On Sep. 20, I had the honor of being Orchid Daze’s photographer for their very first performance. Orchid Daze is a three-piece grunge band in the Atlanta scene. Mel Williams is the vocalist-guitarist, Emily Skeffrey is the bassist, and Amir Abu Ali is the drummer. They performed during a burlesque show intermission, courtesy of Skeffrey’s deep involvement in burlesque culture. The show raised funds to support mental health care across all identities. And what aids the mind better than live music? Especially from a band as skilled as Orchid Daze.
The burlesque atmosphere felt almost intrinsic to the band’s sound. The choreographed performances with elaborate costumes served as a beautiful complement to their set. They played three original songs, “Cry All Night”, “Spellbound”, and “Corpse”, and one cover, “Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana. If you had the privilege of seeing them live, you could certainly hear Nirvana’s influence in their sound. They also took inspiration from Julie, a shoegaze band that is one of the most recognizable acts of the 2020s wave of noise-rock. Julie’s concert gave them the final push to form Orchid Daze. They pulled from Julie’s moodiness, guitar melodies, and bass progressions. Her New Knife was another inspiration, which is revealed in their lyricism and use of pedals. This influence is the most prominent in their track “Cry All Night”. Queens of the Stone Age was cited as another influence, particularly for Abu Ali’s drumming.
The band’s passion is obvious, from Williams’ enchanting vocals, the seamless transitions between songs, Abu Ali’s powerful drumming, and Skeffrey’s energetic bass riffs. The band has such a strong stage presence that demands the audience’s attention. Mid-performance, Williams and Skeffrey switched instruments, which showcased the group’s versatility. Along with this, Williams’ and Skeffrey’s matching outfits showed they put as much effort into their visuals as their sound.
As they evolve, they will surely innovate and carve their place in the grunge genre. I am excited to see how they progress, and you should be too! Their show was such a lovely experience. They have not officially released any music yet, but keep an eye out for their next show. You certainly won’t regret seeing Orchid Daze live.
Written by: Mayhem H.
Photos by: Mayhem H.
Orchid Daze Instagram
Orchid Daze Full First Performance: Orchid Daze 9.20.26