Take a trip to southern Japan and explore the diverse music of Kyūshū Island.. from left-field pop to electronic ambience and futuristic hip hop – they’ve got it all!
East Asia
Like a real live ancient Chinese painting
A Mystical Land // The North of Japan
From left to right: Japanese tourist, teenage bear, Ainu couple.
The island of Hokkaido is a world of wonder and mystery. For this musical journey, we are joined by experimental multi-media artist/dancer, Sammy Chien, who recently visited Hokkaido and shares with us his experiences with the native Ainu people.
Taiwanese artist Sammy Chien
There are fascinating and disturbing parallels between the Ainu of Japan and First Nations cultures of Canada, a history of colonization and oppression – yet both groups are reclaiming their homeland and moving forward with dignity and hope.
Behold a mix of Hokkaido music – folk, rock, hip hop and more. Kane inuma!
The Sound of Dragon across Time and Space
If you are curious about blending two very distinct musical worlds, there has probably never been a better place and time than Vancouver and Now. As the city hosts large populations with European and Asian heritage, it seems inevitable that these cultures should mix and create something new and distinctly Canadian. As someone who has lived in the city for nearly 18 years, a city known for its openness and spirit of innovation, it surprises me how little musical cross-pollination seems to be happening. Enter the Sound of Dragon.
Mark Armanini and Lan Tung in Taipei
With one foot in the folk traditions of China and the other in the wild improvisational aesthetic of jazz, the Sound of Dragon Ensemble is blazing a brave new standard for what Canadian music can be. The first hour of this week’s program presents an intriguing conversation with SODE composers Lan Tun, John Oliver, and Mark Armanini, longtime residents of Vancouver and scholars of sonic alchemy. Catch their spring concert this thursday!
Channel the Inner Stallion
Man and horsehead fiddle
Happy year of the Rooster! However this week we travel to more of a horse lovin’ part of China. Explore the music of Inner Mongolia – an autonomous region rich in Mongol folk traditions mixing with Han Chinese culture and a serious inclination to rock. Throat singing and heavy guitars go together like boodog and Khar Khorum.
WANDERING RHYTHMS RADIO 