- Nedelja: 3oM vs NuYorican soul
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synergetic
2003 - 2010
synergetic
/sɪnərˈdʒɛtɪk/
pertaining to the interaction of elements that, when combined, produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual contributions.
The fifth septennial's embrace,
brought loner to collective space.
Ideas converged, our synergy soared,
in common pursuit, united, we roared.
EXPLORE: V. synergetic
"Synergetic" perfectly captures my 5th septennial: a journey from creative isolation to collaboration. This epoch of my life embodies the creative Iuventus, of emerging creative adult crafting the narrative of self with greater awareness and intention. Through the alchemy of conjoined spaces I realized that melding individual talents didn't merely add to our creative pool; it multiplied its depths and revolutionized our collective creative conscience. We didn't just reach for new heights - we constructed them, brick by interlocking brick, creating edifices of creativity that stood as monuments to the power of united pursuit. Simultaneously, my curiosity expanded beyond the obvious, drawing me to explore what lies behind façades of everyday reality. The curtain, once a mere theatrical prop, evolved into a symbol for life's complex layers; I started travelling and seeking for the raw truth beneath the surface, stripping away veneer after veneer, in a quest to uncover the unvarnished core.
LP #2
6
tracks
3
interludes
side A
triseptennial crash landing
triseptennial edit
original edition w/ a parting smooch
succinct disposition
synergetic reflection
side B
live abbreviated
live abbreviated
live abbreviated
feedback coda
THREE OF MANY [3oM] emerged at the zenith of my DJ career, out of an initiative set up with Miran, aka DJ Funk33 - a live house cover ensemble called "Luvtown". Our trio, each hailing from diverse soundscapes - Dušan Knežević with his classical roots in violin and bass, Gašper Piano with his autodidactic flair on the guitar, and myself from behind the turntables and my computer - manifested a distinctive sonic fusion. Our name hinted at our humble acknowledgement of being but a trio in an ocean of musicians, yet it also alluded to an "open format" concept. We envisioned ourselves as a nucleus, with the intention of inviting and weaving in the distinct styles of other artists into our music's fabric. Our commitment to musical excellence did, however, impose a challenging entry threshold for potential collaborators. Years of honing our craft, particularly the symbiotic rhythmical relationship among our elements, meant that even minor deviations or imprecision could unsettle the entire musical structure we had meticulously assembled. It was Tricky...
A succinct version of the original "Crash landing" intro to our debut 2004 EP Tricky Trigger, coming off of 1968 "Planet of the apes" movie, which we used as a basis for the overarching aesthetic theme of the release.
The first of three interpretations comprising our debut release, marking the initial public introduction to the music of Three of Many. I created a video [YouTube embed] for it by utilizing footage from a 1963 public-domain "bicycle safety" short film "One got fat", which got aired on the national television. This EP features our inaugural collaborations with guest artists: Blaž Celarec on congas (all versions), Boris Holešek on trumpet and Jani Prgić on trombone (the second game), and Damir Višič on sarod (sneaky club version).
A:03 [ released on 2004 Tricky Trigger EP ]
Tricky trigger: the second game
original edition w/ a parting smooch
Our second rendition reimagines the original theme within a relaxed atmosphere, spotlighting Boris on trumpet, while featuring a cascading rhythmic complexity we likened to "switching gears". It features alluring call-and-response dynamic among the components, and is a signature showcase of 3oM's interlocking groove structure.
Gang mentality saw a reversal to staple roles within our core structure, as it is Dule who introduces the lead melodic theme of the track. We premiered it live at MCC Celje, where an iconic moment during the track's primary breakdown occurred: Gaši embarked on a solo leading to the track's crescendo, with only gentle pads for company, devoid of any rhythmic elements to obviously highlight the tempo. Suddenly, the audience began to rave loudly, clapping in a rhythm utterly out of sync. This caught us completely off guard.. it took immense focus to ignore these erratic throbs and stay aligned with the actual pulse.
fun fact:
Tracks's intro features a really low sub bass, that most Hi-Fi speakers can't reproduce, and consequently goes unnoticed, yet when we started it at MCC on its large sound system, it hit so unexpectedly hard, that it shook the entire stage, and I could hear somebody in the audience exclaim "oh my god!" in surprise.
