Bicycle Corporation has announced that the Indonesian group, We Are Neurotic, will be the special guests on the upcoming episode 97 of their Foundations radio show. Scientific Sound Asia, known for its electronic music station, promotion, and DJ agency services, acts as a dynamic centre for both local and international audiences across Asia.
Bicycle Corporation represents a thrilling partnership between Italian DJ and producer Marco Mei and the gifted Stefano Ugliano, known as 6884. Marco Mei began his musical journey in the early 1990s, delving into DJing and music production.
Following his debut in the music scene, Marco Mei delved into organizing House and Techno music events across Italy under the 'Urban People' banner. These events quickly rose to popularity and success, establishing Marco as a leading figure in the Italian music scene.
After spending a decade making a name for himself in the Italian music scene, Marco chose to expand his horizons by taking his talents overseas. He courageously relocated to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, securing a residency with the globally acclaimed party brand, Pacha. This move signified a fresh phase in Marco's career, offering him a platform to present his talents to a varied international audience and to continue innovating within the electronic music scene.
Marco Mei's exceptional talent in creating unique sets and producing remarkable music swiftly captured the attention of industry experts, catapulting him to global acclaim as a DJ of extraordinary skill. His mastery of the turntables has earned him the honour of performing alongside renowned artists like David Morales, Justin Berkman, Roger Sanchez, Sander Kleinenberg, Harry Romero, Ralph Falcon, and many other icons of the electronic music world.
Stefano, a gifted musician hailing from Turin, Italy, exhibited extraordinary potential at the onset of his musical career. His fervour for music soon evolved into a dominant passion, filling his leisure time and fueling his artistic endeavours.
Venturing through diverse musical pathways, Stefano immersed himself in the world of classical piano, percussion, and drums, absorbing the varied sounds and rhythms each instrument offered. Concurrently with his musical pursuits, he cultivated a deep admiration for Chopin's works, appreciating the emotional intensity and technical virtuosity of the classical canon.
Moreover, Stefano found inspiration in the rich traditions of West African music, particularly enthralled by the intricate rhythms and cultural richness of the Djembe drum. This varied musical influence shaped Stefano's artistic identity and laid the foundation for his future endeavours as a musician and performer.
Stefano harboured an intense passion for various music genres, yet it was the world of DJing that truly kindled a deep fascination in him. In his teens, he was captivated by the allure of the DJ scene, entranced by the hypnotic beats and the infectious rhythms that flowed from the turntables.
The DJs stood out for their ability to curate and showcase music seldom played on Italian radio stations at the time. This ethos of musical discovery and unveiling struck a chord with Stefano, igniting his curiosity and inspiring him to explore the depths of DJ culture further.
Indeed, transforming the captivating sounds that inspired him into performances for vast audiences may have seemed like an unattainable dream to many. However, through persistent effort and steadfast dedication, Stefano and Marco founded Bicycle Corporation.
Despite achieving success, Marco and Stefano remain grounded in their humble beginnings. They have established a Bandcamp page to chronicle their musical evolution, offering insights into their creative process and sharing their initial works with the world.
Moreover, their radio shows, dedicated to House Music, Techno, and its various sub-genres, serve as stages for showcasing artists who are integral to the electronic music scene in Asia. Through these broadcasts, Marco and Stefano not only celebrate the variety and richness of electronic music but also cultivate relationships within the vibrant Asian music community.
Guests We Are Neurotic.
This week's spotlight is on We Are Neurotic, the vibrant disco, house, and funk ensemble from Jakarta, Indonesia. Famous for their high-energy shows, We Are Neurotic has enthralled global audiences with their distinctive fusion of musical styles.
In 2012, Jonathan Mono, a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Jakarta, initiated a solo project called Neurotic after leaving his former band. Initially, Neurotic was a solo project with a varying lineup for live shows, but in 2015, bassist Yosaviano Santoso joined, and in 2017, drummer Karel William became a part of the band.
After releasing two pop albums as Neurotic, Mono, Santoso, and William took a break in late 2018 for personal reasons. Reuniting in 2020, they reemerged as We Are Neurotic, a name reflecting a new, more balanced group dynamic. Their music evolved to embrace funk, disco, and house, enriched with jazz elements to enhance the complexity and style.
In the initial phase of the pandemic, with ample time available, We Are Neurotic took a crucial step to engage actively on Discord and Twitch. This strategy not only provided a platform to display their skills but also resulted in their involvement—and frequently triumph—in virtual music competitions organized by renowned artists like Disclosure, Chromeo, MJ Cole, and Kenny Beats. Throughout this process, they established new connections and gained insightful guidance, which enhanced their musical voyage.
