SsingSsing — NPR Tiny Desk, 2017

Released on September 28, 2017, this Tiny Desk Concert filmed at NPR’s Washington office made a lasting impression by revealing SsingSsing, the South Korean band that melts traditional minyo folk singing into a spectacular glam-rock frame. Across three songs — “Minyo Medley,” “Nanbongga (Song of Beloveds)” and “Saseol Nanbongga (Narrative Song of Beloveds)” — the group led by singer Hee-moon Lee (with Da-hye Choo and Seung-tae Shin on vocals, Young-gyu Jang on bass, Tae-won Lee on guitar and Chul-hee Lee on drums) unfolds a gender-bending aesthetic in which Korean shamanic heritage converses with the energy of Bowie or Madonna. Bob Boilen would cite it among his most memorable sessions. Between measured dramatic gestures, flamboyant costumes and subtle music, this multi-song live capture illustrates the vitality of the world-music scene and the astonishing power of reinvention of Korean musical heritage. A rare, fascinating filmed live concert, well worth discovering to broaden any listener’s horizon beyond the beaten path.