Eyvind Kang
Encyclopedia
Eyvindur Kang (b. Corvallis, Oregon
, United States
, 1971), only child of Charles Shin-Chul Kang and Kristjana Gunnars
, is an American composer
, violin
ist, tuba
, and erhu
player. He was raised in Canada and the United States, and has since lived and worked in countries ranging from Italy
to Iceland
.
Kang's work is difficult to classify, but can broadly be seen as a classical
approach to jazz
music with punk, ambient
, and traditional folk influences. However, each of his solo efforts is almost in a different genre. Kang has also worked with musicians including Mike Patton
, John Zorn
, Trey Spruance
, Sunn 0))), Tim Young
, Marc Ribot
and Beck
, supporting the latter during a 2000 tour of Japan. In addition, he has been a guest musician on many albums, including Bill Frisell
's Quartet (1996) and 858 Quartet with music written by Frisell based on the paintings of the German artist Gerhard Richter, Secret Chiefs 3
's Book M
and playing the viola
on five of Laura Veirs
' albums.
A recurring theme in his solo work is the "NADE", the meaning of which Kang is not willing to disclose. Referring titles include "Theme from the first NADE", "5th NADE/Invisible Man", "Theme from the sixth NADE" (all three from the debut album 7 NADEs, 1996); "Jewel of the NADE", "Mystic NADE" (both from Theater of Mineral NADEs, 1998) and "Harbour of the NADE" (Virginal Co-ordinates, 2003). Branching out, Kang composed music for a stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby, with lyrics by Amy Engelhardt (a member of The Bobs
), which premiered in May 2006. In June 2006, Trey Spruance, of the Secret Chiefs 3, announced a new Evyind Kang seven inch record to be released on his record label, Web of Mimicry. The record has yet to surface. The Secret Chiefs 3 live album Eyes of Flesh, Eyes of Flame
features three compositions from Kang, all of which also appear on his album Theater of Mineral NADEs, released the same year. He also plays violin on the album. His preferred instrument is the viola.
Kang lives on Vashon Island
, near Seattle
, Washington.
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city located in central western Oregon, United States. It is the county seat of Benton County and the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 54,462....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 1971), only child of Charles Shin-Chul Kang and Kristjana Gunnars
Kristjana Gunnars
Kristjana Gunnars is an Icelandic-Canadian poet and novelist. Her volumes of poetry include Settlement Poems, which focuses on 19th century Icelandic settlers in Manitoba, and One-Eyed Moon Maps.-External links:...
, is an American composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist, tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
, and erhu
Erhu
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a "southern fiddle", and sometimes known in the Western world as the "Chinese violin" or a "Chinese two-stringed fiddle". It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles...
player. He was raised in Canada and the United States, and has since lived and worked in countries ranging from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
Kang's work is difficult to classify, but can broadly be seen as a classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
approach to jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
music with punk, ambient
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
, and traditional folk influences. However, each of his solo efforts is almost in a different genre. Kang has also worked with musicians including Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
, John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
, Trey Spruance
Trey Spruance
Preston Lea Spruance III or "Trey Spruance" is an American composer, producer, and musician, perhaps best known as the leader of the multi-genre outfit Secret Chiefs 3 and for his work as guitarist and keyboardist with Mr. Bungle...
, Sunn 0))), Tim Young
Tim Young
Timothy or Tim Young may refer to:*Tim Young *Tim Young *Tim Young *Tim Young *Tim Young *Timothy R. Young, U.S. representative from Illinois*Timothy Young , a character in the Saw films...
, Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
and Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, supporting the latter during a 2000 tour of Japan. In addition, he has been a guest musician on many albums, including Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell
William Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
's Quartet (1996) and 858 Quartet with music written by Frisell based on the paintings of the German artist Gerhard Richter, Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3
Secret Chiefs 3 is an instrumental rock group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance . Their studio recordings and tours have featured different line-ups, as the group performs a wide range of musical styles including surf rock, Persian, Arab, Indian, death metal, film music, electronic music,...
's Book M
Book M
Book M is the third studio album by Secret Chiefs 3, released in 2001. The album is centered around the theme of the Holy Grail, and the artwork consists of several layers of ciphers and alchemical symbols.- Track listing :...
and playing the viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
on five of Laura Veirs
Laura Veirs
Laura Pauline Veirs is an American singer-songwriter.Veirs was raised in Colorado, studied geology and Mandarin Chinese at Carleton College, worked as a translator for a geological expedition in China, and now lives in Portland, Oregon.While growing up, she heard folk-country, classical, and pop...
' albums.
