Montreal Pop Rockers ORCHAD Deliver Infectious Energy with New Single “Damaged Goods”
Hailing from Montreal, ORCHAD defies genre labels with their unique blend of rock, pop, and R&B. Their music is a powerful expression of personal experiences, including overcoming bullying, addictions, and heartache. Julian and Justyn, the founding members, discovered solace in song during life’s challenges and have since created something truly remarkable. In short, ORCHAD is a musical force to be reckoned with.
The newly released single “Damaged Goods” is more than just a song; it’s a rallying cry for authenticity and self-discovery.
“It’s a call to break free from the chains of expectation and find solace in your own journey,” said the group. “So, turn up the volume, roll down the windows, and let this anthem inspire you to rewrite your narrative. You have the power to reshape your world and celebrate every part of who you are.”
From the start, ORCHAD had a clear vision. They opted to release singles before taking the stage, ensuring that their growing following was familiar with their music. By frequently releasing tracks that showcased their personalities, ORCHAD aimed to create an irresistible blend of catchy, headbanging tunes that defied conventional genre labels.
This unique formula quickly attracted attention, including that of Montreal comedian and podcaster Pantelis. Impressed by ORCHAD’s talent, Pantelis chose their song “Critically Ashamed” as the intro and end theme for his popular podcasts, “The Pantelis Podcast” and “The Pantelis Frenchcast.” Additionally, ORCHAD collaborated with Pantelis on an original track for “The Intellectuals” Podcast.
As their buzz grew in Montreal, ORCHAD seized opportunities to showcase their electrifying live performances. Their debut show saw them opening for renowned comedians such as Mike Ward, Preach (of Aba and Preach), Charles Deschamps, and Maxim Martin at the sold-out inaugural event “Les Rebelles,” a French-language version of Montreal’s prestigious “The Nasty Show” during Just For Laughs 2022. Their stage presence and heartfelt performances left a lasting impression on the 700-strong audience. In their second show, ORCHAD outsold the headlining band by a remarkable 2:1 ratio. Their dynamic energy and engaging performances garnered invitations to captivate audiences in multiple venues across Ontario, where they won over crowds who had previously been unaware of their music.
ORCHAD’s achievements, infectious melodies, headbanging riffs, and irresistible dance beats, have made waves in Montreal’s music scene. Critics have hailed them as one of the hottest acts in the city, while fans find solace and inspiration in their heartfelt and dynamic performances. ORCHAD is a band that refuses to be confined by expectations and are poised for continued success as they redefine expectations and make pioneer their own way forward.Â
“Damaged Goods” comes out on June 9, 2023. ORCHAD’s album The Mask of Happiness drops in January 2024.
Watch the video for “Damaged Goods” below and learn more about Orchad via our mini-interview.
Care to introduce yourself?
Why hello there, we’re a band based in Montreal Canada, that consists of only two members. Singer Julian Della and guitarist Justyn Vynn. You could say we’re a “Rock Band” but that would be a little misleading as our sound is influenced by the various other styles of music we listen to which range from Pop, Synthwave, industrial, and even rap. So yeah to just say we’re a “Rock Band” would be putting it lightly. Especially in our latest single but hey why don’t you give it a listen for yourself and tell us which genre of music you’d classify us in?
Tell us about the process of writing and recording “DAMAGED GOODS?”
So this song came to life last summer. I (being Julian) had just attended the Montreal music festival Osheaga and basically left inspired, to the point where I took to my computer, later on, that night and started laying down what ended up becoming the foundation of DAMAGED GOODS. After working on it through the night and throughout the following day to where I had enough to show Justyn. Usually, I’d send him an audio track, but this time was different. This one was better than others I had sent in the past, so much so that I waited for him to come back from his trip from Wildwood to not only play it for him but sing it as most of the lyrics were finished as well. He was left speechless as he was eager to start laying down some guitar work and some harmonies which you can hear in the final version.
What’s it like being a musician in Montreal?
Being a musician in Montreal is interesting. You’re exposed to so many different styles of music and Montreal in general is so rich in
culture. Any given weekend there’s a show of some sort going on. I definitely believe the uniqueness of the city influences our music, with its abundance of talent as well as the vibe in the city in general. It is challenging at times considering there isn’t much of a market for the music in which we’re delivering, but it also stands as a proving ground in a way since we’re still able to convert casual listeners into fans. ESPECIALLY after they see us live, we’re undeniable, and that I take full confidence in saying.
Who was the first Canadian artist to blow your mind?
There’s a couple who come to mind, I remember the first time I saw Billy Talent live. That was one of those HOLY S*** moments.
They were incredible, between both the energy and the performance, you couldn’t help but be mesmerized by it all. Another one that I would also add just because we’re both big fans would be The Weeknd. There’s a reason he’s the number one streamed artist in the world. He just doesn’t miss, every album from his first has just been heavy hitters, it’s a career in which I hope when it’s all said and done we could have even the smallest of similarities.
You’ve been making music for a while now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
You have to ask yourself if this is something you really want to commit to. If it’s just a hobby that’s cool it’ll be a fun one, but if this is something you want to commit to and hope to eventually turn into a career, you have to mentally prepare yourself. It’s a hell of a journey where if you’re paying attention, you’ll learn a lot about yourself. Remember that you’re creating something that you pour your heart and soul into for the world to listen to. There will be both positive and negative feedback, you have to learn how to coop with both because this is an industry with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Also, be wary because there are sharks at all corners trying to get multiple dollars out of you. Also, play some shows and hit the road as soon as you can, you’ll learn very quickly if this life is for you, because the road is unforgiving and not meant for the faint of hearing. Lastly just make sure that no matter what you’re having fun, it’s something I even have to remind myself every now and then when we hit a fork in the road. Despite setbacks that you’re bound to hit, this is a dream come true.