Adopting Discord has been a game-changer for We Are Neurotic, enabling them to collaborate with musicians worldwide. A significant partnership was with Russian producer Igor Gonya, which led to the production of "Just Words" in 2022, their most streamed track so far. They also released the EPs "Jakarta Funk" and "Bite Off Ya Beat" in 2022 and 2023 through Gonya's Lisztomania Records, enhancing their global footprint.
We Are Neurotic has notably collaborated with Korean-born, San Francisco-based artist 3kelves. They have produced a series of singles, such as "Lake Temescal Blues," "Relieved Memories," and "Think of You Only." In addition, they partnered with Dutch-American producer Dylan C. Greene to establish the collective C3DO. We Are Neurotic's music is also featured on various prestigious labels globally, including Italy's Stereophonic and France's Kitsuné Musique.
Taking cues from advice obtained during a Q&A on Disclosure's Discord channel, We Are Neurotic chose to implement a strategy akin to that of Conor Albert. They embarked on a routine of writing and recording music, then disseminating it through minute-long Instagram Reels. Their method was designed to attract new listeners and interact with potential collaborators, utilizing social media's influence to broaden their audience and establish a stronger foothold in the musical scene.
Edan Frei of the Los Angeles duo B00TY, for whom Mono co-produced tracks, saw four of those reels featured in Sephora's "The Beauty of Blackness" documentary, which aired in the U.S. on HBO Max. Additionally, 3kelves played a role in incorporating more music from We Are Neurotic into Samsung's promotional campaign for the Galaxy S23 smartphone, reaching audiences in South Korea and globally.
To help new fans delve deeper into We Are Neurotic's discography after discovering them through The Beauty of Blackness and the Samsung Galaxy S23 advertisements, the band decided to develop those teasers into a complete album. This move was influenced by the advice of their C3DO collaborators, 3kelves and Greene. Launched in March 2023, the album "You Are Not Even Close" provides an extensive showcase of We Are Neurotic's music, enriched with an Indonesian essence that sets them apart from international acts.
In February 2024, Dylan C. Greene, 3kelves, and We Are Neurotic collaboratively established C3DO Recordings, a dynamic label focused on house, disco, and electronic music. The label aims to nurture its artist community and ensure a steady stream of unique, high-quality releases. Fittingly, the label's first release, "Hyperservice," a spirited gospel-disco track by the Indonesian trio We Are Neurotic, establishes the standard and philosophy that listeners can expect from the label in the future months.
The band from Jakarta offers an enthralling instrumental show marked by a remarkably fast tempo. Meanwhile, the San Francisco producer, 3kelves, adds his signature tongue-in-cheek style with lively vocal snippets and his renowned dub siren. The track consistently exudes high energy, comparable to a quadruple espresso shot, and intensifies in the latter half with an exhilarating piano solo from the young Indonesian keyboard virtuoso, Matalino Siraj.
Don't forget to catch an exciting night of Funk, Disco, and House Music. The performance took place on Friday, May 24th, 2024, so please utilize the Mixcloud player below to enjoy the playback.
'Foundations' episode 97 with We Are Neurotic.
3kelves & We Are Neurotic - Up On This!
The Groove - Funkier Than Ever (We Are Neurotic Edit)
Dylan C. Greene - Fool Me (Extended Mix) - C3DO
3kelves - 1015jammer
Jitwam, TEYMORI & Atjazz - Help Yo Self (Atjazz Remix) [Studio 54 Music]
Rotary Connection - Black Gold Of The Sun
We Are Neurotic - Deus É Samba - C3DO
Kerri Chandler - Turn Off The Lights (Who's Afraid Of The Dark) (Original Mix)
Echosonic - Realm of Perception (Unreleased)
The Shapeshifters, Billy Porter - Finally Ready
We Are Neurotic - Hyperservice (feat. 3kelves) - C3DO
Simenga - Yea Boom
Soulstance - Black Star
Kyoto Jazz Massive feat. Roy Ayers - Get Up (Kaidi Tatham Remix)
Barry Can't Swim - Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore
MJ Cole - Sincere (Jazzanova Sincerely Yours Remix)
Reel People - Star feat. Tony Momrelle
Douvelle19 - Take It Back
Nile Rodgers - Do What You Wanna Do (The Reflex Clubbed Up Revision 2021)
Alexander Flood - All For The Pocket
Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca - Erodiscoteque
Disclosure, Fatoumata Diawara - Douha (Mali Mali)
Listen on Mixcloud here.
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