RomerDome Familia Interview: Tyler Renney and Silent Jamz
Each morning, at 1 a.m., the Om Dome lights up with flashing headsets and the party continues until the sunrises. The headphones make for a more intimate listening experience as all outside drum circles, conversations and distractions are inaudible. It’s just you and the music. Each night the experience reached max capacity and people idled and waited for a headset to open up. Many were eager to share though, amused by the duel realities.
Silent Jamz is hosted by the RomerDome Familia, at Shangri-La Music Festival, held August 30-September 1. The headphone based, live music experience is a creative compromise to keep the music going into the early morning hours.
Previously, the Silent Jamz featured headphones corded to a mini radio. The 50 brand new, light up, wireless headphones were greeted with eager ears, giving the Silent Jamz the audio it deserves. The expansion of the Silent Jamz wasn’t the only new surprise at the Om Dome. For the first time ever, the Om Dome featured an elevated stage for the performers.
“We’ve got the lights, good looking stage, risers … I loved the years we were on the floors with people because it brings a sense of realness,” said Tyler Renney. “But, when you see the stage up here, it brings a level of professionalism.”
Renney is the director of Silent Jamz for the RomerDome Familia. He can also be found playing guitar and doing vocals with Rootz Within, playing bass for Dani Reese or performing under his solo stage name, Renneygade.
During a recent lul with Rootz Within, Renney up the keyboard again to keep the creative juices flowing.
“I felt I needed to get in grips with my multi-instrumental stuff,” said Renney. “I don’t want to be tied to any genres or instruments.”
His desire for diversity in his musical ventures also translates to a diverse Silent Jamz line up.
At a festival that primarily plays jam, reggae and bluegrass, space was made for both electronic and freestyle. Artists for the Silent Jamz included Modwell, a DJ set by Pato, DJ Wigglez, The Northern Medicine and Lifted Mindz.
“What we’re trying to do is build our family and bring in new family. As much as we love everybody, we want to keep it fresh and bring in new people,” said Renney. “This stage is a gateway to another place, we’re trying to find people that need it.”
On Friday night, kicking off the Silent Jamz for Shangri-La 2019 was a creative collaboration led by Tyler Renney under his solo act name, Renneygade with freestylin’ Om Dome hosts: Optymistic and Mammoth. Other musicians joining them on stage were Cosmic Theo, Matthew “Moonshie” Palmquest on the electric saxophone, Anita Cargiuolo on the drum pad, Jeremy Beaman on the electric violin, Smokin’ Joe on bass and Mikey D on guitar.
“It’s nice to have more people to hold space; it makes for a different show. It’s fun,” shared Renney.
Creating freestyle beats for the set served as an outlet that would not only encourage him to grow as a multi-instrumental musician but also serves as useful to other musicians. Which fit right into the theme for the Om Dome this year: Diversity.
Renney plans to tweak and improve his hip hop beats used during his Silent Jamz set and release them on Soundcloud.
“That’s the kind of stuff I want to throw out there. Somebody can use it and If they don’t, I don’t care. It’ll keep me creating! Plus, who doesn’t like free music?” Said, Renney.
The Silent Jamz experience doesn’t have to end in the Om Dome at Shangri-La. Renney personally enjoys using the set up to practice in his apartment in the wee morning hours but, the Romerdome Familia can bring the experience to shows with noise ordinance or to house parties.
To get in contact with the RomerDome Familia for your own Silent Jamz, reach out via the RomerDome Familia website.
In the meantime, enjoy more photos of the RomerDome Familia’s Om Dome at Shangri-la on our Facebook page.
Photos by: Shane Adams and Alycia Grace
Photo edits by: Brittany Innes
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