In 2020, ORCA started a new way of creating original music, where she brings her own version of the music she has loved since she was a child. The innovative pop productions with a nod to the r&b music of the late 90's and early 00's. Or plunged into a creative process of about two and a half years, of finding her voice. The songs are an expression of Or's experiences since she moved to the big city alone, without her family, among them stories about romance, fears, frustration and disappointments which manage to be expressed in deep and exposed texts. The album contains 9 tracks - mostly written and composed by Orca and Ami Nir. The album contains one song in collaboration with Ozal, a British-Israeli singer, creator and rapper who brings a new line. The song with Ozel 'Hang low' comes out as the focus track of the album, brings a refreshing, European, innovative tone and even gives reminders of the light and fun beats of the 2000s.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello ORCA. What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
As an artist, the strongest qualities required are willpower and faith. besides the talent. those make you work hard and push yourself toward the goals. I have worked hard and learned a lot in recent years to establish these strengths that weren't present in me for a long time. Only when we stop thinking "what will they say" or "I'm not good enough" and start conveying to the world that we are truly talented artists, and believe in ourselves, only then, we become great musicians. And I am still working on it :)
Who inspired you to make music?
As a girl, I would sit for hours in front of the computer, watching music videos of all the pop queens from the early 2000s. I would imagine myself in their place. The ones who gave me the most inspiration were Sia, Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Nelly Furtado, and more. Today, I receive many inspirations all the time, not only from musicians but from people in general who push themselves toward their dreams.
Your latest release is 'Better Now'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
So the truth is, I went through a long journey with this album. Most of the material was written over a year or so, but I didn't plan for it to become an album. I worked on producing the songs and like everyone else, I had a rough patch in my personal life that caused me to lose faith in myself and I stopped working on the music.
About a year or so ago, I went back into the studio with my producer Ofri and decided to revive this material and turn it into one album. Two new songs were added to it, one of which was written just two months before we finished working on the album :)
Can you shortly describe each of the tracks that are on the album?
The entire album consists of songs that talk about relationships I had in my early 20s. Each one has a slightly different perspective.
The intro is basically an opening that is intended to immerse us into a whole world of stories. It starts with a recording of me on the phone with a friend playing piano, singing the chorus of "Million Hours", which is the seventh track on the album, and becomes a produced track that signals the start of the album.
The first song, "Better Now," is a song that talks about a relationship that actually left behind a lot of scars, but now, looking back, there is completion. Completion with those scars, understanding that they will always be a part of my life. And yet, it's better now.
Prayer - A song that talks more about the period when we became "virtual," a period of obsession with a particular person, where all I could grasp at that time was social media that fed me with information like "does he interested in me? see what I'm doing now? does he care?" and through that, I lived.
Found A Lover- The optimistic song on the album is actually a song that was written from a healthy and happy place compared to the rest of the songs that were written from a painful place.
It was written during the time when I met my current partner, a period that was full of butterflies and hope that there are also real men out there :)
Just say - Continuing from "Prayer," this song was written from a place of despair, hoping to receive any sign from the same person and hoping that he would say something, anything, even if it's bad, because uncertainty is killing me.
Game of fire - The angry song. A song written from a place of anger towards those men who think they can play with fire without getting burned in the end. Or in other words, to take advantage of a girl when she's a little bit confused or blinded by the situation. So no.
Million Hours - The ballad of the album. Comes after anger and strength. a brief relief. For all those million hours wasted trying to capture the hearts of those people who captured mine.
Hang Low - A song collaboration with Ozel. A song that describes an unhealthy relationship. When there is an understanding that this relationship needs to end. But despite all the difficulties, it is hard for both sides to end it and for one to release the other.
Isn't enough - The conclusion. After all the relationship experiences I went through, the conclusion arrived. Love is not enough. Of course, it is what drives us, but if there are no values such as communication, or friendship - it cannot work. Or maybe, it's not a real love :)
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest musical trends?
I try to listen to music all the time. Streaming exposes me to new music and I find myself getting inspired by it. Besides, we're in a generation that's entirely exposed to social media, and even on TikTok, there's always new music.
What makes you different from others?
What makes me different from others in my opinion is my authenticity. I can't distance myself from it. I come from a small town in southern Israel. I grew up in a good and simple home, and I think it shows. I'm not trying to present something that I'm not.
What’s an average day like for you?
I start my day with some physical activity, usually yoga. It sets my mind for the rest of the day. I also love surfing and watching the sea. During the rest of the time, I try to play music, and sometimes when inspiration strikes, I write. I enjoy eating well, spending time with my boyfriend, and working on the next project :)
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
I don't see them as fans. To me, someone who writes to me is a person who appreciates me. And there is nothing more emotional and appreciated than people who dedicate their time to writing me a good word. I try to respond to them in the same way.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Work hard. There are no shortcuts. And make sure to surround yourself with people who are living the same dreams, who believe in you, and who push you forward.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to reach as many people as possible with my album, and to continue creating and doing what I love :)