What makes a musician special? Tomi Purich on finding his sound with BONE Drums

What makes a musician special among the millions of phenomenal colleagues in this boundless world called music? It’s their music, their playing, and their unique stamp on it all. The sound, the style, the phrasing, and the dynamics. Something that’s uniquely yours and no one can take away. 

That’s why I’m a musician, that’s why I play drums. It’s where I find, explore, and create music. I truly enjoy it – behind the drums, on stage, in the studio, and wherever I can.

Returning to ethno-jazz – A significant milestone in my career was returning to my original ethno-jazz project after a seven-year break from it. I created the term BALKANJAZZ, which best describes my musical genre, an idea I had been working on for more than ten years.

After a challenging restart, I’m proud to have released my third original album, “PiranOhrid,” in March 2024 with an international band and a tour. I’m proud that I’ve found a unique and regionally inspired path in jazz. But this is not my only creative genre, as  I work in pop music a lot and everything related to it.

Meeting BONE – A few years ago, the BONE team visited during the launch of their Carbcutter (today TRUE Carbon Hybrid) snare. Playing it was a turning point. I sold my other drum sets because BONE guaranteed they would make two custom Carbcutter sets according to my preferences. This state-of-the-art product, made in Slovenia, is invaluable, and I had to be involved.

Tomi’s BONE Collection: 

• BalkanJazz set (pearl white w/ nickel black hardware):
  • Kick 16×12″ maple-carbon hybrid
  • Snare 13×5,5″ raw steel shell
  • Tom 10×6″ maple-carbon hybrid
  • Floor tom 13×10″ maple-carbon hybrid
• FusionPop set (pearl white w/ nickel black hardware):
  • Kick 20×14″ maple-carbon hybrid
  • Snare 13×5,5″ maple-carbon hybrid
  • Tom 10×6″ maple-carbon hybrid
  • Floor tom 14×12″ maple-carbon hybrid

The BONE drum sets represent what I’ve been looking for in drums for the first 20 years of my career – a personalized sound, identity and absolute dynamics. I don’t like playing loud, but I love contrasts. A good instrument allows you to express yourself in exactly that way, encourages and motivates you in doing so. That’s why I play BONE.

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