A flashback to our time w/ Nimai A. Roy during the creation of 3oM remix for Kissik's inaugural release Il je vedro in 2006. This project was a one-of-a-kind for us, being the only remix we've ever undertaken. Vasja and Davor's project is an interesting one, as it a reinterprets a "sevdalinka" - they took this Bosnian folk song spanning back several centuries and turned it.. disco. We put our own unique spin on it, crafting an entirely new sonic world for Aldijana's vocal, driven by intricate beats interlocked w/ Nimai's tablas.
fun fact:
During the breakdown of our Il je vedro a second vocal unexpectedly chimes in with "on the beat!". This was a serendipitous mishap that happened when I overlooked trimming one of Nimai's tabla recordings. We loved the unique flair it added, so we decided to keep it.
3oM: CORE LIVE
After the release of Tricky Trigger we pivoted from crafting music to perfecting our stage act. While committed to making our premiere a memorable spectacle, we were nevertheless reluctant showmen, adamant in not becoming a showy circus act we collectively disliked. To work around this we leveraged a recent jump in computer processing capabilities - I engineered a setup akin to a video MIDI synthesizer, enabling me to simultaneously stir our beats and marshal a harmony of visuals from my digital command center. The resulting tapestry of video clips, pulsing and changing in perfect time with us, effectively morphed our gig into a seamless live music video.
We unveiled our innovative multimedia experience at the "Forum", in our own stomping ground. Having orchestrated the entire affair autonomously, from concept to execution, the result was an unparalleled experience, earning enthusiastic plaudits. A specialist team was brought onboard to film the event, which led to the prompt release of our sophomore venture, Core Live! highlights DVD, encapsulating the essence of our distinct act.
Two is the second track off our DVD from the inaugural live performance. It's one of the oldest 3oM creations, that also had a serendipitous vocal sketch early on, we affectionately dubbed Nedelja.. one day, a bar of this instrumental was playing on loop in the background while I was previewing some records on my turntables, and to my surprise an acapella by Nuyorican Soul synced up almost perfectly. This enticing mashup prompted our desire to work with vocalists, however, that never came to fruition.
fun fact:
While every other 3oM beat was crafted from the ground up without relying on loop samples, this one includes the iconic breakbeat from "Funky Drummer" by James Brown as a tribute to one of the most influential loops, whose unique vibrancy alone spawned multiple genres.
Masters of our universe is notable for its rich melodic theme propelled by 2-step-esque beats, intricately deconstructed and woven into captivating interplay, gracefully reprised in the chorus, and climaxing in a distorted crescendo.. I consider it one of our finest performances.
This track had a working title "54" due to its vibrant rhythmical interplay that alternates seamlessly between 4/4 and 5/4 time signatures. It was the crowd's favorite at our debut live performance, enhanced by a dynamic and provocative space-age background video, that propelled the overall sensory experience over the top.
Revisiting the finale of our last live performance during the "Redbull flight club" event at Escape, Celje, the outro's title pays homage to the legendary Beastie Boys song "Three MCs and One DJ", replaying my introduction of us on stage - everyone as a DJ, with me as the sole MC; a reprise of the way Rambo Amadeus hilariously introduced his band at the Exit festival in Serbia, an event we attended a few years prior.
I find myself unable to adequately convey my immense gratitude to the Universe for aligning my path with Gaši and Dule - my dear friends, your existence is a blessing. A shoutout to all those who provided support in our endeavors, especially to Mišo Knežević, Miha Pirc, Aleš Uratnik, Mark Požlep and Hana Vodeb, Niko of Micron Multimedia, Brane Piano, Miran Pratnekar, Tomaž Laibacher.
