by Brittany Rotondo
Having traveled to California, Hawaii, Costa Rica and beyond, Orion Freeman is ready to create and receive the culmination of his life’s trials, tribulations and tenderness through debut album, The Divine Game. Coming from the concrete jungle of Philadelphia, Freeman leaves a mystical trail, to discover, or perhaps re-discover, the journey of life’s yellow brick road. “I want to soothe souls, I want to ruffle feathers, I want to make bodies groove… I want to inspire contemplation.” I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.
The twelve-track work of metaphysical music has already birthed the foundation to The Divine Game with rhythm section Bryn Davies (fresh off of touring with Jack White) on upright bass, and Kevin Raczka on drums. Recorded at Seaside Lounge in Brooklyn, New York, Freeman and his posse of players are eager to return and lay down vocals, guitars, strings and horns to fully develop the envisioned sound just waiting beyond the horizon.
In the meantime, Freeman has initiated a KickStarter campaign to fund the sure to be starry eyed, soul reaching testament of truth that is, and will be, The Divine Game. With the all or nothing notion behind KickStarter, Orion’s $12,500 goal is more than just a number. “I’d like this record to represent an unspoken permission for people to truly feel -to turn inward and explore whatever needs to be explored, be that joy, pain, confusion or the billion other emotions we’re capable of.”
With world class orchestrator and co-producer Seth Paris behind the console and collagist Derek Gores (who has designed masterpieces for everyone from Madonna to the NFL), The Divine Game rests in the hands of the folks willing and eager to contribute to the cause. Pledges that donate can receive prizes like a vinyl copy of the record, American Apparel t-shirts with Freeman’s logo “Get Free”, guitar lessons, house concerts and even a home-cooked vegan meal. But be swift, for the KickStarter Campaign ends on July 31st.
When asked why the title The Divine Game, Freeman’s answer flows like the seasonal passing of time. “Because life is a balancing act, part divinity, part fool’s parade, all under the same mask and I love the concept of juxtaposition -two seemingly opposing ideas or states of mind pressed firmly together creating a third very new entity. Something almost transcendent, much more than some of it’s two parts. My life has been a whirlwind of seemingly diverse things colliding, often times to super intense ends. The fun comes when you stop, take it all in and try to piece together something beautiful from the wreckage.”
Help unbury the treasure that is The Divine Game and Get Free.
