NEW ALBUM! “DE CALL”
In modern fictional derivation of the album title De Call, turbulent times in which humanity has found itself, not just humanity, are embraced in new Arbteaters music as the world is often torn apart by strong but different ideas, which in recent times do not indicate any symbiosis and coherence. The music from the new album is here to immortalize this, but at the same time it stops us as a listener and reminds us: When will people think deeply and process everything, or at least most of what is actually happening…
Like the two albums before, the new album, is compositionally intensive in the variety of compositions made by four authors, which they compose within the Artbeaters group. Despite the fact that the various compositions are meaningfully connected to the core idea, (what became Artbeaters recognized sound and trademark), the album is very different from the last two.
The story of Artbeaters began in January 2011, when Peter Ugrin (violin) returned from his studies in New York and was invited to already established rhythm section who was searching for a front man. After the first months of intense rehearsals, the group reached a new level of their comprehensive and unique sound image. A special feature of the group’s music is the acoustic sound of the violin, many times modified by electronic effects.
Since the members of the band are all educated jazz musicians, they respect their heritage, which is why jazz influence can be felt in the band’s music, but it is never overwhelming in their own compositions. Artbeaters’s arrangements of songs are stylishly diverse, ranging from spontaneous polyrhythmic patterns to emotional ballads. The year 2012 was extremely successful for Artbeaters. They won the first prize at the International Jazz Competition Europafest 2012 in Romania, outshining a tough competition of 120 groups from all over the world. Another of the group’s successes in 2012 was the recording of their live concert by Slovenian national television (RTV Slovenia) for ‘Slovenian Jazz Scene’ TV show.
In January 2013 their first album ‘Garden of Adventure’ was launched. It was positively reviewed by international jazz critics, and the group gave many successful concerts in Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Serbia, ranging from Jazz Festivals to Mainstream stages. Artbeaters have enclosed summer 2013 concert period by winning 3 top Slovenian prizes in jazz (best band, best composition, best performance) on ‘The International Jazzinty Festival and Workshop’ in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
Further on, members of the jazz group Artbeaters have merged into a new, expanded Quintet for the thrilling new second studio album ‘Life Compass On!’ From then on, the group has been consisting of five Slovenian jazz musicians: Peter Ugrin on violin, Marko Čepak Maki on guitar, Aleš Ogrin on piano, Ilj Pušnik on bass an Aljoša Jerič on drums, and the musicians continue their nique musical journey.
In 2017 Artbeaters performed and represented Slovenia on the International Jazz Day live. The concert was widely broadcasted on all European Jazz Radios which collaborated with International Jazz Day network. On top of that Artbeaters were chosen to represent Slovenia at 2017 European Jazz Conference. The complete album ‘Life Compass On!’ was a big success, further on in was specially arranged for Artbeaters and Slovenian national television and radio RTV Big Band with whom they performed live in 2017.
In late 2023 the group recorded their third studio album of eight completely new compositions. The promotion tour will start in Summer 2024.