Archive for ‘News’

Words by Luke Shekerali

Thanks to YouTube, most people have heard Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’, but it’s unlikely that they are aware of the rich selection of music Korea has to offer other than this one-hit wonder. Well, luckily for Londoners, there is a chance to experience it first-hand at K-Music Festival 2013 this June. Whether you’re a fan of Korean music or not yet sure, this looks set to be a special event, with venues all over London getting involved.

The week-long festival opens with a UK debut from the highly innovative National Orchestra of Korea at the Barbican, who will dazzle the audience with sounds drawn from ancient instruments and Korean shamanic traditions.

Meanwhile, Geomungo Factory (pictured above) will also make their UK debut at the Cadogan Hall, improvising sounds inspired by jazz, folk and ambient on the thousand-year-old geomungo (zither).

Also making a rare appearance at Cadogan Hall is Ahn Sook-Sun, Korea’s most celebrated pansori star (read more about her in our next issue, #93, on sale June 7). Often described as Korean opera, pansori is in fact more rooted in folk. The audience can expect to be immersed in Sook-Sun’s vivid performance in Heungbo-ga, a comic story surrounding two brothers.

Expect all this and more at this year’s UK celebration of Korean culture.

Upcoming June dates:

June 14 –The National Orchstra of Korea - Barbican
June 16 – UhUhBoo Project + Pere Ubu - Scala
June 19 – Geomungo Factory, Cadogan Hall
June 20 – Yi Sung Yol + Kilha, Scala
June 21 –Pansori Night (Ahn Sook-Sun), Cadogan Hall

Tags: cadogan hall, geomungo factory, k-music 2013, korea, national orchestra of korea, pansori, psy, serious.

Chris Wood continues None the Wiser tour

In support of his latest release, folk multi-instrumentalist Chris Wood continues his None the Wiser tour tonight at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn venue. The remaining eight dates include performances London’s Union Chapel and Birmingham’s Glee Club.

A recipient of multiple successes at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, most notably winning Folk Singer of the Year in both 2009 and 2011, Wood continues to be an important figurehead at the forefront of the traditional English music scene. 

UK tour dates:

May 16 – Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn
May 16 – Canterbury, Cathedral Lodge
May 21 – Liverpool, St George’s Hall
May 22 – Birmingham, The Glee Club
May 23 – London, Union Chapel
May 24 – Derby, The Guildhall 
May 25 – Winchester, Discovery Centre
May 26 – Brighton, The Basement

Tags: bbc radio 2 folk awards, Chris Wood, english folk, none the wiser, traditional, union chapel.

Grammy nominee to play intimate London show

Spearheading the emerging generation of Cajun and Creole musicians, Cedric Watson is a fiddler and songwriter. Hailing from southern Louisiana, his energy and photogenic look perhaps mark him out from other musicians in the Lafayette region.

Having recently teamed up with the Pine Leaf Boys and following on from the release of his new album Le Soleil est Levé (reviewed in #91), Watson returns to perform at one of the more intimate and unknown venues in London, the Canada Water Culture Space. 

For more information or to purchase tickets click here

Listen to Watson’s 2008 debut below:

Tags: cajun, canada water culture space, cedric watson, creole, lafayette, le soleil est leve, louisiana, pine leaf boys.

© Renaud Barret

Hotel Univers set for release on May 20

Straight from the heart of Kinshasa, Jupiter & Okwess International are set to release their long awaited international debut album Hotel Univers on Out Here Records. 

Band leader Jupiter Bokondji, who refers himself to be the ‘rebel general’ of Congolese music, is the charismatic and outstanding representative of the innovative scene of street musicians in Kinshasa. This scene became internationally well-known through the success of Staff Benda Bilili, a band who they share close ties with and have sadly since split up. 

After an extensive tour around Africa, Jupiter & Okwess International will be on tour in Europe from May, which includes a performance at Glastonbury (June 28) and at the Olympic Park in London (July 28).

Track-listing: 

01  Bapasi
02  Margerita Listen Here
03  Bakwapanu  
04  Evala Interlude  
05  The World Is My Land (Deutschland)  
06  Yaka feat. Bebson de la rue  
07  Mwana Yokatoli  
08  Congo  
09  Tshanga Tshungu feat. Evala Vala  
10  Nelly Interlude  
11  Solobombe  
12  Djwende Talelaka  

A ‘Making Of’ video:

Tags: congo, hotel univers, Jupiter & Okwess International, jupiter bokondji, kinshasa, out here records, Staff Benda Bilili.