Naranjo

Michael Naranjo, singer, songwriter and guitarist from One Day Remains, is back with a new band, a new album and a new sound. Saints and Sinners, to be released end - October, is the first offering from the eponymous Naranjo, and sees the songwriter swapping his guitar for bass and joining forces with acclaimed musicians Ghapi on drums and Ryan Schnettler on guitar. It’s also the first time Naranjo as been in the studio since a hijacking last year, during which he was shot three times. The incident has had a profound effect on his music, as fans will discover. “The hijacking woke me up to how precious life is,” he explains. “It was a turning point in my life – it made me realise that there really is a bigger purpose.” Hence his decision to start afresh with a new band which, he says, has given him the platform to express authentic emotions based on his observations of people. “In a sense, Naranjo is a return to my roots. My career in music started with praise and worship singing before we turned to rock ‘n roll and Naranjo is definitely more reflective of my spirituality.” He adds that the band’s sound developed organically, when he was introduced to Ghapi by Los Angeles-based singer Dilana, with whom he was working at the time. What started as a song writing session evolved quickly when Naranjo suggested he and Schnettler partner with Ghapi. “As artists, we were united by a sense of frustration that people are not happy to step out of their comfort zones,” Naranjo muses. The trio are also connect by a great feeling of mutual respect – and this manifests in music which, in Naranjo’s words, is a pure sound developing out of their natural affinity. So, what can fans expect from Saints and Sinners? Naranjo’s gift at song writing is evident in lyrics that are as insightful and thought-provoking as ever, although he guesses that some may find them a little angry. There’s a reason for that, though: he is determined to urge fans to stop taking for granted their freedom. The songs themselves show Naranjo’s mellower side; he calls them “more refined and carefully thought through.” They’re also powerful, with Naranjo’s distinctive voice complimented by a riffs that create a rock sound that’s as emotive as it is accessible. Naranjo explains that the name of his new band is a firm reminder of where he comes from, but the release of Saints and Sinners – which will be accompanied by a DVD – proves that this is a band with a very bright future.