The Ozark Pack

Martin “Marty” Byrde, the best person to live a double life since Hannah Montana. Although he tried to get the “best of both worlds,” oftentimes he’d find himself stuck choosing between employer satisfaction and his life in a world where death lurks in the unlikeliest of places and total freedom is but an intangible illusion. 

My friend Marty here didn’t want this life but accepted it when he chose to launder money for one of the largest drug cartels in North America. Regardless of his desires, his decision to balance checks whilst tipping the scales in favor of an illegal operation landed him in a cyclone of paranoia and distrust. Marty, Marty, Marty… what did you get yourself into?

A picture containing bird

Description automatically generated

‘The Ozark Pack’ is a conceptual beat tape by @nonexzistent created by sampling every featured song on Ozark’s Season 3 soundtrack. This resulted in a 17-track project that was fueled by spontaneous creativity and productive exploration that forced my music producing self out of its comfort zone. However, I ultimately achieved my goal of incorporating at least one sample from every song on the soundtrack as a fundamental part of its respective beat.

In all honesty, this was a challenge. I believe samples can be found anywhere, in any song, but in reality, most songs aren’t made to be sampled. So I listened and listened for bits and pieces that may be useful and let my mind run free, sometimes frustrated at not being able to find useful sounds *cough* @Brujeria *cough* (great music but waow 😅). And sometimes I loved the vibe so much that I didn’t want to touch the song (@RonaldAspery)…. but for the purpose of completing this project, I did.

 All in all, this was fun – as I hope my music creation process will always be. Now, time for a new chapter of life. One where I don’t have to choose between employer satisfaction and personal exploration. One where I take care of myself and those around me. One where total freedom is more tangible than imaginable and soon becomes my our reality.

||

Soundtrack samples Based on Eleanor Bley Griffiths’ Spotify Playlist “Ozark Season 3 – Netflix Soundtrack”

I have the utmost respect for the sources of my samples and if my creations In anyway discredit, disrespect, or harm the original song makers, please let me know and I would be happy to alter or potentially remove the sample. I do believe ‘Fair Use’ covers the use of these samples, but would never want to overstep those boundaries.

||

Instruments Sampled

  1. The Big Big Bang – Orchestral Segments from “Symphony No.7 in A Major” by Beethoven
  2. Trailer Park Blues – Vocals segments used for reverse vox melody and vox swells during verse, and guitar for rhythmic element from “The Fundamentals” by Arthur Ahbez
  3. Three – Vox Chops for Melody “All around, the lunatics…” from “The Daily Mail” by Radiohead
  4. New Me – Vox Chops, and Melodic Chops from “Bebey” by Theophilus London
  5. C.R.E.A.M.I.A – various vocal chops for ambience and intro synth from “C.R.E.A.M.” by the Wu-Tang Clan
  6. Navarro’s Anthem – Vox Samps, Guitar from “Bésame Mucho” by Los Panchos
  7. Olympus – Rhythmic percussive element for stability and movement throughout the piece from “Brujerizmo” by Brujeria
  8. Wendy’s Interaction with the Police (Interlude) – Guitar Strum used as distorted percussive element heard in the background from “Revolucion” by Brujeria
  9. Ruth (The Real Mastermind) – Ruth Langmore’s voice for transition swells, Drums (Kick and Snare) from “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone
  10. Roy G Biv – Vox chops for melody and one piano note along with various vox samples for transition from “I’d Rather Go Blind” Etta James
  11. Dr. Fred Meade – Vox chops and guitar as a backup melody from “Time for Me to Fly” by REO Speedwagon
  12. Only Helen Knows – Drums, Vox Samps from “Only You Know” by Dion
  13. Charlotte (The Big Sister) – Various instrument chops and vocal chops from “Full Clip” by Gang Starr
  14. Sue – Gerry Roslie Vox Scream, Intro Guitar from “Have Love Will Travel” by The Sonics
  15. Martydom – Vox Shouts, drum break for background drums, and various vocal samples including ‘journey into sound’ ‘pump up the volume,’ from “Paid in Full” by Eric B & Rakim, and Marley Marl
  16. Wendy (The Big Sister pt.II) – Vox, drum kit (kick, snare, and perc) DJ scratches, vox shouts, from “ooh la la” by Run The Jewels
  17. Ben’s Finale – Various 4 bars, Piano/Sax Chops Drums (Kick and Snare)from “Jazz Nightly” by Ronald Aspery

Vocabulary Key (Since these were my production notes)

  • vox = vocals
  • samp = sample(s)
  • chops = small bits from samples, normally vocals used for melody
  • bars (ex. 4 bars) = loops created from a section of a song