Saharial introduces the talents of the Yoon Band, which will be performing in Trafalgar Square on 8 June When I heard that the Yoon Band was coming to the UK for two gigs in June, I was almost jumping round my room with excitement. That my room is rather small and I suffered a few … [Read More]
Music (page 93)
A meeting with The Invisible Fish
Anna Lindgren continues her series of interviews with interesting musicians When only a few days remained of 2006, Korea’s most distinguished indie folk duo said “goodbye” with the release of their second full album. We were many that didn’t quite want to believe it – of course there were other prominent folk acts, but nothing … [Read More]
Radio Pyongyang
Anna Lindgren explores some music from north of the DMZ Two years ago, I found myself browsing the homepage of Seattle-based label Sublime Frequencies. They offer some really interesting CDs and DVDs, but with my interest in most things related Korea the CD called “Radio Pyongyang: Commie Funk and Agit Pop from the Hermit Kingdom” … [Read More]
Musical intermission
We apologise for the disruption in service. Normal service will resume as soon as possible. In the meanwhile, here’s Jeon Sung-min (Guitar) and Jung Ji-eun (Kayageum): http://londonkoreanlinks.net/wp-content/uploads/audio/Track05.mp3 Sung-min and Ji-eun will also be playing at the Anglo-Korean Society event on 10 April. Book your tickets now. [Read More]
Im Kwon-taek shines at KCC
Matthew Jackson’s impressions from last Thursday’s screening of “Beyond the Years” at the Korean Cultural Centre There is definitely something extra that you get out of going to see a film in the company of people that you do not necessarily know, in surroundings that are not quite the same as any other you are … [Read More]
Patti Kim at 70
Congratulations to superstar singer Patti Kim on 49 years in the entertainment industry. Kim debuted in March 1959 before the US Eighth Army and has never looked back since. Using non-Western arithmetic, that makes her upcoming concert in Seoul at the end of April 2008 her 50th anniversary. Whatever the mathematics, I for one will … [Read More]
A meeting with Zitten
By Anna Lindgren In January, Korea’s premier indie label, Pastel Music, released a 5CD compilation to commemorate its 5th birthday. On those five CDs there are 71 songs in total. Needless to say there is plenty of good music on those CDs – I had expected as much when I pre-ordered it. What I did … [Read More]
New indie music sites
Those who keep an eye on my blogroll (I know that’s not very many of you) will have noticed that I recently added one or two new sites to my list of Music blog links. Firstly, Indieful RoK, a new blog of news about the Korean indie rock scene. Its creators are Helikoppter, aka Anna … [Read More]
Americans in Pyongyang
With typically bad timing my travel arrangements didn’t work out. I caught the Star-Spangled Banner and the first movement of the New World Symphony in the car on the way to the airport, but missed the North Korean anthem which opened the broadcast, and of course all the encores — including the tearful Arirang (by … [Read More]
Ruby Salon and the digital singles phenomenom
Anna Lindgren meets the people behind Ruby Salon I know I’m not alone in feeling frustration over the digital singles concept; artists releasing music only available through paid downloads – a not too uncommon way for Korean artists to get a few songs out before the next CD. Sure, in this day and age most … [Read More]
2008 Travel diary day 2: Sweetpea and the Secret Garden
Insadong, Saturday morning 16 February: I had somehow managed to get back to the hotel from Itaewon but the morning is a write-off. I am not best company for lunch with Justina of the Korean Cultural Promotion Agency. She’s in Seoul trying to drum up support (read: money) for the Dano Festival in Trafalgar Square … [Read More]
Hyun-ae Lee recital at the Guidhall School
Tuesday, 26 February 19:00 Location: Lecture Recital Room, Guildhall School Hyun-Ae Lee violin Bojana Dimkovic piano Schubert Sonata for violin and piano in A Saint-Seans/Ysaye Caprice Martinu Sonata for Violin and Piano no.1 Admission Free Links: Da Capo String Quartet blog Hyun-ae Lee biography Guildhall School events page [Read More]
Ji-yeoun You recital at LSE
Ji-Yeoun You (piano) Date: Thursday 14 February 2008 Time: 1.05-2pm Venue: Shaw Library, Old Building Beethoven: – Phantasie Op77 – Piano Sonata Op27 No 2 “Moonlight” – Piano Sonata Op57 “Appassionata” Winner of five major competition prizes, Ji Yeoun has the privilege of studying accompaniment with one of the 20th century’s great singers, Dietrich Fischer … [Read More]
A visit to Manhattan’s Korean CD shop: How did I do?
At a recent trip to visit my co-workers in Manhattan I of course made sure I looked in at AM Records in 32nd Street to see what Jay Kim could fix me up with this time. I went in without any fixed idea of what I wanted: an ideal scenario for an astute salesman such … [Read More]
We Love Kim Soo Hee (she said)
Two of your regular LKL writers were so taken with Kim Soo Hee’s concert on 26 January that we both felt moved to write about it. Here’s Jennifer‘s take. Kim Soo Hee, we love you! Especially when you make that heart shape with your arms above your head and blow a kiss. Please come back … [Read More]
We Love Kim Soo Hee (he said)
Two of your regular LKL writers were so taken with Kim Soo Hee’s concert on 26 January that we both felt moved to write about it. Here’s Philip‘s take. “They turned up this afternoon and asked us where our sound system and lighting was,” confided the House Manager at St John’s Smith Square as I … [Read More]