The Orbans journey to NMF a choppy one

The Orbans
11 p.m., Saturday, Blackwatch Studios Stage

The musical journey for Fort Worth's The Orbans has been anything but smooth sailing " more like rough, choppy waters in the midst of a hurricane.

Founder Peter Black formed an outfit known as Thief in late 2004 while attending the University of Oklahoma. The band cycled through a myriad of drummers and names, but maintained constants Cliff Wright, bassist and vocalist, and guitarist Kenny Wayne. After the present-day group finally came full circle, it hit another rough patch in early 2009; while touring, the van was totaled in a head-on collision with a drunk driver.

The Orbans decided to pull the plug on the first album attempt and parted ways with their manager. A friend later introduced them to producer Adam Lasus, whose previous credits include albums by Yo La Tengo and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

"We knew it would be a great match; the creative swap was perfect. Adam brought out the best in each of us and at times we forgot we were even working," Black said.

The band recently returned from New York City with the final mastered copy of its debut album, "When We Were Wild," which drops later this year. "Emily Hopkins

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