Step into the world of Van Plating, the enigmatic artist who has defied genres and captivated audiences throughout her solo career. As she ventures into crafting her third album, Orange Blossom Child, set to bloom on the 15th of September 2023, this multi-talented musician and producer is determined to unveil the unique essence of Florida's music. Behold the birth of what she aptly calls "Orange Blossom Country."
Orange Blossom Child (OBC) is Van Plating's immersive musical world, born from her desire to create something uniquely her own. Throughout the album's creation and mixing process, her influences naturally came to light, resulting in a sound that authentically represented her upbringing. OBC combines elements of her family heritage—bluegrass, old-time/outlaw country—with the sounds that shaped her adolescence—Tom Petty, Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan. Van Plating's natural voice and prominent violin playing serve as defining features, while her artistic journey becomes a period of profound discovery.
Van Plating's journey began after her stint at Florida Southern College, where she delved into the enchanting realms of violin and voice. In her 20s, she serenaded audiences with her band, Pemberley, affectionately named after the estate in the timeless tale of Pride & Prejudice. Together, they forged a path towards success, sharing stages with the likes of Copeland, The Postmarks, Matt Pond PA, and Margot & the Nuclear So and So's. Life was a symphony of triumph—until the unexpected silence.
A hiatus spanning nine years ensued, but Van Plating resurfaced in 2019, gracing the world with her self-titled LP—a melodic masterpiece that would feel right at home among those who cherished the Lilith Fair. The album caught the attention of major outlets, yet it was on her sophomore creation, The Way Down (2021), that she truly embarked on a transformative journey. Infusing her music with a touch of twang on the road to Americanatown, her songs took a darker, existential turn, exuding wisdom and nostalgia that etched themselves indelibly in the listener's soul.
Her freshly evolved sound reverberated throughout the industry, securing her a coveted spot at Americanafest and earning her praise from Paste Sessions. Major music publications in the genre, such as No Depression, American Songwriter, Wide Open Country, Guitar Girl Magazine, The Boot, Ditty TV, and Americana UK, each vied for the opportunity to showcase her undeniable talent.
The success she garnered propelled her further, igniting a flame of confidence within. While diligently working on demos for her next record, she also produced the debut album of a buzzworthy artist from upstate New York—none other than the sensational liv. It was during this collaborative venture that the seeds of “Orange Blossom Country” sprouted, granting her the freedom to explore new musical territories.
“As I delved into my art, I found myself contemplating the power of place and narrative,” Van Plating revealed. “My upcoming record dives even deeper into that connection—unleashing the raw vulnerability that stems from my roots in the orange groves and scorching, verdant summers of the sunshine state.”
Van Plating's upcoming album is a deeply personal exploration of her family's journey and the concept of home in rural Florida during the latter half of the 20th century. Every element, from the lyrical content to the musical influences, is intricately tied to the specific time and geographical location. With a blend of folk, bluegrass, 80s Tom Petty, and cosmic country rock akin to Gram Parsons, Van Plating crafts a captivating sonic tapestry that reflects her upbringing and heritage. It's a heartfelt and evocative journey that transports listeners to the essence of rural Florida.
“I thought that if I was going to dive into family history I wanted to pull from the folk and rock-n-roll influences of my parents. So while these thoughts were marinading last summer I found myself reading an issue of our local magazine Haven all about the roots music originating in this area. What I learned blew my mind. I knew Tom Petty was from Gainesville. I knew all the bluegrass pickers I grew up hearing on the weekends. But the depth of the roots of country rocknroll being from right here in Polk County FL totally threw me, and I knew immediately I wanted to lean into that. I wondered if I could get Gram’s original drummer to guest on a song or two (he did). In traveling around playing songs I’d noticed that people who didn’t know me often assumed I was from somewhere other than here—I got a lot of “you must be from Texas” or “great to have a Nashville artist on our stage tonight?” It used to happen all the time despite me never claiming to be from anywhere but here! And on a whim that research led me to coining a genre I’m calling Orange Blossom Country. The roots are here. Why not claim it and give it a name? This album is my love letter to growing up in Orange Blossom Country.”
Orange Blossom Child bloomed over seven months from October 2022 to May 2023. Recorded in her Lakeland home studio, she meticulously crafted each song, embracing collaboration with 33 performers from the US and Ireland. The album showcases the fruits of their labor, resulting in a harmonious symphony reminiscent of a flourishing botanical garden. The intensive creative process, filled with Facetime calls and text messages, reflects the intricate interplay of petals and roots. Van Plating's eye twitching at the end attests to the immense effort poured into this artistic endeavor. Prepare to be enchanted by the melodic blooms that emerge from this collaboration of extraordinary souls.
Feel the electrifying jams that resonate from the core of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers, their musical roots entwined with the very essence of the earth. Allow the soul-stirring lyrics of John Anderson to stir emotions deep within. This is an unassuming American tradition—a harmonious offspring born of violins, banjos, and guitars, wild and untamed like the untrodden marshlands. In smoky bars, where humidity hangs heavy, amplifiers crackle and sizzle with the fervor of a botanical storm. And yet, amidst its organic tapestry, this Americana fearlessly embraces the pulsating rhythms of drum machines and the hypnotic allure of Miami bass—why shy away when such harmonious alchemy awaits?
This is music that springs forth from the fertile soil of honesty, transcending the superficial trends and fleeting scenes. Its roots run deep, intertwining with passions that have ripened through the seasons of adulthood. Like the resilient flora, it defies definition, much like the enigmatic Van Plating herself. Rather than forcing herself into someone else's confined container, she took it upon herself to cultivate a garden of her own—a sonic oasis where her unique brilliance blooms, unfettered by convention or expectation.
So, wander into this botanical wonderland, where melodies sway like graceful branches, harmonies flourish like vibrant petals, and rhythms pulsate like the very heartbeat of nature herself. Allow yourself to be captivated by the allure of Van Plating and her audacious creation. Let the power of music rooted in truth and authenticity transport you to a realm where imagination knows no bounds.
“I want it to be really clear that I made this thing, this was my specific vision and my objective, I am the Orange Blossom Child after all, and along the way, I invited people to join me in the process, and the thing that ended up being created is so much larger, more colorful and more lush than anything I would have created if I’d been the only one playing everything. In order to reach all those influences I mentioned above, from early bluegrass, to outlaw country, to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and cosmic country of the Flying Burrito Brothers, I needed to invite people in who lived in those colors, to contribute their threads to the tapestry of my Orange Blossom Child story. The same with inviting singers. They added a depth and richness to every mix that it didn’t have without them. I handpicked them all myself, and I’m honored to have them. No one is an island. This time I didn’t create like one.”