David, in early 2003, embarks on a journey to create music that is unafraid to be theatrical or dramatic. The resultant sound is eclectic in its influences and compelling in its vision; the listener is transported to the centre of their imagination, the music forming pictures in the mind’s eye as all enveloping as cinema. A few months later David met Rob, a visual artist and VJ who has the ability to give the songs the visual dimension that the music is calling for. Rob has a gift for translating music into images, with his perfectly adapted and synced motion graphic sequences. David and Rob were soon joined by Mariana a painter and vocalist from Uruguay. She is heard on many of the tracks and her paintings and ideas have been used in some of the visuals. Mariana was followed by Nat a pianist and orchestral arranger, who is now working alongside David. Together they are OKUNIEV. Later this year they will complete work on their debut Visual LP. Every track will have its own visuals, an all-engrossing audio-visual experience.
LIVE; OKUNIEV will create an environment where the audience is immersed into the spectacle. On stage the music will be performed before a 180-degree cinema backdrop. The visuals will be simulated live on stage by VJ’s who will be performing alongside the musicians, creating visuals triggered from sounds as well as controlling lighting and FX, bringing the whole stage to life.
OKUNIEV will also tour their LP with a series of screenings. Here an adapted version of the album will be screened in surround mode. The visuals will be projected on to screens on all sides encompassing the audience in a 360 degree virtual world. “SEE THE LIGHT” are the outfit who have the infrastructure to make this happen, they are friends of OKUNIEV and will be working in collaboration with them on this part of the project. The aim is to screen the work in unusual spaces, at music events, and at festivals etc…
Check out their website www.okuniev.com to get a sneak preview of what they are up to ……