We keep on zigzagging around the world thanks to our Musical Road to Womex. The World Music Expo is going to raise the curtain on its Lisbon edition in less than a month and we have just enriched our section with a third episode…
This week, from South Africa, we embarked on a journey to South Korea and in Seoul we met with groove& (groove and), a trio causing rhythmic havoc and turning the K-music scene upside down.
They say they can turn any beats into grooves and when you listen to their music, you can’t help but be attracted to and enraptured by their funky and tradition-defying percussive sound.
groove& musicians indeed move from traditional Eastern Asia instruments like the yanggeum (zyther) or percussions like the janggu (drum) and kkwaenggwari and ul-la (gongs), but employ them in a forward-looking and provoking way.
To learn more about Hakyung KIM, Minju SOHN and Sangkyung LEE and their music, have a read of our quick Q&A, listen to their playlist and if in Lisbon on Saturday 22nd of October, don’t miss their performance at Teatro Tivoli from 00:30.
Can you briefly introduce your music to someone who is going to listen to it for the first time at Womex?
Groove& started in 2017 and all songs are created by groove&. We reinterpret Korean traditional music to create music that harmonises tradition and modernity. In addition, we are trying to show delicacy and sophisticated playing skills.
Who and what are your musical influences and where does your sound come from?
There is no particular musical influence. But most of Korea’s traditional musical instruments come from nature. We get a lot of material from the sounds of nature and everyday life.
As well as a Worldwide Music Expo, Womex is a good and proper global music fun fair. Is there anything you are looking forward to attending/enjoying during those five days?
It is a gathering place for musicians of all nationalities. We want to enjoy music together while watching another team’s showcase. And also we want to introduce various cultures such as Korean traditional rhythms and culture.
This Womex edition will happen in Lisbon. Have you ever been there and is there anything you are looking forward to doing/visiting/eating or drinking in the Portuguese capital?
This is our first visit to Lisbon. We just want to eat EGG TART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Womex is a unique opportunity to share and showcase your music with new people and let them know about your upcoming projects. Can you reveal to us some of your plans for the future?
We are planning to start our concert tour in 2023. We want to meet a variety of audiences and promote our music. If you enjoy our performances and understand Korean rhythms, it will be more enjoyable to watch the performances.
Let’s say that you have to draft an invitation card for our readers to join you at Womex and enjoy your showcase. What would you write in it?
groove& is the most unique percussion team EVER !
South Korea is the BEST Country EVER !
- groove& will be performing on the Teatro Tivoli stage on Saturday 22nd at 00:30AM -
You can find all the previous episodes of Musical Road to Womex HERE