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"Communion" by Park Jiha is a wonderful album.
Park Jiha comes from South Korea. She's been in the scene since 2008, when she formed a duo with musician Jugmin Seo. A project that concluded in 2016. Meanwhile, Jiha had already begun working on her solo project: her first album ("Communion," indeed) was the result of this effort. Its release in Korea was in November 2016.
Her music can be defined as a meeting point between minimalism and a neo-classical and art-pop component: the peculiarity, which will surely catch the listeners' attention, lies in those sound nuances derived from her country's traditional culture, enhanced by the use of traditional Korean instruments.
But clearly, Jiha is an artist of her time and of international inspiration; her album cannot be categorized under "traditional music", and it is no coincidence that "Communion" was chosen by a brilliant label like "Glitterbeat", which reissued it last March.
Every time we talk about Korea, it's always about issues unrelated to culture, focusing solely on foreign and geopolitical affairs. This time, however, we find ourselves finally face to face with an artist as sensitive as she is talented.
One of my albums of the year: "Communion."
I introduce it with this nice chat I had with Jiha, whom I thank for her great availability and courtesy. Likewise, I'd like to thank Ira from Glitterbeat, a wonderful person who made herself available to ensure this interview took place.
Happy reading.
Ndr. English version follows.
1. Hi Jiha. I'm really glad you agreed to give me this interview, thank you very much. I've been listening to your album ("Communion") a lot since it was released on Glitterbeat, and I've been truly impressed. It's a beautiful album, and it also sparked my curiosity about your country's culture, partly because I have to admit that I truly know very little about Korea. Would you like to start by introducing yourself to the Italian listeners? This is practically your first solo album, initially released in South Korea and now reissued on Glitterbeat, right? You used to be part of a duo with Jugmin Seo. Did you make music different from what we hear in "Communion"? Do you think you might revisit that project in the future?
PJ. Hi, my name is Jiha and I come from Korea.
In my album, I play instruments from the tradition of my country: Piri, Saenghwang, Yanggeum.
Of course, I studied traditional Korean music, but this study, as well as the use of traditional instruments, has been the foundation from which I started to develop my music and my songs. So, my music is clearly different from traditional Korean music.
I like minimalism and classical music. So maybe when you listen to my music, it won't be so unfamiliar to you. I think we all live in the same contemporary society and share common traits even if we come from different parts of the world and cultures. Thus, my instruments come from my country's traditional culture, but my music has references in both Eastern and Western light and classical music.
I started playing with the duo [su:m] in 2008 and did so until 2016. Then, in November of the same year, I released my first solo album, "Communion." The album was released in Korea and then this year (last March), it was reissued by Glitterbeat worldwide.
2. The album has now been released on Glitterbeat, a label I really appreciate because it features artists from all over the world that might not reach a wide audience otherwise. How did you get in touch with them? Did they simply listen to your album and were impressed by it? Were they familiar with your other albums?
PJ. Jerome, who is the head of my promotion agency, "Earthbeat" (based in the Netherlands), sent my album to Glitterbeat, and the same year, I was chosen as a showcase artist for "Classical:NEXT" and "WOMEX". So I had the chance to perform in front of a lot of people from all over the world. Glitterbeat was present, and they appreciated my music, so they offered to release this album.
3. On the album, you play instruments that are typically Korean, starting with the "piri," which I understand is an instrument you've been playing since you were a little girl. Then there's the "yanggeum" and the "saenghwang." These are sounds that are clearly unconventional. I'm curious about how much these instruments are truly part of your culture today. Would you say they are something that belongs to the tradition or do they still play a role in pop culture or in classical music nowadays? How and when did you learn to play them? Consequently, what were your early approaches to music?
PJ. I've always loved music, since I was just a girl. In my home, there was always music in the air, and this happens now just as it did then. My parents listened to the radio all the time. So I could listen to music naturally. I liked singing and learned to play the Western flute. When I was in middle school, I wanted to learn to play traditional Korean instruments, so I applied and was accepted to the "Gukak National Middle School," a school where traditional Korean music is taught.
However, traditional Korean culture isn't very popular. Most people listen to what is called "K-pop" or are into pop culture. But a new generation that is growing up now is beginning to rediscover the tradition and culture of our nation, and thus also the music and different instruments. This is because they want to find something that truly represents them.
In any case, I would not say that my music is typically Korean traditional. I play instruments that belong to the Korean musical tradition, but I tell my stories through my instruments. But if my music can also be helpful in interesting listeners in my country, I can only be pleased.
4. You chose to title the album "Communion." Why did you make this choice? Did you develop the entire project around a specific theme? Can we say there's a connecting thread between the different songs? What can you tell us about the studio work and the musicians who contributed to the album's creation? I know you've been touring in Europe; how have things been going? Has it been a nice experience? Ah! I also wanted to ask if you've ever been to Italy and if in the future we'll have the chance to see you perform live here.
PJ. "Communion" is a word that holds great significance for me. In every case, it is a word I really like because I make music precisely to commune with the many things that surround me.
I think of, for instance, nature, people, the air, the space, and even spirituality.
So I searched for the word that for me meant most in terms of communication.
Apart from this, I am Catholic, and this word has a meaning that is part of my culture. But not only in the strictly religious sense. The word "communion" in general has a very broad significance.
There is no common line between every song on the album. But probably every song is part of a particular journey that has involved my life.
The album is a collection of songs I wrote between 2014 and 2016. I had been performing a lot around with my group (the [su:m]), when I decided to leave. Since then, a lot of things happened to me. You know, when I started, I was still in college; it took me nine years to finish it. In the end, I was exhausted. So I decided it was time for a change and started writing new songs. Then I met new people.
Among them: Kim Oki, Kang Tekhyun, John Bell.
Every person who worked with me on this album inspired me in some way.
Each has, among other things, a different story, a different musical background, different lifestyles, and of course, John Bell also has a different type of culture. He's from New Zealand, and his musical heritage is completely different from anything I knew.
The saxophonist Kim Oki plays in a very spiritual way; he has a truly powerful sound. I would say my music is generally much calmer and more minimalistic, but I really like how he plays.
I learned a lot from each of them (I always refer to John Bell, Kim Oki, and Kang Tekhyun) and I think that the variety of sounds is another good idea for explaining what I mean by "Communion."
I have been to Italy, yes. It happened only once; I played there with the [su:m]. Of course, I found the food simply delicious, and the concert was very good. It was very nice, and if there will be an opportunity in the future, I would definitely like to play there with my solo project.
Anyway, playing in Europe was fantastic. I always felt welcomed, and the audience responded enthusiastically. I am very happy about all of this.
5. When I thought of the album title ("Communion"), I immediately thought of the division between the two Koreas. What do Koreans think about what is happening now in your country? Of course, I think the most important thing for everyone is peace and the end of any tense situation, and I think everyone agrees on that. But I wonder if you believe this can only happen through the reunion of the two Koreas, if this is something you feel is truly necessary? Do you consider yourselves part of the same nation, or is this not really important?
PJ. Just a few days ago, there was the famous summit between the two Koreas. The end of the war and hostilities was practically declared. Many Koreans are absolutely happy about this, even though I don't really know now what will happen and if things will get better for us. However, at the moment, definitely many Koreans will feel a sense of peace.
However, I have to say that usually, when I'm in Korea, I never question the fact that we are a divided nation, and honestly, I can't tell you what the best solution is; I just want there to be peace.
READ IT IN ENGLISH.
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