Welcome to week #26 of the Steel Orca Songs of the Week.

Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy 📸:Clara Beth/steelorca.io

I made it to six months of posting! This is an unofficial thing as this is 26 of 52 posts, and next week (March 24) represents six calendar months of posting. Plus, I have more than 26 posts already, given the non-Songs of the Week posts, but whatever. C’est la vie.

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Sort of an eventful week in the world since the last post:

📉 A global banking collapse (we’ll see how that turns out);
🤖 ChatGPT4 was released (and is shockingly close to being AGI);
💥 Russian jets allegedly took out an American drone over the Black Sea (World War III, anyone?); and, last but not least,
💨 Gwyneth Paltrow recommends rectal ozone therapy (to protect your butt from ultraviolet radiation, I assume).

Despite all the craziness, let’s try to stay positive, folks! After all, if the past few years have taught us anything, it's that we're a resilient bunch (and maybe that ozone therapy works?).

On that note, the Steel Orca crew was in the Crowsnest Pass this past weekend to attend the Pole & Spur, a local winter skijoring festival. It was a blast but was -20°C and windy, so we didn’t stick around that long. We did meet Miss Rodeo Canada Mackenzie Skeels, though!

The Steel Orca crew with Miss Rodeo Canada 📸:Clara Beth/steelorca.io

What’s skijoring? Well, it’s a race where a horse pulls a skier (or snowboarder) along a track - races are timed single heats, with the final winner being crowned at the end based on their cumulative fastest times.

The other thing they do at this festival is cowboy curling: one person is pulled on an inner tube (they’re the rock) by a person on a horse. Other than that, the rules are the same as standard curling, for the most part. The key is that the person in the tube has to let go of the tow rope before they pass the hog-line, or the shot doesn’t count. Miss Rodeo Canada was the “winning rock” for the first game. How appropriate!

Besides that, it’s been a pretty good week, though I’ve been a bit under the weather (everyone in the house has runny noses). I am getting over it, though. Something must be going around again.

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Playlist Breakdown

Here are the songs for the week of March 17, 2023 ☘️.

▶️ Youtube Music: Songs of the Week #26

For those of you reading this on the day it comes out, happy Saint Patrick's Day! I am not currently drinking because of Lent (I’m not Catholic, but it’s just a good excuse to stop the booze for a bit), but then, of course, I hadn’t looked into it and just read this in the Saint Patrick’s Day Wikipedia page:

“… and historically the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday's tradition of alcohol consumption.”

They don’t make it easy on a guy, do they? Twenty days left at the time of writing.

One final note before we get to the music - we put out the first issue in our new series, “The Ambergris Tales,” last weekend:

The Steel Orca

🐋 The Ambergris Tales #1 - Testimony: "I know it's wrong, but I do it anyway."

I became a Christian at age six in Ramona, Kansas, while listening to a record for kids played by my mom encouraging children to "accept Jesus as your saviour." My brothers, aged five and three and a half, also "accepted Jesus as our Saviour." I have always been aware of the presence of the Most High, but the idea of being "saved" seemed like "icing on t…

19 days ago · 1 like · Morpho Menelaus

The series is a biographical look at the author’s life growing up in America in the ’60s and ’70s. New posts will come out every other week on Sunday at 9 am MT (8 am PT, 12 pm ET). I'm unsure if I’ll be emailing them out or if they’ll stay as site-only posts, but the initial feedback has been positive. So if you’ve enjoyed the new series, let me know in the comments.

Finally, in terms of the actual music, I’m going to be honest and say that likely due to my mood (and the sickness), it was pretty tricky finding five songs I liked enough to include on this list and write about this week. This is a good playlist (I don’t mean to downplay it), but if you want one that’s full of bangers from start to finish (this isn’t that, it’s more idiosyncratic), check out Songs of the Week #23 (arguably the best one thus far). I got the most positive feedback on that one compared to all the others.

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The Steel Orca Song Banner: Eprom - What's Her Name

Eprom - What’s Her Name

Release Date: March 3, 2023
Spotify Plays: 43,286
Plays Per Day: 3,607
Label: EPROM
Genre: Dubstep
Origin: San Francisco, CA 🇺🇸
Instagram: @eprombeats
Twitter: @eprombeats

Eprom, an electronic music producer and DJ from Portland, Oregon, has been making waves in the industry with his innovative and genre-defying sounds. Known for his unique blend of glitch, hip-hop, and bass music, Eprom has earned a dedicated following and critical acclaim for his forward-thinking productions. With multiple releases and collaborations with artists like G Jones, Alix Perez, and ZEKE BEATS, Eprom has solidified his position as a trailblazer in electronic music.

What's Her Name is a testament to his signature experimental sound. The track starts with an eerie, atmospheric intro that builds into a hard-hitting beat with heavy basslines and warped synths. It's a masterclass in sound design, effortlessly blending different elements to create a mind-bending auditory experience. The song showcases Eprom's ability to push boundaries and take listeners through a sonic landscape as unpredictable as it is captivating.

Eprom is on tour - you can catch him next March 23 at The Ground in Miami, Florida.

