Huun Huur Tu @ DOWNSTAIRS

In the organizer's words:

Downstairs starts with the first highlight of this November project:

Huun-Huur-Tu(Tuvan Хүн Хүртү Khün Khürtü) is a music group from the Russian autonomous republic of Tuva. It became known mainly through its further development and modernization of the Tuvan throat singingKhöömei (Хөөмей, Tuvan for "throat"), which it combines with traditional Tuvan instruments such as Igil or Doshpuluur, but also others such as guitar or synthesizer, thus making it internationally known.

In 1992, Sasha Bapa, his brother Sayan, Kaigal-ool Khovalyg and Albert Kuvezin founded the group KUNGURTUK to concentrate on presenting old and forgotten songs from their homeland. On the one hand, they are committed to preserving these songs, while on the other, their concerts demonstrate the importance of combining tradition and innovation. Later, the musicians of the ensemble decided to rename it HUUN-HUUR-TU.

Kaigal-ool Khovalyg Vocals (Khöömei, Sygyt, Kargyraa), Igyl

Radik Tyulyush Vocals (Barbang-Nadyr), Byzaanchi, Khomuz (jew's harp)

Alexej Saryglar Vocals (Sygyt), Tuyug (horse hooves), Tungur (shaman-drum), Igyl

Sayan Bapa Vocals (Kargyraa & Khöömei), Toschpulur, Guitar, Igyl

Tuvan throat and overtone singing is one of the most fascinating vocal techniques in the world, and HUUN-HUUR-TU are masters of its various varieties. There is an unmistakable ritual character to this music, but HUUN-HUUR-TU contrast all meditative tendencies with a strong rhythmic orientation. This fascinating overtone singing, which can produce up to 3 melodies simultaneously, remains deeply mysterious. Traditionally, Tuvan music was mostly performed by soloists, and musicians specialized in a particular genre or style. These genres and styles in turn have their origins in certain social occasions. HUUN-HUUR-TU's eclectic performances of old songs and melodies as a group and accompanied by instruments thus move between all elements of Tuvan musical life. To Western ears, they sound fascinatingly strange, but at the same time contemporary and modern.