Okapi (band)
Okapi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Members | Scott Mitchell Gorski, Lindsey Paige Miller |
| Website | Okapi |
Okapi is an American musical duo composed of Woodstock, Illinois native Scott Mitchell Gorski (upright bass, vocals) and Columbia, Missouri native Lindsey Paige Miller (cello), based in Asheville, North Carolina.[1]
History
[edit]The two met and began performing in Chicago, IL in 2012, but have called Appalachia home since moving there in 2017.[2]
Musical Style
[edit]Okapi's music draws from a wide variety of sonic influences, including elements of experimental music, avant-garde music, folk music, chamber music, classical music, art rock, post-rock, progressive rock, experimental rock, jazz, lied, ballad, sprechgesang, appalachian music, tango music, and world music, with Gorski's existential lyrics providing an explicit backdrop for their carefully woven pieces.[3]
Approach
[edit]Hailing from differing musical backgrounds but sharing a passion for unique approaches to songwriting, craftsmanship, and structure, they began formulating candid, cathartic, and intentionally intricate orchestrations rooted in honesty and rawness. Carrying evocative works abundant with descriptive lyrical paintings, they present ideas both intimately and aggressively, hoping to stimulate a universal confrontation with our absurd reality. They aspire to challenge others’ perceptions through promoting consciousness, healthy growth, and individual empowerment.
Big Ears Festival
[edit]Okapi was selected to perform at the 2022 Big Ears experimental festival alongside illustrious performers such as John Zorn, Patti Smith and Animal Collective.[4]
The Wire
[edit]Okapi was featured in The Wire (magazine)'s "The Wire Tapper" (No. 63), a series of CD anthologies of new underground music that The Wire staff compiles three times a year. A track of theirs was selected to be included with The Wire Magazine's Issue No. 477.[5]
Collaborations
[edit]In October, 2019 Okapi collaborated with Luke H. Walker on his play The Wake of Dick Johnson, composing the score for the third run of the play at Performance Space 122 in New York City. A review of the play by Broadwayworld.com lauded their "chilling" performance, citing the band's unmistakable talent and eerie sounds. Broadwayworld wrote, "Throughout the play, the two perform with both a creepy rawness changing the tempo as quick as Dick's moods."[6]
Awards
[edit]The duo has been awarded grants for music and art by such organizations as Jazz Foundation of America, MusiCares Foundation, and Toe River Arts.
Members
[edit]- Scott Mitchell Gorski – upright bass, vocals
- Lindsey Paige Miller – cello
Discography
[edit]- Carousel (Part I) (Self-released, 2018)
- Carousel (Part II) (Self-released, 2021)
- Solitary Dances or Incantations for the Hopeful and Hopeless (Self-released, 2024)
References
[edit]- ^ Peiken, Matt (November 18, 2021). "Music duo Okapi channels anger into heady music for higher consciousness". NPR. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ "Okapi: Carousel (Part I)". The Laurel of Asheville. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ Peiken, Matt (October 29, 2018). "All About That Bass—and Cello—in Asheville Duo's Quest for Higher Consciousness". NPR. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ "2022 LINEUP". Big Ears Festival. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ "The Wire Tapper 63". thewire.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ Chesanek, Carissa (November 1, 2019). "THE WAKE OF DICK JOHNSON Comes To The East Village". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022.