We Speak Music
Kat Orlando Releases New Dance Single “Mean Daughter’s Wedding”
Detroit’s own Queen of Sax, Kat Orlando, follows up her electrifying soulful, funky anthem , “Love Army (Like-Minded),” with the highly danceable “Mean Daughter’s Wedding”.
Kat takes a humorous look at being a reluctant guest to her friend’s daughter’s wedding. “Mean Daughter’s Wedding” is cool grooving track that tells the bride-to-be in her imagined RSVP “please don’t get me wrong, you’ll find your Amazon in the morning…” and “have a drink for me!” What was the inpsiration for this musical look at dodging a wedding invite? Kat says she reads about these situations in the column, “Dear Abby” all the time. Reality bridezilla shows make many who may recognize that entitled arrogant type in anyone’s family or friend circle, cringe. Kat explains, “One day I was hanging out with friends and one starting talking about a friend who had two daughter’s. One was nice and the other one, engaged to be married, no so much. My friend did not want to go “to the mean daughter’s wedding.” That line was so cool to me I literally had to excuse myself from the conversa tion and go scribble down a few lines of lyrics.
Once again, Producer Gayle Brannan knows how to bring the story to life adding a pumping rhythm section, and that chunking rhythm guitar thanks to James Owens. Of course, Kat’s screaming Sax rips the song open from the start and sends it out for a strong finish. Even the horn section parts are reminiscent of Billy Joel’s ethnic-tinged “Moving Out”.
Known for her moody, funky, and gritty saxophone style, Kat Orlando has energized Detroit’s nightclub and festival stages for decades. A consummate performer and entertainer, she traverses multiple genres with ease—laying down heavy funk grooves, soaring into rock, and slipping seamlessly into pop, soul, and jazz.
Kat Orlando’s lifelong passion for music began at just four years old, inspired by the 45s her grandmother and aunt brought from their restaurant jukeboxes. Early influences ranged from the flute mastery of Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson to the vocal powerhouses Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. She studied with Denver Jazz Bebop saxophonist George Keith, honing her craft anddeveloping her unmistakable tone and phrasing. As a songwriter, she draws heavily from legends like Stevie Wonder and Prince, infusing her music with a mix of social consciousness, emotion, and irresistible groove.
On stage, she’s a dynamic force—switching effortlessly from lead vocals to sax, flute, and harmonica, all while moving with the rhythm and engaging audiences with every beat.
Swiss artist Fanny Alexandra returns with “Black Pearl Summer”, a new single that finds her exploring a more open side of her alternative sound. Released via Now Listen, the track combines coastal imagery with a story about growing through grief, pressure and the experiences that can shape a person over time.
Alexandra notes that the song is relatively summery by her own standards. She has said that her music is usually darker and that she has never been particularly drawn to the typical idea of summer, preferring cold air, jackets and rugged coastlines. That gives the release a clear sense of personality from the outset.
The song centres on Alexandra’s reflections on being 19 and spending years focused on survival rather than fully living. Those experiences are presented through the image of a black pearl, which becomes a way of considering how something worthwhile can emerge from a challenging period.
What makes the track particularly effective is the balance between its subject matter and its musical approach. The production gives the song room to breathe, while Alexandra keeps the focus firmly on the story she is telling. It means the track can be enjoyed as a seasonal release while still offering more to discover in the lyrics.
There is also a clear sense of change in the way Alexandra approaches her younger self. The song is not about returning to that period or trying to erase it. Instead, it considers what can be learned from experiences that once felt overwhelming.
“Black Pearl Summer” therefore offers newcomers a useful introduction to Alexandra’s work. It shows an artist comfortable writing about serious subjects, while also demonstrating a lighter musical side that may not be as familiar to listeners who know her darker material.
It is an interesting glimpse of what Alexandra can do when she lets a little more light into the picture.
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