The Orion Experience

The Orion Experience
Orion Simprini and Linda Horwatt in March 2008
Orion Simprini and Linda Horwatt in March 2008
Background information
OriginNew York City
Genres
Years active2005–2014, 2021–present
LabelsSweet! Records, Needlejuice Records
Spinoff ofKitty in the Tree
MembersOrion Simprini
Linda Horwatt
Reef Rox
Past membersChris Lucas
Jon Weber
Erik Paparazzi
Kareem Lamar
Marcus Farrar
Jimmy Riot
Websitetheorionexperience.com

The Orion Experience (occasionally abbreviated to T.O.E.) is an American pop rock band formed in New York City in 2005 by singer/songwriter Orion Simprini and Linda Horwatt (Linda XO). The band has released three studio albums and two EPs. The name "The Orion Experience" is a "self-effacing" reference to other bands like The Alan Parsons Project and the Steve Perry Project.[1] The band’s gender-fluid themes and presentation have attracted a strong LGBTQ+ fanbase.[2]

History

In 2006, The Orion Experience released their first studio album, Cosmicandy, on Sweet! Records.[3] In 2007, the band performed at Fearless Music, and in early 2008, Perez Hilton called the song "Obsessed With You" "an indie pop gem ... double yum."[4] The same song was also featured in the 2019 thriller The Honeymoon Phase.[5]

Their 2008 EP release, Heartbreaker, was produced by Maroon 5 producer Jon Kaplan.[6][7] In 2009, the band released Cosmicandy in Japan and included all four songs from Heartbreaker, as well as a new track called "Nippon Ga Dai Suki (Japan We Love You!)".[8]

Their second EP, NYC Girl, was released on April 19, 2011.[9] USA Today described the title track as a "string-infused disco-pop ditty" reminiscent of "70s-era Electric Light Orchestra".[10]

In October 2012, the band put on an immersive theater show at Dixon Place in Manhattan's Lower East Side with the "idea to make a rock concert that brought fantasy back to live music."[11] The following year, the band created an off-Broadway show called The Orion Experience, which opened in August 2013 at XL Nightclub.[12][13] The show was directed by Travis Greisler, produced by Ryan Bogner, and choreographed by Misha Shields.[14] The cast featured Simprini, Horwatt, Reef Rox, and Honey Davenport as the Queen of White Lies.[13][15] The show was accompanied by their second full-length album, Children of the Stars, which includes expanded versions of the songs from the live theater productions.[16]

In 2014, the band recorded the single "Rich Man's Holiday".[17] In the following years, both lead singers Simprini and Horwatt wrote and produced solo albums. Horwatt recorded the album Stupid Love and the self-titled EP Linda XO.[18] Simprini produced his EP Lush Life and other singles.[19]

Due to a rise in online popularity in 2019 and 2020, the band reestablished itself and began releasing more music.[2] In January 2021, the band released Sugar Deluxe, a compilation album that combined the Heartbreaker EP and the NYC Girl EP, and included two previously unreleased tracks, "How the Story Ends" and "Lower East Side Love Song", while removing the track "Nice Guys Finish Last". The band's third studio album, Fever Dream, was released on October 22, 2021.

In 2022, Cosmicandy and Children of the Stars were reissued on vinyl, CD, and cassette by Needlejuice Records,[20] but these were later hidden from their website on September 1, 2022 and removed completely in December 2022 after the label terminated their work for the band "in light of numerous allegations".[21] All unsold copies of the physical releases were subsequently destroyed.[22]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
Cosmicandy
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Sweet!, Needlejuice
Children of the Stars
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Sweet!, Needlejuice
Fever Dream
  • Released: 2021
  • Label: Sweet!
Cosmicovers
  • Released: 2023
  • Label: Sweet!

Extended plays

Title EP details
Heartbreaker
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Sweet!
NYC Girl
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Sweet!

Compilation albums

Title Album details
Sugar Deluxe
  • Released: 2021
  • Label: Sweet!

Singles

Title Year Album
"Nippon Ga Dai Suki" 2011 Non-LP tracks
"Never Gonna Let You Go" 2013
"Rich Man's Holiday" 2014
"Lower East Side Love Song" 2021 Sugar Deluxe
"Jenny" Cosmicovers
"Ride a White Swan"
"Lemon Boy"
"All Dolled Up" Fever Dream
"Digital Affection"
"Night Eyes"
"Cosmicandy Girl"
"Wrecking Ball" 2022 Cosmicovers
"Moving"
"The Cult of Dionysus (Nightcore / Daycore Remix)" 2023 Non-LP tracks
"All Dolled Up (Nightcore / Daycore Remix)"
"Hopelessly Devoted To You" Cosmicovers
"Oxygen"
"Different Drum"

References

  1. ^ Selzer, Hal (2010-03-10). "Local Noise: The Orion Experience". The Aquarian. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  2. ^ a b Quinn, Taylar (2021-11-19). "The Orion Experience: Fever Dream Album Review". NetworthPick.com. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  3. ^ Sweet! Records (21 June 2023). "The Orion Experience reaches 100 Million Spotify Streams of Debut Album, Cosmicandy". EZ Newswire. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  4. ^ Hilton, Perez (2008-03-19). "Listen To This: Your Love Is Better Than Cocaine". PerezHilton.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  5. ^ The Orion Experience Obsessed With You (Scene From The Honeymoon Phase), retrieved 2022-02-22
  6. ^ "The Orion Experience at MySpace". Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  7. ^ Reges, Margaret. "The Orion Experience Music News & Info". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  8. ^ "The Orion Experience – Cosmicandy". Discogs. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  9. ^ "The Orion Experience's 'NYC Girl' Set for April 19 Release". FlockedMedia.com. 2011-02-23. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  10. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2011-03-21). "Justin Moore's 'Heaven,' plus 10 more". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-03-21.
  11. ^ "Intergalactic Rock: An Interview with Orion Simprini". StageBuddy.com. 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  12. ^ "The Orion Experience, An Outer Space Rock Concert Experience, Begins Performances Aug. 1". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  13. ^ a b "The Orion Experience". TheaterMania. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  14. ^ "Photos: First Look at Theater Works' AZ Premiere of FOLLIES". BroadwayWorld.com. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  15. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race season 11: Here's the official line-up". GAY TIMES. 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  16. ^ BWW News Desk. "Photos: First Look at THE ORION EXPERIENCE, Opening Tonight Off-Broadway". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  17. ^ "The Orion Experience music, videos, stats, and photos". Last.fm. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  18. ^ "Linda XO". Spotify. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  19. ^ "ORION". Spotify. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  20. ^ Major, Michael. "The Orion Experience Release 'Cosmicandy' and 'Children of the Stars' on Vinyl for the First Time". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  21. ^ Needlejuice Records [@needlejuicerec] (2022-09-01). "Our mission is to create tangible music products--high quality vinyl records, cassette tapes, and compact discs—from a broad range of artists, while always endeavoring to safeguard the dignity of all human beings. In light of numerous allegations, we have made what we feel is the only prudent decision and have terminated our work for The Orion Experience. Effective immediately, we believe this action best represents our commitment to personal and professional ethics" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-08-26 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ Needlejuice Records [@needlejuicerec] (2022-10-10). "Just a heads up that Orion Experience merch will only be available thru October. Then any stock will be destroyed. Vinyl sales will simply help Needlejuice recoup its losses. As of this writing, the band will get royalties from sales of Cosmicandy on CD/tape per the terms of our arrangements. We want to be transparent. To be clear, we are no longer representing them. We are navigating this process thoughtfully and planning for November" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-01-02 – via Twitter.