. But the entire album is not all political mumbo jumbo; we covered a wide range of vibes.”
Q: Dat Iz Voodoo has a vast array of different musical styles. What inspired the slower tunes and ballads such as “Alone,” “Rainbows,” and “Roses?”
NIGEL: “Alone” is about living in this crazy world, and with all people in this world, we still have billions of lonely people. “Rainbows” is about life and death. The older we get, the more preoccupied we tend to get about the mystery of death, and “Roses” is about romantic angst Orange-Sky style.”
Q: Also there are thrash/punk songs such as “Psycho World.” What inspired this song?
NIGEL: “Psycho World” is about mankind being the most dangerous monkey on this planet; monkeys with guns and money.”
Q: Orange Sky is touring with Kings X. What can the fans for the first time seeing Orange Sky in the U.S. expect to see on this tour? It is the perfect bill for the band.
NIGEL: “Well, actually, we are touring the entire West Coast and upper Midwest with them over 20 shows. It is great; we are very excited. We always loved Kings X, and we expect to make a whole lot of new friends every night on this tour. They could expect a typical Orange sky live show, which is a total spiritual body slam and maximum emotional exfoliation. We give 100% every time, no less.”
Q: Nigel would you like to break down Dat Iz Voodoo, track by track?
l. “Yesterdays And Tomorrows:” “A glimpse of the socio/political life in the Third world.”
2. “s There Anybody There?”: A Scorpions cover, this is a song that I always loved and wanted to do it as a tribute to them and also as a fun song to jam.”
3. “Alone:” “In a world of so many people, we are all still so lonely.”
4. ‘”Dark Room:”’ “A Chinese philosopher called Confucius said, ‘Ignorance is the night of the mind, the night without moon and stars.’ The Dark Room is in our minds, where we shut away the negative horse shit that politics and religion tend to force upon us.”
5. “Roses:” “’Roses’ is about Romantic angst done in a typical Orange-Sky style.”
6. “Rainbows:” “The never-ending preoccupation that we, as mortals, have with the mystery of death.”
7. “Psycho World:” “’Psycho World’ is about us, as humans, being the most dangerous monkey on the planet, programmed to destroy everything in sight.”
8. “Never:” “A love song, a break-up /make-up song.”
9. “Run:” “Third-world politics and strife”.
10. “Second Wind:” “A song about seeking clarity, turning on the windshield wipers of the mind, to see the road ahead and gaining a second wind from that clarity, a renewed energy.”
11. “The End:” “This an apocalyptic view of the world and a desire to start everything all over, to press ‘RESET’ on history.”
12. “Closer:” “Exactly what it says? The need for us, as humans, to rise up and wipe our tears away after the storm of life and its adversities.”
NIGEL: “Thanks for your interest. It means a lot that you are helping us to plant our seeds. We appreciate it very much.”
King’s X Live!
June 25, 2009 by Publisher
Filed under arccon2009
June 16, 2009 The Riot Room, Kansas City, Mo.
by John Kindred
Staff Writer
Orange Sky opened the evening with a blistering set of music that comprises a multitude of musical elements from hard rock, soft rock, punk and reggae which is ground into a metallic presentation. The band is led by lead vocalist and guitarist Nigel Rojas, rhythm guitarist Joel Beazer, bassist Nicholas Rojas, keyboardist Richard Hall, and drummer Obasi Springer.
Touring in support of their latest studio album Dat Iz Voodoo on StarCity records, Orange Sky took the stage and for nearly an hour they held the attention of the crowd. Not being overly familiar with the band was not a hindrance to enjoying the energetic music.
Hailing from Trinidad, the Caribbean band had no trouble connecting with the audience. Their free spirited energy certainly was absorbed by the crowd. The band was more than generous with their time before and after their set. They mingled with the crowd, signed autographs and took pictures with eager fans.
Check them out on the web:
www.theorangesky.com
www.starcityrecording.com
Doug Pinnick, Ty Tabor, and Jerry Gaskill are the three parts that equal the whole that is King’s X. Their return to Kansas City was witnessed by a packed house. From the time that the band took the stage the demeanor of Pinnick was the focal point, as technical difficulties with his monitors distracted and you could say enraged him. Giving a bit of a tongue lashing to the “sound guys” the show moved forward but throughout the set Pinnick remained disgruntled.
