Sky Orchid

Sky Orchid was named after an near death out of body experience as described by the band's grandfather when he was seven years old. Suffering from tuberculosis during the European tuberculosis outbreak, he was declared clinical dead. During that time he was launched into a beautiful paradise where the pain was gone and he could feel the warm breeze on his face, heard the beautiful birds and walk through the wonderful Orchid garden. Content with the idea of being in this paradise for an eternity, he was suddenly sucked back in to his ailing body where he again felt pain, suffering, and misery. Their grandfather spent the rest of his life longing to experience the "Sky Orchid"

The making of Oculus, Sky Orchid’s debut LP, was not a brief or precise task.  Without a step-by-step process or checklist, it was a very organic process.  Some of the songs were written during the recording process while others were written years ago.  At 7 years ago, Breathe Easy is the oldest song and began in the brothers’ garage with friends Justin Sanchez and Roberto Rodriguez.  The song represents a simpler time in their lives.  On the flip side there are songs such as The River and Sneakers which encompass a much more serious and ambitious sound.  One could say that Oculus captures a critical snapshot in Sky Orchid’s live, but it isn’t solely about them.  Rather, like looking into an oculus, it can be interpreted in different ways for anybody.

Brothers Gabriel and Daniel Traknyak, the only two permanent members of Sky Orchid, have been playing together for almost a decade. Their bond creates a distinct aura in the music that is so prodigious you can feel their rhythmic and melodic ambience both live and in recordings. The older brother, Gabriel, takes on a critical niche in the band because he composes and records the lead guitar, bass, synths, keyboards, and vocal parts. Gabriel has a sincere and laid back style.  In contrast, Daniel summons all of his energy and attention towards the backbone of the music: the drums. These two contrasting mindsets allow Sky Orchid to propagate into an eminent consonance through Gabriel's melodic vitality and Daniel's rhythmic tenacity.

 Sky Orchid has played shows all across Houston and Kansas as well as accompanying Restless November on a joint trip to perform and record in Nashville, Tennessee in the summer of 2017. Executing concerts with soulful, groovy rhythms and powerful rock breakdowns that can kick a house down, the contrast in their songs range from subtle, relaxing verses to dramatic choruses and epic guitar solos. Be sure to listen to Sky Orchid's Debut Album, "Oculus"!