ORANGE SKY TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM 'UPSTAIRS' IN NORTH AMERICA ON GRANITE RECORDS ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005
TRINIDAD-BASED BAND PLANS EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES, FOLLOWED BY RELEASE OF LIVE DVD
QUINTET NAMED INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS
BY TRINIDAD'S MINISTRY OF TOURISM
Originality has returned to rock music thanks to the vibrant work of the Trinidad-based quintet Orange Sky. The band has a high-energy, soulful rock sound with exciting splashes of Caribbean music and reggae. You've never seen or heard anything like Orange Sky.
Orange Sky will release its official debut album, 'Upstairs,' in North America on Granite Records on September 13, 2005. Granite -- a hot new label dedicated to developing career artists -- was founded by its three managing directors, music industry veteran Dave Austin, his wife Cathy Austin and Kansas drummer/manager/producer Phil Ehart. Granite's releases are distributed by Fontana, a Universal Music Group company.
'Upstairs' was produced by the legendary Jeff Glixman, known for his distinctive work with the likes of Kansas, Kiss' Paul Stanley, Black Sabbath and countless other top musical artists. Glixman's other recent projects include 5.1 surround sound remixes of classic albums by Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers Band and Ludacris.
Orange Sky, which formed three years ago, has already achieved superstar status in the Caribbean and sold an astonishing 10,000 CDs independently in the region. The band's popularity is scaling such heights that Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Tourism has officially named Orange Sky as International Ambassadors.
Band members include lead vocalist/lead guitarist/songwriter Nigel Rojas, bass guitarist/vocalist Nicholas Rojas, rhythm guitarist Adam Murray, keyboardist/vocalist Richard Hall and drummer/vocalist Obasi Springer. Nigel and Nicholas are brothers.
ICM is proposing an Orange Sky European tour for this summer, and U.S. dates will follow soon after.
Songs on 'Upstairs' include "It's Over," "Escape," "Alone" and a haunting interpretation of the Cat Stevens classic "Peace Train," which is relevant now more than ever.
"Orange Sky has a very unique, distinct sound. We are excited about getting the band out there to perform and develop a loyal fan base. Orange Sky is unbelievable live and our immediate goal is to get them playing in front of as many people as possible," says Dave Austin. "This band has that special, magical quality, and they're hard-working too. When people hear Orange Sky, they truly get a piece of the band's heart and soul."
"We're coming from a different place. We're not from Europe, we're not from the States. I think we're coming from an objective point," says Nigel Rojas. "The fans we have now are always intrigued. 'Where are these guys from?' 'What are they doing?' 'Who's this black rock band?' In the DVD, they not only see Orange Sky live in concert, they also get to see us amongst our people in our element right here in Trinidad."
"I think people will understand what we're all about the first time they see us live. They'll understand the vibe and spirituality behind this band," says Hall. "Something magical comes out every time we play. We're not even in control of the show. Something else greater than all of us takes over."
This fall, Orange Sky will also release its first-ever DVD, 'Live in Trinidad,' through Granite. It was filmed at a rollicking sold-out show in its hometown of Port-of-Spain.