Media Orphan

Los Angeles- Word on the street is the power pop quartet Media Orphan is creating a buzz. Not only are their grooves garnering fans, but the band is gaining notice for their professionalism, musicianship, talent and can-do attitude. They have been working hard the past few years, touring throughout California, as well into Nevada and Utah, and still finding time to create and record new material. Media Orphan is at home both acoustically and electrified, playing for all-ages crowds and night clubbers and taking the stage in coffee houses to major venues. The press has also caught wind of this group, as they have been featured in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, Whittier Daily News and at DaBelly.com. Still, you may wonder what's with their name? "I thought it out a very deep meaning behind it, but I didn't want to tell everyone, hey, this is exactly what it meant, I wanted to make it more ambiguous," says Negrete. "It also had more of a radio-friendly meaning behind it and it had more of a spiritual meaning behind it." It's true that the members of Media Orphan are Christian, but they point out that they are Christians who have a band, not a Christian band. "I think for us it's not important that Christians clap for us," Alamazan says. "It's more important for other people to listen and hopefully get to know us and in talking with us they realize that there's something behind this." Their beliefs flow through subtly through their music and leave the listener - Christian or secular - feeling elated, which is rare in this day of dark tones and angry vocals. "What we do is kind of like melancholy happiness," Johansen says. "What I want to do with my bass lines and with our vocals is bring tears of joy from the real situations in the lyrics. Yeah, it might be dark, but there's light somewhere else." Media Orphan stands out from today's norm in another way as well. Each member has his own unique influences which he brings to the table and, with the combined forces of the four, the end result is a cutting-edge sound that can please listeners across the board. "We're very different and we know what works in different aspects of music and that helps when we bring it all together," says Petteys. "It's cool that we have so many different likes and still come together and write music together-- it's awesome." Negrete adds, "Every day I want to write that perfect song that will change the world." Media Orphan is currently on tour in support of their recent acoustic E.P. release. You've got the scoop, now catch the buzz. Biography: Michelle J. Mills Staff writer San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group