Umbra

A KEYBOARDIST BORN OF PROG/CLASSIC ROCK INFLUENCES, RAISED ON SYNTH-POP, UMBRA EXHIBITS A DARK, TEXTURAL STYLE MOST OFTEN COMPARED TO PORCUPINE TREE, DEPECHE MODE AND PINK FLOYD.
Umbra - In Black and White
Strong melodic passages combined with an unusual sense of texture, and complete disregard for a formula in musical arrangement, gives Umbra a unique sound, contributing to Umbramusic being considered well off the mainstreams of the pop - commercial pathway. On the other hand, when presented with a project based on the ideas of a fellow artist, Umbra can transform his musical drive down the center-line, providing complementary passages to middle of the road compositions.
Many of the projects Umbra has been a part of, have been guitar bands with keyboards augmenting their "sound". Often, Umbra is asked to add texture and nuance to music driven by guitar, bass and drums. “I feel comfortable in my role of filling out the music with texture”. Umbra explains, “Sometimes the part calls for just some chord accompaniment, other times I can eek out a riff or two, and once in a while there is space for a solo. Either way, I love to play”.
When asked about his own music, Umbra says, “I tend to explore more on my own. I’ll come up with an idea, and build it up with keyboards, bass and guitar. I can’t sing, but I don’t always have the luxury of a vocalist available, so I do it myself. I still try to adhere to my core belief as a songwriter, and not write something I can’t pull off live”.
On working with others, "I listen to what the songwriters ideas are, listen to their vision of keyboards within the song, if they have preconceived ideas, and do what I can to create keyboard parts to best embellish the the song and the vision of the songwriter".
When once asked by a producer, “How would you describe your style?” Umbra replied, “ I’m like icing on a cake. Without it, it is just cake”.
Songs heard on this page:
"Fire Dance" (Umbra)
Words by G. Bullock, music by G.Bullock/J.Dembiak
Umbra - Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Vocals & Drum Programming
"Beyond Me" (Umbra)
Words/music by G. Bullock
Umbra - Keyboards, Bass, Vocals & Drum Programming
"BluGreen Beauty" (Umbra)
Words/music by G. Bullock
Umbra - Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Vocals & Drum Programming
"Dancing On The Floor Of The Sea Of Tranquility" (Umbra)
Words/music by G. Bullock
Umbra - Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Vocals & Drum Programming
"30 Pieces" (Umbra)
Words/music by G. Bullock
Umbra - Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Vocals & Drum Programming
"Hours Never End" (Dembiak)
Words by Rob Copen, music by Dembiak
Rob Copen - Vocals
Jeff Dembiak - Bass
Umbra - Keyboards
Joe Matos - Guitar
Joe Pirgies - Drums
"Caught My Eye" (Dembiak)
Words by JJ Pixx, music by Dembiak/Gatto
JJ Pixx - Vocals
Jeff Dembiak - Bass
Ken Gatto - Guitar
Mike (Chewy) Czubik - Drums
Umbra - Keyboards
"Wonder" (King Crow)
Words by JJ Pixx, music by Dembiak, Eric Z, Riz
JJ Pixx - Vocals
Eric Z - Guitars
Dembiak - Bass
Riz - Drums
Umbra - Keyboards
"Reign On Me" (RealEyes), Words/Music by Beebe/Rumfield
Martin Rumfield - Vocals and Bass
Eric Beebe - Guitar and Backing Vocals
Mark Ficken - Drums and Backing Vocals
Umbra - Keyboards
All music copyrights are held by the songwriters.
All photos shot by GAB ... and are property of GAB/GABWorx, llc.
Likewise, copyrights for poetry in my blog held by GAB/GABWorx, llc.
"Keep your hands in the ride, and take plenty of pictures."
- Greg Bullock
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