Dubravko Lapaine, a unique didgeridoo player from Zagreb, Croatia, is known for his characteristic style of performance. Rather than focusing on tradition, he explores undiscovered techniques and researches new possibilities for using these instruments in order to create music. In a synergy of his body with the instrument, Lapaine simultaneously plays multiple melodies and rhythms, thus leaving listeners under the impression of a musical depth that seems to magically escape from this “plain” tube.
Although he started with the didgeridoo, his exploration of sound stretched and distorted this wooden log into various shapes and dimensions, until reaching a length of 10 m and frequency of 20 Hz. Using odd Balkan rhythms as a background, he developed his own notion of rhythm that often grows into any measure and changes many shapes in-between. But despite this rhythmical complexity, his compositions are often melodious. Richness of sound released from his instruments results from a combination of voice and virtuous technique on the one hand, and on the other hand, his ability to combine and intertwine various elements into compositions.
Lapaine’s musical charm lies not only in the dynamic complexity of his compositions, rather it also arises from his poetic form of expression and from the sounds of stories sometimes told as verses sung through his hollow tubes. His compositions are combined of delicate sound nuances that he identifies with coloured air sculptures through his synesthetic interpretation of music.
When on stage, Lapaine’s devotion to music comes to full xpression. His gestures, stories, and poems literally grab the audience and carry them on a journey into and through his internal fantasy worlds. Approximately ten very different tube-like instruments are used during his performances, each having its own musical story and range of frequencies. With his concerts he strives to create full experiences, often using additional visual effects and props.
Until now he has held many concerts throughout Croatia and Europe, and through them has developed a distinct style of musical expression that differs from both traditional aboriginal and modern didgeridoo techniques. Lapaine also holds workshops and seminars that focus on his playing technique and musical philosophy.
Druyd fits perfectly out of every musical genre you have ever heard of. Not so much by its rather uncommon instrumentation based around the didgeridoo, guitar and voice, but much more because of Druyd's way of creating and performing music.
It makes music from nothingness, in a detailistic and groovy manner, applying no rules from beginning to end, and dedicating innumerable days in the process. The result is a sound picture which is reminiscent to a fantasy elf forest - from small moss-sounds which moist the heavy grounds to the highest tree sounds which rip open the skies.
Druyd's music is very melodic, on every level, but it is utterly unpredictable. It flows fluently through uncountable time measures, timbre and color changes, creates yet unheard sound-scales, but leaves open space to enjoy music with no thought.
Already the first published song of Druyd by Dubravko Lapaine and Igor Ratkovic "Misao iz daleka" has reached the finals of the World of Music Awards 2009.
You can find their program for summer 2010 at this link.
You can find their program for summer 2010 at this link.
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