MIKAGE PROJECT Performances in Thailand and Malaysia to Commemorate 50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Sharing the Charm of Folk Songs with the World
To commemorate the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, the Japan Foundation (JF) will organize performances and workshops by the folk song unit
MIKAGE PROJECT in Thailand and Malaysia.
Folk songs are music that originated among the common people and passed down to the present day. Rooted in people’s lives and nurtured in reflection of them, folk songs offer a glimpse of the rich local colors and lifestyles of different regions across a country. While the historical backgrounds differ between Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia, resulting in different ways of inheriting and developing folk songs, young artists in each country continue to cherish and sing them, carrying their spirit forward.For MIKAGE PROJECT, whose philosophy is to arrange modern renditions of folk songs from across Japan to convey their charm at home and abroad, this first overseas tour in Thailand and Malaysia will be an opportunity to deepen understanding of the allure, potential, and diversity of folk songs from Japan and these two countries through collaborations with Thai and Malay artists. In addition, as a chance to interact with youth who will carry music into the next 50 years, workshops will be held for university students majoring in music and others in each country, sending encouragement for the future through the medium of folk songs.
Thailand
Organizer The Japan Foundation
In cooperation with ALIVE Co., Ltd., Rasmee Isan Soul,
Mahasarakham University
Corporate support by Japan Airlines
Supported by Embassy of Japan in Thailand, Japanese Association in Thailand
MIKAGE PROJECT ASEAN TOUR 2023 in Thailand
| Date and time | Friday, October 20, 2023 6PM (Thailand Time) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Mahasarakham University https://inter.msu.ac.th/ |
| Artist | MIKAGE PROJECT |
| Ticket | Reservation required（FREE admission） For further details including ticket reservation, please refer to the Japan Foundation Bangkok’s website. https://ba.jpf.go.jp/en/mikage-project-2/ Reservation is available after September 25th |
"Minyo-Homeland Melodies" Demonstration and Workshop on Japanese Traditional Folk songs
| Date and time | Saturday, October 21, 2023 6PM (Thailand Time) |
|---|---|
| Venue | BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Centre) https://en.bacc.or.th/ |
| Artist | MIKAGE PROJECT |
| Ticket | Reservation recommended, limited walk-ins will be available (FREE admission) For further details including ticket reservation, please refer to the Japan Foundation Bangkok’s website. https://ba.jpf.go.jp/en/mikage-project-2/ Reservation is available after September 25th |
MIKAGE PROJECT ASEAN TOUR 2023 in Thailand with Rasmee Isan Soul
| Date and time | Sunday, October 22, 2023 6PM (Thailand Time) |
|---|---|
| Venue | LIDO CONNECT https://lidoconnect.com/ |
| Artist | MIKAGE PROJECT, Rasmee Isan Soul |
| Ticket | 160THB For further details including ticket purchasing method, please refer to the Japan Foundation Bangkok’s website. https://ba.jpf.go.jp/en/mikage-project-2/ Tickets will be on sale after September 25th |
Malaysia
Organizer The Japan Foundation
In cooperation with ALIVE Co., Ltd., Medulla Network,
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Corporate support by Japan Airlines
Supported by Embassy of Japan in Malaysia
MIKAGE PROJECT ASEAN TOUR 2023 in Malaysia with Asmidar
| Date and time | Tuesday, October 24, 2023 8:30PM (Malaysia Time) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) https://uitm.edu.my/index.php/en/ |
| Artist | MIKAGE PROJECT, Asmidar |
| Ticket | Closed event for students only |
MIKAGE PROJECT ASEAN TOUR 2023 in Malaysia with Asmidar
| Date and time | Wednesday, October 25, 2023 8PM (Malaysia Time) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) |
| Artist | MIKAGE PROJECT, Asmidar |
| Ticket | Reservation required (30 to 50 Ringgit) For further details including ticket sales, please refer to the Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur’s website. https://www.jfkl.org.my/events/mikage-project-asmidar/ |
Profiles
MIKAGE PROJECT
Formed in December 2020, MIKAGE PROJECT is a group of musicians who compose and arrange minyo folk songs of various regions with a contemporary sensibility, promoting their allure within Japan and abroad.
“MIKAGE” refers to the soul or spirit of gods and buddhas. The group’s foundational principle is to preserve the sonic spirits of our predecessors for future generations through folk songs from around the world. MIKAGE PROJECT consists of three talented members, each of whom has explored the potential of traditional Japanese instruments: SATO Kouki (shakuhachi, shinobue, ohayashi, percussion instruments), ASANO Sho (Tsugaru shamisen, vocals), and HONMA Takashi (25-string koto). Each member began learning their respective instrument under family tutelage from a young age and has achieved distinction in both domestic and international competitions.
Attracting attention for superb instrumental techniques and a style incorporating a broad range of musical genres, MIKAGE PROJECT appeared on NHK’s Minyo Damashii, a TV program about folk songs, less than a year after the group’s formation.
They released their first EP, MIKAGE PROJECT, in April 2021, followed by their second EP, NEO BUSHI, in May 2022, and their third EP, KeHaRe, in May 2023. With their unparalleled, refined sensibilities and harmonies, they are carving out a new niche for folk songs and drawing significant attention from the music industry.
Official Website https://mikageproject.com/
Rasmee Isan Soul
Rasmee is a singer and songwriter from the North East of Thailand (Isan). She began singing at the age of 5 with her father, the founder of a Jariang band (Khmer folk singing). At the age of 13, she joined a local band in her region. Her music is a unique blend of traditional Mor lam-Jariang cultures with western and African music. She calls her singing style “Isaan Soul”. Currently living in Chiang Mai, she has collaborated with various foreign musicians (Poni Hoax (France), Limousine (France), Bamako Express (Israel-Thailand), etc.) and has been invited to Europe to play music.
At the end of 2014, she started working with guitarist Satukan THYATIRA. As a result of that collaboration, in 2015, she released her first album "Isan Soul EP". In March 2016, Rasmee got 3 national "Kom Chad Luek" awards as best female singer of the year, best album "Isan Soul" and best song "Maya".
In December 2017, Rasmee released her second album - "Arom". In April 2018, the song "Little Girls" was nominated for Best Recording of the Year and Rasmee WAYRANA received the Best Female Artist of the Year award at Thai national "Season Awards".
In February 2019, she released the album "Roots", a side project with traditional Isan musician Nattapong NAPONG.
Official Website https://www.rasmeewayrana.com/
Asmidar
Born in 1986 and formerly known as Asmidar, her artistic journey began at the age of 12 when she was asked to record a traditional rhythm song titled Jasa Pak Tani. Being the first runner up of Bintang RTM, Asmidar debuted in 2001 and paved her way into the local industry as a classical musical entertainer. Graduated in Diploma Performing Arts Majoring in Music, Asmidar started exploring indie music and become a singer-songwriter in a band named The Moustache.
Following the footstep of her mother, Asmidar won Bintang Asli in 2006 and she realized that traditional music was the most euphonious sounds and beautiful she ever experienced. The journey of her career became even more exciting when she represented Malaysia for the World Championship of Performing Art in Los Angeles and succeeded to win three gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze medals in several categories. Asmidar once again proved herself when she is named champion in Vokal Bukan Sekadar Rupa with her new song Biar Mimpi Sampai Ke Bintang in 2011. Not only it is featured as the theme song for a television series, the song also made it to Muzik-Muzik semi-final 2012.
Asmidar believes that the uniqueness of Malay traditional sound is not to be forgotten and with passion and love, it should be celebrated until the end of time.
Official Website https://www.columbiamakes.jp/singer-asmidar/
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