They aren’t satisfied with simple, country progressions. Instead, they exemplify a shift toward more pronounced, full band Americana recordings.
Edmonton-based alt-country duo The Orchard takes the Record City stage Aug. 16.
Comprised of singer/songwriters Kasha Anne and Mitch Smith, The Orchard hitting the national airwaves with Bright Eyes, the latest single from their current album, The Great Unkown, achieved with the help of veteran producer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Lucinda Williams, Wilco).
Anne and Smith bonded over an undeniable need to make music, and even outside of the band, music dominates both of their lives. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Smith is active within the Edmonton music scene as a teacher and community workshop organizer, while Anne also teaches music.
Combining their talents proved to be the right decision, as within their first year together, The Orchard had signed to Royalty Record and were recording their debut album, Southern Ground (2012). It immediately got the attention of the Canadian county music industry, bringing showcases at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, along with steady radio airplay and festival appearances.
The Orchard’s sophomore album, Southern Ground (2014) raised the stakes higher, as the group teamed up with JUNO-winning producer Russell Broom (Jann Arden, Chantal Kreviazuk), who focused on capturing The Orchard’s increasingly hard-hitting live sound.
SMG Endeavours presents The Orchard at Record City Aug. 16. Doors at 7 p.m., music by 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 presale from www.okomfest.com.