ROMAN(US): The Secret Lives of Trees

Roman(US)

The Secret Lives of Trees

© 2007 J.Duque/F. Duque (614346033525)

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Ambient, Electronica, Experimental

notes

ROMAN(US)

The Secret Lives of Trees

The debut release, The Secret Lives of Trees, from Roman(us) is an innovative, eclectic and impressively cohesive collection of tracks that leaves listeners feeling deeply satisfied ear to ear, head to toe. This well-balanced team of two has generated 13 mood-inducing tracks; each one distinct and engaging –some pulsing with purpose and very bold and animate; some are more dark and earthy; and some are fluid even vaporous in feel. All have a sound so rich and emotive that it becomes an almost visual experience. This is not a surprising quality coming from two film-loving artists! In fact one of the tracks is included in an artistically motivated documentary, Landscapes in a Truck –a film by Andres Duque. Taking advantage of technology and timing, J and F Roman finally joined forces as ROMAN(US) to bring The Secret Lives of Trees to life.


Partnering Across the Atlantic

This project, and some key advances in technology, provided an opportunity to explore a new and engaging process to create this album remotely. With F in Barcelona, Spain and J here in the US – ‘passing’ tracks back and forth created a unique dynamic which pushed their spontaneity and creativity to new heights. Other than not physically not being in the same room while working, and the time change, the challenges were surprisingly few, and the excitement stayed high as each wondered what the other would do to each piece in progress! Staying in constant communication was not only necessary for this creative process to work, but was also fun, inspiring, and very satisfying for two cousins who balance each other so well musically, professionally and personally. With J’s structured and intimate knowledge of arranging pieces and harmonic and theory concepts -and F’s natural talents for melodic mastery –this team of two is a perfect match! This is just the beginning of the electronic excellence to be heard from ROMAN(US).

Growing up and making music.

J and F grew up together in Caracas, Venezuela actively playing together in typical high-school style garage bands for several fun-filled years. With J on drums and F on vocals, and others joining in youthful explorations inspired by various After high school, as is the common right of passage, diverse interests, college careers, individual musical projects and busy lives beckoned -and though always staying in close touch, their joint musical ventures went on an extended hiatus J attending Berklee School of Music and F heading to Barcelona, Spain where he played in a variety of rock bands and began his work in the film industry.

J and F had long-wanted to do a project like The Secret Lives of Trees. Until now, the many miles between Portsmouth, NH and Barcelona Spain, along with myriad independent projects and very busy lives were hurdles too big to jump to make this project happen, despite the long-held desire. At long last, their availability and the advancement of (music software and internet) technology has aligned with their passion and ability for working together. The years of conversations about teaming up again to make music along with a little additional inspiration from the RPM Challenge have finally brought them, and us, to this moment. They’ve done it, and done it well. And it wont stop here –stay tuned for more from ROMAN(US) coming soon.
RPM Challenge: www.rmpchallenge.com

reviews

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  • A Transatlantic Ambient Musical Collaboration Comes To Life
    author: Manny Hernandez, Top 75 Amazon.com Reviewer

    The sound of water... drops falling, in a cascade... foggy woods, in a distant land... these are all feelings that the latest project by Roman(US) evokes with ease. Roman(US) is a duo not unlike The Postal Service, in the sense that it was the result of a long distance musical collaboration. Like their Venezuelan colleagues Masseratti 2Lts, ROman(US), is a family project: on one side, there is Jose Duque (also well known for his work with ZumbaTres), who lives in New Hampshire; on the other side, there is Felix Duque, Jose's cousin, who lives in Barcelona Spain. "The Secret Lives of Trees" came as a surprise. It is a complete departure from Jose's previous (jazz) work, falling more under the category of ambient or electronic. The uniquely high-pitched voice of Felix gives the album a very ethnic feel which, coupled with the layers of synthesizers and programmed (yet highly organic-sounding) rhythms, bring Deep Forest, Enigma and Robert Miles to mind. However, the end result comes close to serving as the score to a very surreal dream than an actual world music album. Think Massive Attack meets Jeff Buckley and maybe you will come close. In the end, this is an amazing album to play with low lights, at night or when you are in need to have music not get in the way, but rather go along... to let you dream it, almost without thinking.

  • culmination of a musical partnership that bridges two continents and unites two
    author: Matt Kanner

    The 13 mood-driven songs on “Trees” float listeners along surreal streams and brooks of the subconscious. From the opening drizzles of keyboard notes, the album evokes an illustrative haze of introspection. Each instrumental part contributes to an enveloping resonance, and lush vocals drift through the turgid stratosphere of sound.

  • ying and yang
    author: Marie Claire

    Hola J&F! You have put a great spell on me. Every time I hear your music something very spiritual enters me and I am swept away into another dimension. This is far from "earthly" music. It is an experience of the universe...and I have been captured and recaptured time after time. There is magic in your musical journeys that I haven't found anywhere else. I also have never heard anything so balanced in opposite emotions! They seem to float side by side, sometimes intertwining and weaving their way through the very core of my being. There is no darkness without light. There is no joy without sorrow. They would not be recognized... And we would not see the difference. I am still amazed how you have combined the yin and yang of the universe and how powerful it is. You have succeeded in doing something no one else I know has done to this extent and depth! My upmost respect, Maria Claire, Safed, Israel

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