THE BAND
"Well, the last time I formed an original band was 17 years ago, that is to say 17 orbits around the sun. At the time I thought this was going to be an instrumental jazz-fusion project and I liked the idea of a sort of sci-fi jazz band. But then at some point I started singing and things took a wild left turn!" - Jamie
Orbit 17 is an experimental independent rock band based in California's Bay Area. The band was founded by Jamie Brite and Misha Guiffre in 2022, with Ryan Senft joining on drums in 2023 and Mary Herigstad-Franz joining on vocals and synthesizers in 2024.
Known for their intricate arrangements and Jamie's searing live guitar work, Orbit 17 exploits the capabilities of modern technology while remaining emotionally grounded and accessible. The music examines the conflict between the digital and the analog, and forces the two into an uneasy momentary harmony. They often explore unusual territory for popular music, such as odd time signatures and uncommon harmonic modes. However, the songs never drift fully into progressive or experimental territory and remain hypnotic and radio friendly, if perhaps a bit “otherworldly.”
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.
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.
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.