Can’t say what Pinnick was hearing but the soulfulness and bluesy grit of his voice was dynamic as ever. The Beatle-esque harmony vocals are the pinnacle of the band’s sound and King’s X more than delivered in the live setting. The trio can be measured against some rock’s better known bands made up of only three members, such as Rush or Triumph, as King’s X delivers a wall of sound that fills up any venue.
It is amazing to see Pinnick play the bass guitar as aggressively as he does and then add in his ability to sing so flawlessly. It’s pure magic. Ty Tabor is no slouch on guitar or vocals either. His unique guitar style joins with Pinnick bass lines and Gaskill’s percussion and builds out the music of the uniquely progressive band.
Touring in support of their recent release XV the band performed their “hits” as well as fan favorites. In all including the encore’s King’s X performed fifteen songs. They certainly extended some songs into longer jams as on the classic “Over My Head.” Or the closer “Born to be Loved” which seemed as if it was always on the verge of stopping but carried on.
King’s X put on a great live show. And after the show the were gracious enough to hang out and meet fans, sign autographs and take photos.
Set List:
Groove
Alright
Pleades
Move
What Is This
Black Flag
Germany
Pray
Dogman
Go Tell Somebody
Summerland
Looking For Love
Head
Encore:
It’s Love
Born To Be Loved
Photo Gallery
Orange Sky Dat Iz Voodoo
May 9, 2009 by Managing Editor
Filed under arcrvws
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
From the Port of Spain in Trinidad, rock band Orange Sky is garnering a strong fan base across the country. Orange Sky has just released their sophomore release, Dat Iz Voodoo via StarCity Records. The popular Trinidad band has supported Skid Row, Hatebreed, Ludacris, and Adema. In 2005 – 2006, Orange Sky was the support act for Yngwie Malmsteen.
Orange Sky features singer/lead guitarist Nigel Rojas, rhythm guitarist Joel Beazer, bassist Nicholas Rojas, keyboardist Richard Hall, and drummer Obasi Springer.
Orange Sky infuse a vast array of musical styles including Reggae, Calypso, and Metal giving the band a distinctive sound that is making quite the impact on music fans in their home base and abroad. Orange Sky is gearing up for a string of Texas fans with Kings X, and this bill is definitely a match made in heaven.
Dat Iz Voodoo opening track, “Yesterdays And Tomorrow” sets the theme with its political message and heavy guitar groove. Orange Sky has a sound that is reminiscent of Sevendust with Bob Marley vocals that are emotional, soaring, and brilliant. Every song on Orange Sky’s sophomore album is a hidden gem ready to explode.
Orange Sky do an unique reggae cover version of The Scorpions cover,”Is There Anybody There”? Also no two songs are alike on the album, making it very refreshing to listen to. Combining metal and melodic ballads, Orange Sky is not afraid to showcase their musical talent in full force. Vocalist Nigel Rojas shines on ballads, “Alone”, “Roses”, and “Rainbows”. On the song “Rainbows,” Nigel feels the pain as he sings of lost love.
Other standout tracks include the punk rock ditty “Psycho World”. The guitar work on this album is heavy, melodic, and razor sharp. Combined with the Reggae yet modern vocals of Nigel Rojas, the singer definitely showcases his vocal power in outstanding fashion.
Drum solos rule on “Run,” and the heavy punk Ramones vibe is noted on “Second Wind.” It has been a while since a band has no filler tunes on an album, but Orange Sky pulls it off tremendously with songs that are heavy, intricate, and thought provoking.
Be sure to check out Orange Sky on tour with Kings X. If you are looking for a band that combines Metal and yet stays true to their Island roots, then you will enjoy the sophomore release, Dat Iz Voodoo.
Track Listing
l. Yesterdays And Tomorrows
2. Is There Anybody There?
3. Alone
4. Dark Room
5. Roses
6. Rainbows
7. Psycho World
8. Never
9. Run
10. Second Wind
11. The End
12. Closer
Rating: 8/10
