FAQ: WHAT DOES ORCAMIND MEAN?
Though most band names are inherently unusual, we get this question often enough that I have made this section about our name!
TLDR! (by Michelle):
I've been obsessed with orcas since I was little. I have a very large collection of orca memorabilia. We also have an obsession with music/performing, and we can't see ourselves doing anything else. OrcaMind represents unwavering determination towards what you are passionate about, and focusing on it with positive energy and action.
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I love orcas because their qualities reflect my connection to music and the bonds people share through it. Orcas use echolocation—essentially sound reflection—to communicate and navigate, which parallels the way musicians in a band connect through their music.
Orcas are also incredibly emotionally intelligent. Their advanced amygdala, responsible for social learning and emotional processing, surpasses that of humans. Their powerful empathy allows them to connect deeply with each other. Echolocation, like a sixth sense, is used to communication and navigation, mirroring how music goes beyond words.
Additionally, orcas have unique dialects within their pods, a form of communication that resonates with how musicians in a band speak to each other through their own "language." These connections between orcas and music inspired the name OrcaMind.
2. Josiah and I are from opposite coasts of the U.S. Though from different cultures, we share interests in ocean & marine life, and we bonded early over a specific interest in shipwrecks. Our upbringings being so different along with certain closely shared commonalities benefits our musical bond & chemistry.
3. DoubleMind - this was our first parody "band name" before we started OrcaMind. Our musical chemistry sometimes feels like telepathy. This is great when writing songs together!
4. The capital "M" in OrcaMind is a nod to the video game EarthBound, a beloved game with themes of love, fate, and positivity. It was through this game that Josiah and I connected, and we’ve since arranged many of its songs. Our first collaboration, Pollyanna, was one of the final tracks in our shift away from focusing solely on video game music. Our name symbolizes the journey that led us here.