Orchidae

BIOGRAPHY

Orchidae is the solo project of Yolande Laroche, a queer Canadian Taiwanese artist based in Gatineau, Quebec. Releasing her debut solo album True Beginning with Birthday Cake Records April 4th 2025, Laroche draws inspiration from her Mandarin name 兰 (Lan), symbolizing the orchid flower.

The name Orchidae reflects the artist's cultural heritage and the essence of her music. With a background in classical clarinet, Laroche combines her classical training with avant-pop elements, creating a sound that is both intimate and profound.

True Beginning marks the first steps of Yolande’s musical journey as a lead songwriter. Her songs are compelling explorations of self-discovery, transformation, and personal growth, traversing confident electronic pop songs to heartfelt piano ballads.

Beyond her solo work, Yolande Laroche is a seasoned music educator and a versatile multi-instrumentalist, proficient in clarinet, keys, and voice. While she has played as a session musician for over a decade and is part of the art-rock band Pony Girl (Paper Bag Records), Yolande’s project Orchidae sees the artist in full bloom.

Music

True Beginning marks Orchidae’s first steps as a songwriter, diving deep into the transformative journey of self-discovery and acceptance. This album is an exploration of the willingness to step into the unknown, confront inner darkness, and emerge on the other side as a stronger, more authentic self. Each track reflects a step in the healing process, shedding the old and embracing a new, healthier version of oneself. Themes of letting go, facing fears, and finding joy in transformation run throughout, symbolizing the beauty of change. True Beginning is not just an album; it's a sonic journey towards finding home and trust within yourself.

True Beginning is out now on all platforms.

Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Youtube Music

Music Videos

Sun and the Stars delves into the challenges of romantic co-dependency, portraying a relationship where personal boundaries and identities become entangled. With lyrics reflecting the struggle to maintain individuality, the song invites listeners to consider the delicate balance between love and self-preservation.

Filmed and Edited by Conor Devries

Mouth Breathing Fire encourages listeners to look inward, urging self-acceptance, and confronts the pain of the societal tendency to erase color, culture and identity. As the arpeggiated synthesizer weaves through the track, emphasizing the ongoing the journey of growth, the song aims to inspire listeners to evolve into better versions of themselves.

Filmed by Nick Schofield and edited by Yolande Laroche