Is Djam Karet really a "prog" band?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=95018
Printed Date: July 29 2025 at 01:50
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Topic: Is Djam Karet really a "prog" band?
Posted By: Djam Karet
Subject: Is Djam Karet really a "prog" band?
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 11:08
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Howdy, Ever wonder if Djam Karet is really a prog band? Me too!! Maybe we are not a prog band because we do not have any songs about dwarfs, fairies or castles! And we don't sound like Genesis. And some of our albums are entirely Electronic. But maybe we really are a prog band ... because we try to make an expanded, enlarged, bigger version of Rock music, with multiple changes in rhythm, tempo, key, instrumentation, style, etc. You decide! Gayle
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Replies:
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 11:36
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That's a silly question, you are an instrumental prog band. I first found y'all when AOL had an internet streaming progressive rock radio station. Never any doubts in my mind. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 11:36
| Only if Steven Wilson offers to remaster your early work. |
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 11:38
That describes prog a bit better than dwarfs, fairies, castles and sounding like Genesis.  Welcome to the site. Cool of you to join us! ------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
Djam Karet wrote:Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 11:49
I've heard there is controversy behind it. Personally I don't think you guys PROGRESS enough for it to be called prog, and nor do you pay that much homage to the earlier prog bands. I mean I like that one tune you did with the Shostakovich type cluster chords in the D section, but if you ask me the rest of the harmony was a little too trite for that section to work. Also your rhythm is slightly stereotypical... I mean you phrase all your 5/4 stuff like 3 3 4 (quavers), and it gets very samey. Try reversing that pattern? But as I've always said, odd time =/= prog. I think with a bit more creativity you could be called PROG band, but for now I'd consider you guys alternative rock, although some other folk would dispute this... Hope this helps ------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: Earthmover
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 11:51
Case closed. -------------  |
Posted By: warrplayer
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 12:33
They don't progress enough nor pay enough homage? Based on what ( non musical ) scale? i hear Floyd and KC nods almost every time I bust out some DK. Progress isn't only measured by changing up compositional aspects. Reflections from the Firepool wouldn't sound any more brilliant if it had thrown in more compostional variation. Like Pink Floyd it is based on adherence to blues and rock based figures. And, many consider it a classic. Anyway, you certainly dance about architecture well, but the whole thread is doomed by the opening question...Is this Prog? I always considered DK instrumental rock.
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Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 12:35
I was bluffing, I thought this was spam  Flame me if you wish... ------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: Evolver
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 12:59
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Hi Gayle. I've been listening to your music since the mid-1980s, thanks to the old "On Reflection" newsletter. If not prog, how would you describe your music? Notice from the bands listed here, we use the term somewhat loosely. ------------- Trust me. I know what I'm doing. |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 13:03
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Gayle, Just listened to your music... It's awesome, sorry for trolling earlier My mistake!------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: warrplayer
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 13:21
 Dude, legendary bluff! They do tend to play all their 5/4 stuff in 3 3 4 (quavers)! But, they are still some of the baddest rockin' mofos on the planet.  |
Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 13:27
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Yeah I really didn't have a clue what I was talking about... After listening to a few tunes I'd say they are definitely prog though ------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 13:45
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Since joining this site, I've learned that the term "prog" indeed covers a relatively narrow scope of music - i.e. it doesn't necessarily apply to every band who is adventurous, complex, etc, otherwise you'd have to include groups like Wire, Sonic Youth, et al. I don't wish to critique nor defend this convention, but there it is. Even with the restrictive scope, however, I think Djam Karet is an easy fit for the "prog rock" tag. Not as a value judgment, but as a stylistic description. Prog rock is far more than elves and castles and stuff. Ironically, Djam Karet's least prog-like album I've heard (Suspension and Displacement, which I consider more an ambient album, not that ambient can't be prog, but you get my gist), is one of my all time favorite albums. So they've covered a lot of things and covered them well. But at their core, I'd call em prog. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 13:58
Great post Steve. It perfectly illustrates my thoughts on this issue. Just for the record, Suspension & Displacement is my fave too  There are a lot of prog bands on this site, but it's not all who are progressive. The Trip is what I'd call a genuine progressive album though. Anyway this is just splitting hairs. I know what I like, and I genuinely adore the mish mash of the Berliner school electronics paired together with the more psychedelic rocking sections Who cares whether or not Djam Karet is prog anyway? It's not a badge of honour. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 15:05
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Thanks for the kind words, David. I just bought The Trip, btw, and after one listen am not yet sure how I feel about it. I was not in a good state of mind while it was playing. Work stress and rush hour traffic dontcha know. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: warrplayer
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 16:16
Yeah. this album is totally old school. you have to set aside the whole 45 minutes ahead of time. I've heard some complain it takes too long to get anywhere. Nope. It takes 45 minutes to get where it's going. Very ballsy move imo.
