:: organicArma, Exploring beyond Perception

Dualism is the word that could perfectly define organicArma’s vision of art. Blending the material world with the world of ideas, organicArma is developing their own concept of art and life made of contemporary interpretations of ancient spiritual beliefs and man crafted electronic sounds. Through music, lyrics, and visuals, each of their compositions are a provocative manifesto of organicArma’s concept, “Gods created to control, humans created beyond”, it’s just one of the statements included in Under Duality, their recently released album.
PhAxas 123 and dhArma 111, the musicians behind this electronic duo, explained to WFK the ideas behind their art.

WFK: organicArma is a conceptual band…  What’s the story behind the development of organicArma’s concept?
The concept of organicArma was originated from the need to create with a progressive purpose.  Reading and learning from philosophy, linguistics, psychology and technology all played a part in creating our need to explore, question, and challenge.  We are interested in connecting opposites such as the “organic” which is what is inexplicable or unexpected and “Arma” which is our ability to construct, build, and plan. Having been inspired by artists with provoking music, lyrics and visuals such as Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Underworld, Kraftwerk, and others, we are stimulated by forming new emotions through frequency.

You describe organicArma as a collective formed by phAxas123, dhArma111, and abrAxas223, what is the role of each one of you inside organicArma’s project and why did you choose to create these characters for playing your music?
dhArma111 is the originator of the band who is responsible for electronic drumming, vocoding and orchestrating chaos. dhArma’s name came from the Buddhist meaning of “dharma” which is the duty of making a purpose real. phAxas123 is the lead singer of the band and provides bass, synths, effects, and percussion.  phAxas’ character is based on regenerating and creating new cycles, as well as transmitting concepts with a sensual sensibility.  abrAxas223 does the visual computing for the band adding a three-dimensional landscape to the organicArma experience. We choose to approach situations through the perception of multiple realities.  Our characters represent all the possibilities within our personalities and also the familial relationship we formed amongst us.

If you agree with me, we can say that music is expression. What does organicArma try to express through their songs, compositions, and performances?
We like to express disassociations within the traditions and their taboos.  Our music and lyrics inquire into shaping new emotions that are not based on generalities, traditions, or absolutism but rather on the possibility of the imagination and the unknown.

Some of your songs have been remixed by artists from different places of the world, what do you feel when someone is playing a different version of the songs that you have created yourself?

We see information as open-source and therefore sharing as a way to cultivate a constant learning cycle. For us remixes are another form of collaboration.  In one way or another the remixer is motivated by our original compositions and sounds.  In return we are also moved by their interpretation and in some cases have collaborated with these artists to perform their version in our live show.

You have chosen The Awarehouse, an art complex located in Wynwood, as your headquarters … what is the reason why you find this place inspiring?
Located in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, Awarehouse is a space for creation.  With so many tools such as paintings, books, music and technology to develop ideas and an evolving door of art and artists, there is a wealth of information to be inspired by. Awarehouse has become a hub for collaborations which has provided an interesting shift in Miami’s culture and underground music and art scene.

organicArma is constantly working and performing along with friend bands like Transoverload, Telekinetic Walrus and many more musicians… can we say that there is an electronic-experimental music movement/community growing in Miami’s underground music scene?
Electronic music has had a voice in Miami through DJ’s for many years.  There seems to be a growing number of those who are interested in experiencing electronica through live performance.  Musicians such as: ourselves, Sounduo, Transoverload, Telekinetic Walrus, Dusthead, Lion King Electro, BFGF, Panic Bomber, Afrobeta, Beatmachines and Elastic Bond are bringing this to the local music scene.  Most of us also work together on producing music and art events to bring more unity and attention to what Miami’s artists are experimenting with.

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Wasabi Music Quiz::

Miami tastes like… A delicious concoction of hot, salty, sweet, bitter, lush, spicy, saucy, tingly, refreshing and robust flavors.
What inspires you: All expressions of art: music, films, theater, paintings, sculpture, illustrations, books and especially the combined multimedia expression of these.
What’s your heaven like?
We prefer to think of life as the opportunity to create new emotions.
The last record that you purchased or downloaded:
phAxas: Instra:Mental-Resolution 653
dharma: Werkschau – BPitch Compilation
organicArma’s top 5 music wise: Trentemoller, Prodigy, Ritchie Hawtin/Plastikman, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk
What song, from other artist, do you admire?
Heartthrob’s Baby Kate is a well-composed track. We love it so much we re-arranged it, added lyrics and will perform it live.
Freedom in your own words: Escape from Freedom.  That is just another absolute truth.

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More info about organicArma please visit:
www.facebook.com/pages/OrganicArma
Information about Awearehouse:
www.awarehousemiami.com
550 NW 29th, ST, Miami, FL 33127