Orra’s upcoming record is intended to make listeners feel seen
Photo credit: Y Hanson Photography
Vancouver based indie-pop band, Orra, is gearing up to release their upcoming EP, Hold On To Yourself. Ahead of the release, Reverie chatted with Sarah Orr and Cam McGregor, the brains behind the project, about what to expect and some of their summer releases.
Orr, the project’s vocalist, and McGregor, the project’s drummer and instrumentalist, said the new EP surrounds the feelings and moments of finding your way through early adulthood. “It has all those topics you touch on when moving through early adulthood like identity, where you want to be, and being done school,” Orr and McGregor explained.
The EP is set to be four tracks, three of which, “Friends,” “Panic Garden,” and “Conformity” released throughout the summer as singles. The fourth track, “Light Up,” is all new, releasing with the record.
On why “Light Up” is the last to release, Orr said that “all the other songs had an emotional moment we could tie them to,” McGregor said “‘Light Up’ is a different genre of emotional story.”
“It’s about relationship turmoil, and with the EP’s theme of struggling through adulthood, [“Light Up”] felt like a focus track that rounds everything out nicely, putting a bookend on the story of the EP,” Orr explained.
“Conformity” is a confessional, up-beat track Orr wrote to overcome self-doubt. Leading up to the song’s release, Orr, who is half Chinese, shared a post on the band’s social media, explaining the backstory behind the track. “A few years back I was talking to my friend about applying to festivals, listing off ones to apply to. She said that one of the ones I was applying to was mostly people of colour and Asian people. She said, ‘I don’t think you should apply for that because I don’t think you look Asian enough.’”
After sharing the story and releasing the song, Orr said she was anxious about what was to follow, but wanted to represent others who may feel similarly. “I was scared people were going to double down on what she had said or agree with her, but I felt the risk was worth it if someone out there would relate to the song and feel represented. And some people did. We’ve received some really nice DMs of people telling me they relate to me and the song. It’s really been validating, and I’m glad I’ve been able to give back to people too,” she explained.
With the vulnerable and personal lyrics, the band wrote more up-beat, synth and big drum sounding instrumental to juxtapose it. “It’s like you’re running through a field, not caring anymore,” Orr said.
“Panic Garden” is similarly meant to be representative for listeners. The song is about Orr dealing with her anxiety, framed around the idea of a garden. “A garden is something that you nurture and is something that can protect and shade you, but it’s also something that you can let overgrow,” she said.
Over the summer they also released their first collaborative song with two other Vancouver artists, Mya Lowe and Ayla Bryn, called “Dollhouse”. Orr and McGregor said that they play in the other two’s bands, so playing with them wasn’t anything new, but the writing process was. Despite the song having a bit of a gloomy feel, Orra and McGregor said they had a lot of fun with it.
Between the unique styles of all three projects, Orr and McGregor said that the process allowed them to see a different perspective of songwriting. “We really leaned into building a narrative and being very descriptive for the listener. But aside from that, we were like ‘okay let’s just see where the song goes if we let everyone’s style have their own moment,” they explained.
Photo credit: Y Hanson Photography
On the aesthetic they’ve built leading up to their upcoming release, Orr said that she’s loved creating a visual aid for the music, and that they’ve been working with great creatives. McGregor suggested working with Yvonne Hanson, and Orr brought in her friend Hazel Pangilinan for costume and media design. “I’ve really enjoyed giving the music a visual identity and building our aesthetic. We wanted an un-timestamped nostalgic feel surrounding the visuals and I really like the dreamy aesthetic,” Orr said.
For those who listen to the upcoming release, Orr said “I hope people who listen to the record feel that the sounds and feel can make them dance or vibe, but for those who listen to the lyrics, I hope they feel seen or see themselves in it.” McGregor echoed similar wishes. “I hope it’s something new they can relate to,” he added.
Hold On To Yourself releases October 23, 2026.