After the release of ‘The Palmin Sessions’, Rüdiger Oppermann – a harp player and field recording legend – asked me to record a few pieces with him for a dance performance. After the recording sessions, we always sat down together and listened to the recordings that Rüdiger had collected over the decades from all over the world. One evening, Rüdiger played some vocal tracks that he had recorded in Okinawa – the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan
I had never heard anything like it. It sounded very conceptual and intellectual, but at the same time warm and emotional. I started to do more research and eventually went to Okinawa on a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut. Mina Mermoud – a Japanese violinist and music researcher – accompanied me on this trip. We travelled together to three different islands to record Okinawan singers such as Tetsuhiro Daiku and Keiko Kina. I tried to rearrange these recordings without losing the spirit of Okinawa – one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to.

My favourite track:
Tsundara Bushi

https://svenkacirek.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-okinawa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWV2tetLmmE&t=347s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53loYBhYGFI