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 16:52
Absurd. The Trip's 45 minutes go by so quickly, they could've tacked on another 10-minute'r! ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 16:58
Hey, Gayle! "Is Djam Karet reall a 'prog 'band?" a) Despite being a SoCal resident, I first heard of DK in Wayside's catalog — Check! b) All-instrumental, rock at the core, but with many other styles blended in — Check! c) A clear affinity for Berlin School (and other) electronic music/ambient genres — Check! d) "Themed" albums — Check! e) NCP = No Commercial Potential — Check! f) ALL OF THE ABOVE! ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Djam Karet
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 17:25
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Howdy, Thanks for the kind words and fun slam on our music by "The Pessimist"!! Our recent album The Trip is rather unusual for us, because it is not "in your face" music, like some of what we do, but rather its much more "laid-back" and casual. And its so damn slow that it could be boring to some. And if you are not in a good mood, you really might not like it. But with headphones on, its kinda cool (in my totally biased opinion). Actually, it was recorded between takes of The Heavy Soul Sessions CD. To relax and chill out we would improvise spacey moody textures for fun and distraction. then we'd go back and work on the Heavy Soul CD. But they sure came out really different (not just because we used a room mic on the drums on The Trip, and close mics of Heavy Soul). Anyway, I ramble on ... Gayle
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Posted By: The Pessimist
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 17:37
It was a bluff, honest I'd never heard your music before this thread...------------- "Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value." Arnold Schoenberg |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 18:41
If you guys think it's good enough to put out, it's because it usually is and I've yet to be disappointed by anything Djam Karet has released (nor do I think I ever will be). You're like Goblin in that respect: you do what you do, and your fans always appreciate more of it when we can get it. I remember when you said after a show the "next" album would one-up Burning The Hard City in terms of intensity, and you proved it with A Night For Baku! ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 19:24
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Hi Gayle I'm a huge fan, very good instrumental complex music. Your stuff sits smack in the middle of my prog collection. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 21:29
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Having just returned from my first visit to/from The Trip (survived the flashbacks-whew), keep up the good work! ------------- 
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Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 21:30
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Man these guys are the real deal. Love the mellotron too that they've offered up over the years. The Trip sounds like it would be right up my alley, my favourite from them is Still No Commercial Potential which if I remember correctly was all improvized. Interesting that Steve and Dave rate Suspension and Displacement as their favourites because that's one from them that I have that I couldn't appreciate. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: silverpot
Date Posted: August 30 2013 at 12:38
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I've just discovered this band, they're exactly the kind of music I like. This far. I have yet to listen to a few albums that are not on Spotify. My big problem now is to find somewhere to buy the cds that is not Amazon. Any Swede around here who knows? Anyway, thank you for the music Gayle.  |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 30 2013 at 12:58
A brilliant sequel to NCP, indeed. I saw the band play live the night they "suddenly" unveiled that as their new CD. That was a really cool surprise in addition to an already kick-ass set of music. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: infandous
Date Posted: August 30 2013 at 13:14
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I was introduced to Djam Karet back in 1998 or so, by a friend of mine who saw there name in a catalog at a local record store (seems like ancient times now!) and ordered everything available........just because he thought their band name was really cool. At any rate, I liked it right away, though it took me a while to really get into it. Since seeing you guys perform at Nearfest 2001, I've been a big fan. I regret that I'm a couple albums behind at the moment, and I've never managed to buy the albums my friend had (I never copied them though, just borrowed them). In any case, you guys are prog without question, I say. You progress, AND you have influences of prog bands of the past (mainly Floyd and Crimson, to my ears, as someone else mentioned earlier). The first album I actually owned was The Devouring, and that it probably your most "prog" album (that, or Burning the Hard City). I also love the ambient stuff, which I've always considered prog (the "Berlin school" sound, as others have mentioned). Anyway, keep up the good work! I'll do my best to catch up on the catalog in coming year. |
Posted By: Djam Karet
Date Posted: August 31 2013 at 11:33
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Many Thanks for the kind words!! Gayle
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: August 31 2013 at 16:05
Cheater ... gonna tell you on!
The answer is, from me ... I DON'T CARE ... IT'S GREAT/FANTASTIC MUSIC!
And much more important music for my own work and life, than any pop song!
You know, if I was to compare rock music, to other arts in the same time period ... 1990's and 2000's ... you're going to find me stating that you are far more progressive and experimental than almost all the other bands, most of which can not get out of form, format, or just one thing ... while in between you went out and did very different things, that are nowhere near each other and still stand up sounding magnificently ... be it Dark Clouds, No Rain or The Trip.
I don't think that I can even say that about any other "progressive" band, be it listed here or not! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: August 31 2013 at 16:39
Hahaha ... let me see if I take a nice hit of sunshine, if it slows down the world, or speeds it up! Or if I join a big old ugly bus, if the trip gets any better! I'll have to check my notes with Aldous Huxley and Carlos Castadenada, of course!
Oh wait ... I'll drive down to Santa Barbara to visit mom, or drive further down to see Bapu ... and see if I can go any faster ... or slower!
Ohhh ... dang ... I missed that beautiful view of Mount Shasta ... was going too fast! Did we just go over a big lake after that mountain?
Nah, you fell asleep!
For me, as the review I wrote on this, it is as perfect as it can be ... I'm not sure that there is such a thing as too slow, or too fast, when it comes to life and living ... and music is a part of that for me, no more and no less than what I write in my own work. some of which is slow and more descriptive and some of which ... the character once asked me in a dream ... don't I have a chance to say oohh's and ahhhs and this and that during the love scenes?
For my tastes, there is no such thing ... the trip "happens" or it doesn't happen and that's that! And all yo uhave to do is ... put it down as it came to you!
Go right ahead ... bring the guitar if you want to ... or you can just plug up the computers!
I say, just bring the t-spoons ... more fun this way! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 31 2013 at 19:25
If the wonderful music of Djam Karet is not 'Progressive Rock', then why bother with this site called 'Prog Archives'....?? 
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 31 2013 at 19:52
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Just in case, if you love DK and you know you do), check out Gayle's band Hillmen and the Henderson/Oken CD...both are ALL instrumental, of course! ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |