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Melodies of Nature with a native twist

Folk sounds from Aboriginal singer Samingad and the band AM. PHOTO COURTESY OF HUASHAN MUSIC HOUSE

While thousands of music lovers will be heading south this weekend to partake in what could well prove to be the largest holiday-weekend party the tiny seaside town of Kenting, if not Taiwan, has ever seen, some of the nation's more sedate and earthy artists will be holding a less hectic concert of their own at Taipei's Huashan Music House (華山音樂館) tomorrow evening.

Entitled, Songs of the Earth and the Sea (大地與海洋之歌), the gig will see the combined talents of Taiwan's award-winning singing policeman, Chen Jien-nien (陳建年), Aboriginal activist and crooner, Kimbo Hu (胡德夫) as well as the Aboriginal combo the Am Band (Am樂團) and its award winning vocalist, Samingad (紀曉君), taking to the stage of the popular folk/rock venue.

Needing little if any introduction, Golden Melody Award winner, Chen -- who is still on the payroll of the Taitung Police department -- recently transferred to Orchid Island where he recorded his most recent album, last year's, Mother Earth (大地). While Chen's day job means his live appearances are few and far between, his enigmatic lifestyle hasn't gotten in the way of his becoming one of Taiwan's most original and popular Aboriginal folk artists.

Formed in 1993, Am Band, or A-minor as it is sometimes called, is made up of Aboriginal musicians hailing from various tribes of Southern Taiwan. The band began performing its blend of traditional Aboriginal sounds and Western folk in the streets of Taipei.

Seven years' hard work and several line-up changes later, the Am Band released its debut album on Taiwan's leading folk label, Taiwan Colors Music (TCM, 角頭音樂). A-minor: Until the Sunrise (Am到天亮) might not have gained gold or platinum status. It did, however, score vocalist, Samingad, a Golden Melody Award (金曲獎) in 2000 in the category of Best New Female Vocalist.

Although the band has yet to release a follow-up album, members of the band have appeared as backing musicians on many a TCM release, and perform regularly in Taipei.

In addition to the blithe talents of Chen and the Am Band, long-time musician and Aboriginal activist, Kimbo Hu, will be adding his own voice as well as his unique brand of guitar style to the evening's events. All of which, according to the organizers, will add up to an evening of simplistic, yet original and soulful odes to Taiwan and Mother Nature performed in varying styles and musical forms ranging from authentic Aboriginal tunes to Western folk-inspired numbers.

Songs of the Earth and the Sea will take place at 9pm tomorrow evening at Huashan Music House (華山音樂館). The venue is located at 1 Pate Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei (台北市八德路一段一號). Tickets cost NT$300, which includes one free drink, and are available at the door.
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