Orvis Bio

Orvis picked up a guitar at age ten and was instantly bitten by the Rock N’ Roll animal. At night on the quiet Pimicikimak Cree Nation Orvis was in his room learning the guitar, singing, and letting his hair down in front of the mirror to Collective Soul, Buckcherry, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Serious songwriting came after the discovery of the Beatles. Orvis’ writing became sophisticated, tuneful, and always looking to push boundaries in sound.

Orvis’ first recorded solo material came in 2012-2013 with songs Wonderful and Dreaming at Winnipeg’s Private Ear Recording with Neil Cameron helming the console. From 2014-2017 Orvis worked with acclaimed Canadian Rock producer Dale Penner on several songs which ignited Orvis’ interest in experimental recording methods. “Dale has a way of throwing everything and the kitchen sink in the mix, which got me out of relying on the usual drums, bass, and guitars for hooks.  His unique approach to arrangements is also a big influence,” said Orvis of his sessions with Penner.

2020 saw Orvis recording at Studio-23 in St. Anne, Manitoba with producer/engineer Jody Hunter.  The following year Orvis started his own record label Broken Cloud Entertainment. Love In Vain (Single Version) was released in October 2022 and received airplay on SiriusXM. The recently released (Spring 2023) Love In Vain EP showcases Orvis’ songwriting abilities and diversity as a recording artist with heartfelt cover songs of Muddy Waters and folk songstress Ol’ Whitetail. There Was a Time (Single Version) entered the Indigenous Music Countdown in April 2023 and peaked at number 9. Love In Vain EP V2 was released on CD in limited quantities in August ’23 and features the newly re-recorded single Dreaming (2023 Version).  In 2023 Orvis was selected as an emerging artist for the Manitoba Arts Network’s RBC Touring & Showcase Program.  The Orvis EP was released to all streaming platforms on November 4, 2023. A promotional music video for Wonderful (2023 Version) directed by Patryk Szmidt and produced by Kicker Films was released on February 13, 2024. In May 2024 Orvis embarked on the Manitoba Arts Network Indigenous Northern Spring Tour with Gator Beaulieu and YBK Shakur. The trio visited and performed in The Pas, Grand Rapids, and Sapotaweyak among other remote northern Manitoba communities. Late 2024 will see the release of Orvis’ Abandon Love Songs Vol. 1: BUMP. BUMP will feature a return to the rock music style that first inspired Orvis to pick up the guitar and step in front of a mic.

Orvis is a veteran of the Selkirk music scene with time spent in bands such as the Bloodshots, November Underground, and The Cheap Escape. Orvis’ songwriting and guitar-work graces the debut album by Selkirk cult-favourites November Underground. For his work with the Bloodshots, Orvis won a Native American Music Award for Best Rock Video for the single No Way Out. As a member of bands Orvis has opened for Canadian Rock luminaries Jet Set Satellite, Moist, and Monster Truck among many others.

Orvis belongs to a traditional Cree/Ojibway family with multicultural roots and was raised in his home community of Pimicikimak Cree Nation.  Orvis currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Orvis leads a Country music cover band, Orvis & His Higher Guns, consisting of Winnipeg’s best of the best session and live players. Orvis is an adept recording session player specializing in bass, electric and acoustic guitar, as well as voice. Orvis’ Dale Penner and Neil Cameron-produced material was compiled and released in 2020 as an EP with sales to benefit Winnipeg’s un-housed population.