OK037 - Or:la by Off-Kilter

The latest Off-Kilter audio submission is a dive into Or:la’s expansive vision of sound - a downtempo mix of slung drums, abstract electronics and heady vocals. As an artist, Or:la navigates effortlessly through many channels of electronic expression. Here, she revisits music from her influential past with a mix that is deep, meandering and rich with texture - nailing the brief with pin-point precision - and transporting us into a dream like state.

In her own words:

"I kept to the ‘off-kilter' brief for this one and wanted to put together a mix you can just zone out to, with less of the twists and energy shifts I usually go for in my DJ sets. A lot of the tracks mean something personal to me like the Holger Czukay one at the very end, which I first heard at uni around 2012 while watching Morvern Callar in a film studies class - the whole soundtrack really stuck with me and ended up playing a big part in me drifting away from visual arts and getting into music."

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Throughout Or:la's journey as an artist, the Derry-born producer and DJ has carved out her own niche and consistently strived to escape categorisation gaining her a BBC Radio 1 Residency, an Essential mix, and DJ Mag's ‘Best DJ’ award. From running DIY parties in abandoned shops whilst studying in Liverpool, to securing some of the best club residencies around the world, Or:la's story is organic and authentic.

Staying true to her explorative propensity, Or:la 's debut album arrived via Fabric Originals in 2024 and is a testament to her ability to fluidly traverse tempos and energies. Or:la takes a similarly chameleonic approach to her DJ sets - although there's an impalpable emphasis on melody, rhythm and texture, you never really know what you might get other than a preference to follow mood over genre. Orlagh Dooley's DIY mentality extends far beyond the DJ booth - as the boss of former Deep Sea Frequency and her current label, Céad, she nurtures a community of diverse artists who share her passion for less categorizable dance music including NIKS, Primrose, Blu Terra and FAFF. The label's releases emphasize quality and creativity across a wide sonic spectrum. Since her debut EP 'UK Lonely' on Hotflush Recordings in 2017, Dooley has collaborated on a broad range of remixes, from David Holmes/Killing Eve's "Unloved" to dance floor-focused labels like Spray and Woozy. Or:la continues to run her queer-focused event series ‘La Potion', which celebrates and shines a spotlight on queer creatives. Now based back in the UK, Orlagh Dooley remains integral to the clubbing scene as a promoter and community builder, pouring her heart and soul into the place where she found her musical voice.

@orla_cd