We got to chat with Orang Utan around the release of their Summer banger “Summer Simmer” with West Rose.
Who’s behind the name of Orang Utan?
Orang Utan is two anonymous musical monkeys that are well-versed in dance music production and like having a good time. Like the actual Orangutan species, Orang Utan the artist duo like to live a life of leisure high up in the treetops, and swoop down to the forest floor or nightclubs when a good night of dancing is in order.
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your upcoming single “Summer Simmer” and how the collaboration with West Rose came about?
This single is bananas. We wanted to make a summer anthem that has a tinge of melancholy to it. This is a tune that’s tailormade for an Ibiza sunset or an early desert morning closing track at a Las Vegas club. There’s always a fleeting nature to summer – you never want it to never end, but it always eventually does. And we think this track poetically captures that energy well. Our label Position Music put us in touch with West Rose—she has a great voice and killed it!
“Summer Simmer” combines elements of new-wave pop and dance music. Could you explain how you approached blending these genres to create a unique sound?
Yeah it blurs the line between both genres. I think we wanted a hook and melody that was accessible and inviting to many with a bassline and drum pattern that harkens back to 80’s house and vintage disco music with some subtle hints of early electronica. A lot of Orang Utan songs have this special blend of different dance genres, and we’re happy to never be pidgeoned hole’d into a certain box with this project.
As a DJ/producer duo, you’ve achieved significant success in the global electronic music scene.
Yeah we’re lucky. And this is only the beginning. We’ve been fortunate to connect with a wide swath of dance music fans early on, and we look forward to be connected to many more who find and identify with the Orang Utan sound.
How do you feel your music stands out and contributes to the evolution of the genre?
Sometimes dance music can get dark and methodical and even formulaic. With Orang Utan, we want to bring the happy, playful, and euphoric vibes back to dance music. Heavy synths, singable lyrics, and a unique colorfulness is what we bring to the table— something that can sometimes get lost or overlooked in today’s scene.
What are some memorable experiences you’ve had while performing in different cities?
Last year we were able to DJ at a beach party in Cannes, which was an absolute blast! Other than that, we mostly focus on making music in the studio, but we are hoping to play more gigs in the future. We like to DJ other people’s music too, so we’re also really open to dialing in our live show experience when the opportunities arise.
Can you share any upcoming projects or plans for Orang Utan that your fans can look forward to in the near future?
We are cooking up some amazing new songs for Orang Utan, and potentially talking to some more remixers. We had Dimitri Vegas edit our song “Sugarmama,” and that went over really well. Le Boome De Tschaque jumped on “Who’s Your Love” and that was fun. We’ve also committed to giving away 50% of our profit on “Summer Simmer” to wildlife protection, which is something we’re super passionate about so it’s been great to give back.
We love to collaborate with other artists so hopefully more of that energy in 2024 and beyond. Stay tuned!
Orang Utan Socials
