10 Things You Didn't Know About Rolling in the Deep

So you've seen Simply Three's new music video Rolling in the Deep. Well, here are 10 things you didn't know about the video (click the images to see for yourself):

1. There's a white Honda Accord 1 second in.

2. We had to blur out some swear words.

3. Olivia took off her jacket because it got too toasty in the Arizona sun. Which look do you like better?

4. Nick was wearing headphones the entire time. They snuck into the video for 2 seconds in this shot only.

5. I was hidden next to Olivia in the outdoor room shot, clapping and singing as her metronome.

6. Two days before the shoot, I panicked because I didn't have a good shirt to wear. So I bought this shirt at Goodwill for $2. It's too small for me (look at the sleeve length), but I love the way the cuffs curl.

7. This computer shot was not planned. Somebody had left it there, and Jake was inspired to have it in the shot.

8. Nick's favorite shot from the video is when his string vibrates at the same frequency as the lens' frame rate. You get this cool wavy effect.

9. This is Olivia's favorite shot from the video; she loves the way I'm blurred in the foreground, while she busts out in the background.

10. And finally, my favorite shot (Nick and Olivia love it too) is the moving shot going into the second chorus (watch it here). Great great camera work by Jeremy and Jake!

Well, that's it! Hope you enjoyed these fun facts. Thanks for reading!

by Zack Clark

Watch Simply Three's live performance at ASA

Tons Happening for Simply Three!

Okay guys, we just wanted to let you know everything that's been going on! There's so much happening!

Kickstarter

So first things first: after releasing our first official music video (16,000 views in 3 weeks!) and single "Rolling in the Deep," we began to think of ways we can keep up this momentum. We want to keep recording songs and filming music videos, so we came up with launching a Kickstarter project to raise the money. This past weekend we filmed the interviews and b-roll footage for the Kickstarter, and we will be launching the 30-day campaign sometime this summer, probably in June. If we are successful, we will be able to record, mix, and master 3 more singles, film 3 more music videos, and go on tour to Utah and Idaho this fall! We'll announce the Kickstarter project everywhere, so look out for it!

Arizona School for the Arts

Second, we had a great time with the Arizona School for the Arts! We performed for two of their classes on Tuesday, May 7th, and it was so awesome! It was our first time performing with our pickups and amps and the loop station, so it was a game changer for us. Luckily everything worked properly (no electrical problems, feedback, or problems using our new loop station), and the students and teachers were so excited and supportive of us! Another really cool part of our ASA visit was that a rep from Eastman Strings came to see our show! He said that Eastman Strings might be interested in sponsoring us! Fingers crossed! Many thanks to Maria Simiz and Cindy Blandino for helping us set up our visit with ASA and for supporting us!

Dow Artists

We are also looking into signing on with Dow Artists. Our mentor Deanna Swoboda has helped us with this contact, and it could mean a lot of tour dates for us in the next couple years! We would still book concerts, residencies, and school visits through our own efforts, but coupled with the efforts and connections of Dow Artists, we should be very busy in the coming months/years! We will update you as soon as we know if we are signing on with them.

Christmas Album

Finally, this summer we will be arranging and recording a full-length Christmas album! We will be booking several Christmas concerts, too, so look forward to a fun Christmas concert for the whole family! Once we have the concert dates, we will post them to our website and announce the dates via all social media.

We are so excited guys! We truly appreciate your support, and we can't wait to begin these next projects this summer! Talk to you soon!

Zack, Nick, and Olivia

Rolling in the Deep

János Starker: A Tribute to the Life of the Legendary Cellist

When I woke up this morning, my phone was filled with emails and text messages about one thing: János Starker died today. Shocked at the sad news, my first thoughts were that I am honored to have met him, and that I am glad I had the opportunity to dedicate my performance on Friday night to the cello master. I want to offer a few thoughts and experiences I had with the legendary performer and teacher. "János Starker" is a name that I have revered since I was a young boy. My first cello teacher, Richard Worcester, once gave me a cassette tape for me to study of Starker playing the Saint-Saëns cello concerto. I still remember how impressed I was with his technical clarity and precision. Since that day, I always go to János Starker's recordings for my first study of a piece.

In 2005, "János Starker" became more than a name to me. I was privileged enough to play for Mr. Starker at Indiana University, where he taught for several years. I was there auditioning for the school of music for my undergraduate degree. When I walked into his office for my audition, I don't remember him ever saying a word to me - maybe just "hello" or "let's begin". I was honored, terrified, and excited all at the same time. I performed Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations as well as the gavottes from Bach suite 4. Then I left! That was it! Really, there was hardly any interaction between us at all. But I remember looking up at him while I was performing, and he was staring at me with "those eyes." I had always heard about his powerful gaze. People said that when he looks at you, you listen. His eyes almost put you in a trance. So I had to see for myself during my audition. And the rumors were true. His eyes were truly intense and powerful! But I must say as well, although his gaze was intense, I didn't let it get to me; I had also been reassured that he was a kind, gentle man. And that he was.

Another thought I have is about my concert this past Friday night. I performed a solo recital at Arizona State University, where I played the Kodály solo sonata. This piece was deemed by many as unplayable, until Starker performed the difficult piece when he was still young. With Starker's incredible performance of this previously "impossible" sonata, the child prodigy set a new standard of cello playing. On Friday, I didn't perform the piece anywhere near his caliber; but I am deeply honored I was able to spend an entire evening revering the master with my close friends, family, and appreciative artists and musicians.

Today I am truly in awe over János Starker, just as I was that day listening to him on my cassette tape. I am so glad to have met him. And although I am saddened for the loss of a legend, I am happy to be able to commemorate him, and I will the rest of my life.  He taught and performed worldwide, and as one of the greatest cellists who has ever lived, I will be revere and honor him forever.

by Zack Clark