A recurring theme in his solo work is the "NADE", the meaning of which Kang is not willing to disclose. Referring titles include "Theme from the first NADE", "5th NADE/Invisible Man", "Theme from the sixth NADE" (all three from the debut album 7 NADEs, 1996); "Jewel of the NADE", "Mystic NADE" (both from Theater of Mineral NADEs, 1998) and "Harbour of the NADE" (Virginal Co-ordinates, 2003). Branching out, Kang composed music for a stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby, with lyrics by Amy Engelhardt (a member of The Bobs
The Bobs
The Bobs were dubbed the first new wave a cappella group in history when they were founded in San Francisco, California in the early 1980s. Now based in Seattle, Washington, this genre-bending, eccentric vocal group has maintained a healthy cult following in the U.S...
), which premiered in May 2006. In June 2006, Trey Spruance, of the Secret Chiefs 3, announced a new Evyind Kang seven inch record to be released on his record label, Web of Mimicry. The record has yet to surface. The Secret Chiefs 3 live album Eyes of Flesh, Eyes of Flame
Eyes of Flesh, Eyes of Flame
Eyes of Flesh, Eyes of Flame is a live album by Secret Chiefs 3, recorded August 18, 1998 and rereleased in 2007. Recorded live at their performance at Slims in San Francisco on August 18, 1998, this CD features the 1998 touring incarnation of Secret Chiefs 3, Trey Spruance, Danny Heifetz, Eyvind...
features three compositions from Kang, all of which also appear on his album Theater of Mineral NADEs, released the same year. He also plays violin on the album. His preferred instrument is the viola.
Kang lives on Vashon Island
Vashon Island
Vashon is a census-designated place in King County, Washington, United States. It covers an island alternately called Vashon Island or Vashon-Maury Island, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. The population was 10,624 at the 2010 census. At , it is about 60 percent larger...
, near Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, Washington.
Incomplete discography
- Dancing Flowers / Universal Indians [RGI Industries] (1995)
- 7 NADEs [Tzadik] (1996)
- Sweetness of Sickness [RGI Industries] (1996/9)
- Dying Ground [Avant] (1998)
- Theatre of Mineral NADEs [Tzadik] (1998)
- Pieces of Time [Line 4 / Spool] (1999)
- MBEK (with Michael Bisio) [Meniscus Records] (2000)
- The Story of IcelandThe Story of IcelandThe Story of Iceland is an album of modern chamber music in multiple styles by violinist and multi-instrumentalist Eyvind Kang, accompanied by a large ensemble that includes guitarist Bill Frisell.- Track listing :...
[Tzadik] (2000) - In the Path of Love (with Amir Koushkani) (2001)
- Live Low To The Earth In The Iron Age (2002)
- napoli 23 [Smekkleysa] (2002)
- Virginal Co OrdinatesVirginal Co OrdinatesVirginal Co Ordinates is an album by Eyvind Kang, released in 2004 by Ipecac Recordings.-Track listing:All tracks written by Eyvind Kang.# "Go in a Good Way to a Better Place" – 4:10# "I Am the Dead" – 5:08# "Doorway to the Sun" – 19:23...
[Ipecac] (2003) - Orchestra Dim Bridges (with Tucker Martine) [Conduit] (2004)
- Socket - Jan.14-15 [Amulet] (2005)
- "Æstuarium (with Jessika Kenney) [Endless Records] (2005)
- Athlantis [Ipecac] (2007)
- The Yelm Sessions [Tzadik] (2007)
Guest appearances
- Mr. BungleMr. BungleMr. Bungle was an experimental band from Northern California. The band was formed in 1985 while the members were still in high school and was named after a children's educational film. Mr. Bungle released four demo tapes in the mid to late 1980s before being signed to Warner Bros. Records and...
- CaliforniaCalifornia (Mr. Bungle album)California is the final studio album by the band Mr. Bungle.Going by credits alone, Mike Patton contributed more to this album than any other member of the band. Additionally, it is also the most Patton had contributed to any Mr. Bungle album in terms of songwriting.It was supposed to be released...
(1999) - John Schuller - Lesser Angel of Failure (2002)
- Tableland - Tremulous Elemental (2002)
- Jason WebleyJason WebleyJason Webley is an American musician known for his fusion of folk, experimental and alternative music. He began as a busker, playing accordion in the streets of Seattle, Washington, but has since moved in-doors and on stage, playing various venues....
- CounterpointCounterpoint (album)Counterpoint is the third album by Jason Webley, released in 2002.-Track listing:#"Southern Cross" - 6:16#"Broken Cup" - 6:12#"Quite Contrary" - 3:08#"Then" - 4:44#"It's Not Time to Go Yet" - 5:59#"The Graveyard" - 6:38#"Northern Lights" - 5:17...
