All begins with a history created by people or events, which sometimes play an important role in life of destinies. Denis Arsenin's (bass) casual acquaintance with Edgar Kempish (drums) has lead to the creation of musicians' association and "Olive Mess" group. Almost at once a third person - Alexey Syomin (guitar) appears. Group's formation and development begins with this moment. The official date of the "Olive Mess" creation is November 2, 1998 - the day of their first joint rehearsal.
First time the group was in searches. First of all it was necessary to find the musical direction, style of sounding for the future work. And the direction was found - art rock. The name of the group is not casual: firstly, the band was named in honour of the French composer Olivie Messian (XX century); and, secondly, - the name of the group reflects the essence of the "Olive Mess" music - its music has very specific features as well as the taste of olives is also very specific.
A bit later the vocalist has come into the group. His musical potential was reach, but relations with other members of the group were poor. Next year the vocalist has left the group, although the first concert of "Olive Mess" has been performed with his participation ("April theses" festival in April, 1999). And from that time more than year the "Olive Mess" existed as the trio. Mainly, the concerts of " Olive Mess" were performed in the music club "Saxophone". The "Olive Mess" repertoire included not only its own compositions, but also the compositions of such known groups as King Crimson - "Red", "Lark's Toungs in Aspic II" and "Pictures of a City", until the group's own repertoire has become sufficiently reach.
On March 2001 the group has made rehearsal record "Live without audience" which was used as demo record. 3 compositions were recorded - "Gramercy", "The Holly and Ivy Girl" (vocal parts were added later), and "1572 (part II)" - the very first composition written by the group: the event, which occurred in France, on August 23, 1572 and became popular in the world's history under the name "St. Bartholomew's day Massacre", served as the basis of this composition.
On May 2001, the vocalist of well-known vocal ensemble "Canto" - Ilze Paegle has come into the group. But in November of the same year the former participant of the "Biosfera" group - Lilija Voronova (keyboards) has joined "Olive Mess".
November 2001 for the band has become another turning-point - musicians prepared for recording of the first album which should be released under the French label "Soleil Zeuhl". 5 compositions will be included in the "Gramercy" album. Gramercy - expression in the old-french language. It was taken from the XV century's novel "Arthur's Death", written by English writer Thomas Melory. In the vocal version of the given composition is used the text from the book-treatise - "Musick's Monument" (London, 1672) of the English lutenist of XVII century - Thomas Mace. This composition is devoted to Michael Nikitin, Nezhat Ablemitov, Oleg Gorbarenko and other persons who have influenced the "Olive Mess" group. " The Holly and Ivy Girl " is the group's version of the traditional Irish Christmas song. Other two compositions are instrumental "Degeneratus Vulgaris" and the play "Stephan, the Shepherd Boy", in which is used Jonathan Tully's poem, written specially for "Olive Mess" (XIII century's events in France, known as "the Children's Crusade").
During last few years Olive Mess hasn't played a lot of concert, but participate in some good festivals such as Kuri Proge, InProg and Proguary.
Also some band members have been changed: In 2005 the new keyboard player, young and talanted Liza have comed to the band. and in 2005 Olive Mess have replaced Ilze, who have leaved the band in 2005, by Dmitrij Rumjancevs, ex "Hologramm". Artist, director, vocalist, first Latvian pro-rock Festival PROGUARY author and organazer- he played with Olive Mess in Proguary 2005 and in InProg fests. In 2005 he also leaves group. In 2006 Edgar and Dmitrij have organazed second prog-rock fest in Latvia Proguary 2006. Olive Mess played there whith a new vocalist Maris Jekabsons, who also addid some colorite whith his bagpipes.
In summer 2007 band have recorded a new album "Cherdak" and in 2008 january singned contract with great Italian Label - Mellow Records
In 2008 Olive Mess have left Elizabeth and in march band have found the new keyboard man - talanted Platon Buravicky. Here some of his perfomance.
our ALBUM's TRACKS You can find at ourWEB SITE and at FREE!MUSIC site.
PS we upload short version, because the songs are too long and and files are bigger than 10 mb :( But You can listen them in the original version for free in FREE!MUSIC (there You can find a lot of good bands :) )
Nice Classic Prog. Thank you for your friendship. Please check out the great bands playing at this year’s festival, and keep up with our festival info; by subscribing to our blog. Peace, Love and Revolution Nick
Hello,hello! Bought "Gramercy" by mailorder a week ago and it..s a beautiful mix of sounds. Really unique! Come to Sweden. It..s just a tiny sea separating us! Fredrik
hello friends.., Greetings from my Prog-Art-Sky! ...thank you for possibility to get acquainted, and have a possibility to enjoy your beautiful music and talent... Thank you also for your interest to my artworks... You also always welcome to my pages! Have a great Cosmic Energy! All the best,
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