반도지형도 (Shape of the Land)

About This Album

BANDO [Shape of the Land] “Where did our traditional music truly come from?” That is the question that brought together the four brilliant musicians, Hwang Jin-ah on Geomungo, Lee Simoon on guitar, Kim Sung-wan on saxophone and Kang Jeon-ho on drums, and the contemporary music project “Bando” is the answer to that. The identity of Korean music was formed based on the geographical features of peninsula resulting in the cultural diversity; when you walk on the open plain, you suddenly find yourself facing mountains, and when you go over the mountains, a broad expanse of sea welcomes you. That’s the beauty of peninsula (‘bando’ in Korean) and our cultural foundation has become more enriched because we are in this geographical position where we make constant communications with a vast continent as well as venture out into an unknown wide ocean. Born and raised in the Korean Peninsula, these four musicians in the Bando project present their original pieces about the geographical features of Korea in this album such as sea, river, island, rice paddy, or road. The music of the Bando project will sound foreign but familiar at the same time. Those who started from different places eventually came together and will provide listeners with the true understanding of Korean music. 1. 동해 East Sea East Sea is the wildest sea among three seas surrounding the Korean Peninsula. There is this sound of the wildness illustrated in the Bando music. 2. 안개 Mist Heavy mist always covers Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do where two rivers merge. The mist gradually clears, but shortly covers the area again. And again. 3. 여름 논 Summer Paddy This piece is inspired by a song that people used to sing when harrowing the field in Seoguipo, Jeju. When the sun was blazing down in scorching summer, the field would have been filled only with the sound of clashing farming tools and the farmers’ singing. 4. 강, 하류 Downstream The river flows peacefully downstream. This picturesque scene inspired this piece. 5. 강, 상류 Upstream The river meanders energetically upstream. The songs sung by people who spent their entire lives on the river are echoed everywhere. 6. 남쪽 섬 Southern Island There are thousands of islands in the south of the Korean Peninsula. It feels like there is at least one sunny island somewhere in the south where some good-natured, adorable people are picking fruits. Inspired by a traditional work song “Sound of Picking Fruits,” this piece evokes such an island. 7. 모로 가도 서울만 Drunken Old Town in the streets of a city in the broad daylight, there are people staggering under the influence of alcohol. It looks no one knows where to go, but they all come together in one place in the end. Anyway, all is well that ends well. 8. 산을 따라 사는 Mountains The mountains in the Korean Peninsula are linked and people’s lives also flow along the ranges. Continuously and endlessly. 9. 길 Highways Roads and highways crisscross the Korean Peninsula. And the Bando takes the journey around the Peninsula along these roads. [Credit] Director Gina Hwang Music Producer Simun Lee Executive Producer Victor M.K. Kye Composition Gina Hwang (1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9), Simun Lee (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8) Arrangement Gina Hwang, Simun Lee, Sungwan Kim, Jeonho Kang Recording by Kyeongho Yeom at Nain House (2023, 4, 3 ~ 4) Mixing & Mastering by Sangyong Min at studioLOG Cover Art, Album Design Sitch Photograph Seung Yull Nah Geomungo Gina Hwang / Guitar Simun Lee / Saxophone Sungwan Kim / Drums Jeonho Kang Chorus Vocals Gina Hwang, Simun Lee, Sungwan Kim, Jeonho Kang, Victor M.K. Kye, Yejin Ahn (Track 5) Management & Worldwide booking NPLUG (www.nplug.kr)