Our FREE Summer Series continues this Thursday, July 13 with the funk soul collective Outer Orbit. Outer Orbit has exploded onto the Portland live music scene playing such events as the Waterfront Blues Festival and Jam Revival. With an all-star line-up, funky bass lines and Sarah Clarke’s powerful voice, it’s impossible to stand still. Come out and dance!
We were lucky enough to chat with the group about how they got started and what inspires them, check it out below!
Hult Center: Tell us a little bit about Outer Orbit and how did the group come to be?
Outer Orbit: It started with a video session w did for a song I (Galen) wrote on Tyrone Hendrix’s album. I had been wanting to put together a funk band to play some of my original music and that session was the catalyst. During the pandemic we all had a lot of time at home and we ended up working together even more. That’s probably when the band really solidified and we recorded and released our first record.
Hult Center: What is your creative process like when it comes to your songwriting?
Outer Orbit: Sometimes it’s a collaboration between me and Sarah and sometimes I bring completed songs to the group. We often work out full band arrangements in the studio.
Hult Center: Who are your biggest influences?
Outer Orbit: Sly, Emily King, Prince, Aretha, Cory Henry, Stevie, Hiatus Kaiyote
Hult Center: Are there any artists in our area that inspire you?
Outer Orbit: So many! The NW is full of incredible artists.
Hult Center: What do you hope is the audience experience at your performance?
Outer Orbit: We want the audience to have a great time and be immersed in a dynamic and joyful experience. Dance if you feel it!
Hult Center: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Outer Orbit: Emily King, Stevie Wonder
Hult Center: What advice would you give to upcoming bands from your hometown in Portland?
Outer Orbit: Be yourself. Do your thing and have fun with it.
Hult Center: How did this group of all start musicians come together?
Outer Orbit: Everyone in this band had worked together in different contexts in the Portland music scene. When we (Sarah and Galen) started writing music together and consequently got the band together to record a couple tracks the vibe was so good we wanted to keep it going. Everyone plays in different touring bands (The Motet, Blitz & Trapper, Sleater Kinney, Allen Stone, Mono Neon, Portugal the Man, Anna Tivel, Ghost Note) and Outer Orbit happens when we all or some of us can get together. It’s really fun.
