WE ARE ORBIT17
Orbit 17 is an experimental independent rock band based in Portland, Oregon. Known locally for their intimate arrangements and front-woman Jamie Brite’s expressive live guitar work, Orbit 17 explores the tension between the digital and the analog, forcing the two into an uneasy harmony. Raw guitar lines often collide with sweeping synthesizers, creating a soundscapes that feel otherworldly yet still human.
Originally founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2022 by Jamie Brite and Misha Guiffre, the project expanded with the addition of drummer Ryan Senft in 2023 and vocalist/synthesist Mary Herigstad-Franz in 2024.
After playing extensively throughout the Bay Area and releasing a self-recorded EP, Orbit 17 has since relocated to Portland, where they are re-imagining their sound ahead of the release of their first studio album, Betrayer.
JAMIE
// vocals
// guitar
Originally hailing from the swamps of southern Louisiana, Jamie picked up her first guitar at 15 and hasn’t put it down since. She left Louisiana at 22 and spent time in both Seattle and Tucson before settling in the Bay Area.
When not making cosmic waves from the Orbit 17 Moonbase, Jamie can be found hiking the many trails around the Bay Area, working on her bucket list of visiting all of the US National Parks or just visiting the local record shop to expand her growing collection of vinyl LPs.
DAGAN
// drums
Dagan is a touring and session drummer based here in Portland. He began his drumming life in the Indiana DIY punk circuit in the early 2000’s.
In 2007 he joined the indie-rock band Murder by Death and has been on the road and making records full time since. His other projects include Billy Liar and the Haunted Hearts, and now Orbit 17.
Previous Members
MISHA
// bass
Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Misha began playing bass at 16 years old. In addition to bass, Misha is also a multi-instrumentalist that plays guitar and keyboards. With Orbit 17, he flexes some different creative muscles. The band is an outlet to explore prog, rock, and funk with complex chord voicings and odd time signatures.
A massive fan of classic dub reggae, some of his favorite artists are King Tubby, Lee Scratch Perry, Scientist, Niney The Observer, King Jammy, The Upsetters, and Mad Professor. Misha also loves mountain biking and hanging out with his doggies.
MARY
// vocals
// synthesizers
Mary is a Bay Area native and lifelong performer. She joined choir and started performing in plays and musicals at the age of seven and has been hooked on singing, acting and dancing ever since.
Outside of singing she’s a huge movie buff, sushi lover, loves to dance ballet (badly) and hang out with her dog, Super. You can find her haunting the Bay Area music venues most nights, Tecate in hand.
RYAN
// drums
Ryan’s first gig was banging out beats on the passenger side dashboard of his family’s station wagon at eight years old. Top 40 radio coming through the speakers, he couldn’t stop playing along as they rolled through rural Pennsylvania. His parents signed him up for drum lessons, and he’s been a student of rhythm ever since. Ryan is thrilled to be anchoring the sophisticated sounds and arrangements of Orbit 17. He also enjoys spending time outdoors on the trails around the San Francisco Bay.