(2002) - Master Musicians of Bukkake - The Visible Sign of the Invisible Order (2004)
- string arrangements for Blonde RedheadBlonde RedheadBlonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace , which formed in New York City in 1993....
- Misery Is a ButterflyMisery Is a ButterflyMisery Is a Butterfly is the sixth studio album by Blonde Redhead, released in 2004.- Track listing :# "Elephant Woman" – 4:49# "Messenger" – 3:21# "Melody" – 4:36# "Doll Is Mine" – 3:06# "Misery Is a Butterfly" – 5:07# "Falling Man" – 3:26...
(2004) - Animal CollectiveAnimal CollectiveAnimal Collective is an experimental psychedelic band originally from Baltimore, Maryland, currently based in New York City. Animal Collective consists of Avey Tare , Panda Bear , Deakin , and Geologist...
- FeelsFeelsFeels is the sixth studio album by American freak folk band Animal Collective, released in October 2005 by FatCat Records. Initial copies contained a bonus disc of live material. It also appeared at #55 on Pitchfork Media's top 200 albums of the 2000s....
(2005) - Laura VeirsLaura VeirsLaura Pauline Veirs is an American singer-songwriter.Veirs was raised in Colorado, studied geology and Mandarin Chinese at Carleton College, worked as a translator for a geological expedition in China, and now lives in Portland, Oregon.While growing up, she heard folk-country, classical, and pop...
- Year of MeteorsYear of MeteorsYear of Meteors is a 2005 album by Laura Veirs, not to be confused with Walt Whitman poem "Year of Meteors" .-Track listing:#"Fire Snakes" – 4:57#"Galaxies" – 3:35#"Secret Someones" – 5:16#"Magnetized" – 2:37#"Parisian Dream" – 3:05...
(2005) - Songs "Fire Snakes", "Parisian Dream" and "Black Gold Blues" - Alvarius B - "Blood Operatives of the Barium Sunset"(2005)
- various projects with Bill Frisell's Quartet
- various projects with Sun City Girls
- The DecemberistsThe DecemberistsThe Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
- The Crane WifeThe Crane WifeThe Crane Wife is an album by The Decemberists, released in 2006. It was produced by Tucker Martine and Chris Walla, and is the band's first album on the Capitol Records label. The album was inspired by a Japanese folk tale, and centers on two song cycles, The Crane Wife and The Island, the latter...
(2006) - Sunn O)))Sunn O)))Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
& BorisBoris (band)is a Japanese experimental rock band, known for often combining and switching between different music genres including drone metal, sludge metal, noise rock, psychedelic rock, ambient and pop...
- AltarAltar (album)Altar is a collaboration album between Japanese doom band Boris and American drone doom duo Sunn O))), released on October 31, 2006 through Southern Lord Records. A limited two-CD edition was released on October 23 via Southern Lord with a 28 minute bonus track with Sunn O))), Boris, and Dylan...
(2006) - Songs "The Sinking Belle (Black Sheep)", "The Sinking Belle (White Sheep)" - Sam AmidonSam AmidonSam Amidon is an American independent folk artist born in Brattleboro, Vermont, June 3, 1981. His parents are folk artists Peter and Mary Alice Amidon. His younger brother, Stefan Amidon, is a professional drummer who performs with The Sweetback Sisters among other groups. Sam attended The Putney...
- All Is WellAll Is Well (Sam Amidon album)All Is Well is the second album by Sam Amidon. It is a collection of re-arranged traditional folk songs .- Track listing :# "Sugar Baby" - 5:24# "Little Johnny Brown" - 4:30# "Saro" - 3:23# "Wild Bill Jones" - 5:28... - Thilges - "La Double Absence" (2007)
- Channeling Picasso by Nelson Soucek and Craig James Green
- Sunn O)))Sunn O)))Sunn O))) is an American doom metal band known for its synthesis of diverse genres including drone, ambient, noise, and black metal. Supported by a varying cast of collaborators, the band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson .-History:Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn...
- Monoliths & DimensionsMonoliths & DimensionsMonoliths & Dimensions is the seventh studio album by the avant-garde drone doom band Sunn O))). The album was created and recorded over a period of two years and features the collaborations of composer Eyvind Kang, Australian guitar player Oren Ambarchi, Hungarian vocalist Attila Csihar, Dylan... - Six Organs Of AdmittanceSix Organs of AdmittanceSix Organs of Admittance is the primary musical project of guitarist Ben Chasny. Chasny's music is largely guitar-based and is often considered new folk, however it includes obvious influences, marked by the use of drones, chimes, and eclectic percussive elements...
- Luminous Night(2009) - Alvarius B - "Baroque Primitiva"(2011)