The Steel Orca Song Banner: Chmura - Yung Tumbo

Chmura - Yung Tumbo

Release Date: June 17, 2021
Spotify Plays: 582,751
Plays Per Day: 916
Label: Wormhole Music Group
Genre: Glitch Hop
Origin: Denver, CO 🇺🇸
Instagram: @chmuramusic
Twitter: @chmuramusic

Chmura, an up-and-coming electronic music producer based in Denver, has been turning heads with his eclectic and innovative sound. Drawing influences from various genres, including ambient, experimental, and bass music, Chmura's productions showcase his ability to weave together intricate soundscapes that captivate listeners and transport them to otherworldly realms.

Yung Tumbo is an excellent example of Chmura's unique style. The track is a mesmerizing fusion of glitchy beats, lush synths, and haunting vocals that blend seamlessly to create an immersive sonic experience. The song's ethereal atmosphere is contrasted by its powerful rhythm, creating a captivating juxtaposition that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.

Unfortunately, no live dates were listed for Chmura online at the time of writing.

The Steel Orca Song Banner: Mr. Carmack & Dilip - GOD (MUSIC)

Mr. Carmack & Dilip - GOD (MUSIC)

Release Date: September 9, 2022
Spotify Plays: 228,962
Plays Per Day: 1,224
Label: Forward Thinkers Group
Genre: Trap/Wave
Origin: San Francisco, CA 🇺🇸
Instagram: @mr_carmack | @dilip
Twitter: ? | @dilipbeats

Mr. Carmack, a Los Angeles-based producer, has been a force in the electronic music scene for years. Known for his experimental sound that fuses elements of hip-hop, trap, and electronica, Mr. Carmack has garnered a loyal fan base. He has worked with notable artists, such as Kehlani, Diplo, and A$AP Ferg.

Dilip is an Indian-American producer who has made a name for himself with his unique blend of hip-hop and electronic music. Dilip has proven himself a versatile and innovative producer with an impressive list of collaborations, including artists like quickly, quickly and Oshi.

Together, Mr. Carmack and Dilip deliver GOD (MUSIC), a powerful and immersive track showcasing their combined production expertise. With its hard-hitting drums, mesmerizing synths, and catchy vocal samples, this track is a genre-defying masterpiece highlighting the best of both artists' talents.

Regarding shows, you can catch Mr. Carmack this afternoon (March 17) at Kingdom Nightclub as part of SXSW in Austin. The rest of his tour dates are on his website. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any dates listed for Dilip.

The Steel Orca Song Banner: Catching Flies - Oi

Catching Flies - Oi

Release Date: September 14, 2022
Spotify Plays: 693,762
Plays Per Day: 3,812
Label: Indigo Soul
Genre: Organic House
Origin: London, UK 🇬🇧
Instagram: @catchingfliesmusic
Twitter: @catchingfliesuk

Catching Flies, a London-based musician and producer, has been captivating audiences with his unique brand of electronic music that combines elements of downtempo, trip-hop, ambient, jazz, and soul. With a keen ear for melody and a knack for creating lush, immersive musical environments, Catching Flies has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following.

Oi is a prime example of Catching Flies' distinct sound. The track is a sonic journey that takes listeners through a lush landscape of hypnotic beats, atmospheric synths, and dreamy vocal samples. With its soothing melodies and intricate production, Oi is a testament to Catching Flies' ability to create captivating, introspective music that resonates with listeners profoundly and emotionally.

Catching Flies does not currently have any live dates listed.

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Song of the Week 🙌

The Steel Orca Song Banner: Nick AM - Thief

Nick AM - Thief

Release Date: March 17, 2020
Spotify Plays: 1,670,011
Plays Per Day: 1,528
Label: 2020 00:00
Genre: Tribal techno
Origin: New York City, NY 🇺🇸
Instagram: @nick.am
Twitter: @NickAM0000

Nick AM, a New York City-based electronic music producer and DJ, has been making waves in the underground scene with his unique blend of house, techno, and experimental electronica. Drawing inspiration from various genres and influences, Nick AM's productions are characterized by groovy beats, captivating melodies, and intricate sound design. With a growing catalogue of releases and remixes, he continues to make a name for himself in the ever-evolving world of electronic music.

Thief is a standout track that showcases Nick AM's ability to craft engaging and danceable tunes while maintaining a sense of depth and emotion. The song features pulsating rhythms, hypnotic synths, and a catchy vocal hook that draws listeners in and keeps them moving. His expert production techniques shine through as the track progresses, with subtle shifts in dynamics and layers of sound that create a rich and immersive listening experience. This record is a testament to Nick AM's talent and versatility as a producer, offering a compelling blend of infectious beats and captivating atmospheres that leave a lasting impression on listeners.

Unfortunately, I could not find any live dates for Nick AM at the time of writing.

Castelvecchi, Tuscany, Italy 📸:Clara Beth/steelorca.io

That’s it for this week from all of us here at the Steel Orca.✔️👋

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🎧 Songs of the Week #26: I think about you…