Ep. 24 | Tub Talks with Orville Peck: Country Music Artist
Today we're diving into the remarkable journey of Orville Peck, who is best known as a one-
of-a-kind country artist who's been captivating hearts with his soulful music and creative,
inclusive spirit.
Our story with Orville begins with an unexpected connection that occurred during the heart
of the pandemic. He and Genevieve met via Diplo at Joshua Tree Acres, where Secular
Sabbath holds the annual May retreat. Peck remembers this experience well, as his music is
often inspired by the desert, specifically the hauntingly beautiful Joshua Tree landscape. This
environment has become a source of solace for Orville, reminding him of his South African
homeland. Even though he had moved to California a decade ago, the desert's solitude and
stark beauty struck a chord in him connecting him back to his roots.
Life outside of South Africa meant dealing with the challenges of being an immigrant and
navigating cultures far different from his upbringing. Yet, he has always embraced 'an
escapist personality, throwing himself into a world of music. Orville's musical journey has
taken him through various genres. He even toured with punk bands, reminiscing here about
the days of driving 13 hours with drums in his lap, playing at empty bars, and crashing on
people's floors. These, he reflects, have been some of the happiest days of his life.
Orville's unique voice and deep love for music led him to explore classical British theater
training, where he discovered a truly distinctive low voice. He decided to weave country
music with avant-garde elements, pulling inspiration from David Bowie and seeing how that
perspective could apply to country music. Orville's blend of musical influence and knowledge
is diverse, and it is reflected in his songs. He educates us on how country music comes from
around the world, such as the banjo being brought into play by slaves, fiddles from Irish
farmers, inspiration from gospel, and Mexican cowboy culture. He reveals the deep worldly
history of country music.
Yet, Orville has faced resistance and criticism from country culture, questioning his
authenticity as a country artist. The notion that country music is reserved for a certain type of
person hasn't detered him. Orville describes himself as a classic country artist.
However, his music has reached mainstream culture, with songs like 'Dead At Night," featured
on the hit show "Euphoria." He shares the history of where this song came from, touching
back on the loneliness he experienced in his sexual identity within straight punk community.
However, Orville didn't set out to intertwine his sexuality with his music. He dislikes the label
of "queer country."
The podcast episode delves into Orville's experiences with friendships, his late entry into
queer communities, and how these connections not only made him feel more accepted, but
also boosted his confidence in embracing his uniqueness. He's learned to collaborate with
others and appreciates how his career has allowed him to support both himself and his family,
and grow beyond his wildest dreams.
Orville Peck's journey is a testament to the power of staying true to yourself and pushing
boundaries, regardless of the challenges and expectations you might face. It's a story of
artistry, authenticity, and the strength to continue to follow one's own path. Enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Fractal Forest. Fractal Forest is an Earth-Tek research
collective restoring meaningful connection between humanity and the Earth. I wanted to
share how I personally use FRACTAL FOREST products. Their shilajit drops help with my
focus and energy levels. I'm someone who often wakes up with a burst of energy, which
gradually wanes as the day goes on. I have noticed a change in my energy and ability to focus
since I started implementing Fractal Forest Shilajit drops into my daily routine. I think what
makes Fractal Forest so special is that they use only earth elements in their formulation
process: this means No synthetic additives or preservatives are included and it shows - the
sensation is pure, the plant is pure! Whether I'm drinking the blue lotus tea, or imbibing drops
of dream state, shilajit, these herbs enhance my experience of life. You can use our code
SABBATH22 to receive a 22% discount on your next order. We look forward to seeing how it
enhances your overall health too!
To join Secular Sabbath membership, you can find us at secular-sabbath.com/membership. Joining grants you access to our Inner Circle community of sensory-exploring like-minded people, where you can gather with us locally in LA for monthly meet-up experiences, and pop-up events around the globe, and partake in our exclusive ambient online community.
See what we get up to at @secularsabbath.