INDEX
Traditional Music Without Being Bound by Tradition
You are coming to Japan with your new project, OBSG. Could you tell us about the concept of this project?
Lee Heemoon: The concept of OBSG is “Heung” (흥). In Chinese characters, it is written as “興,” and it means something like excitement or high energy. The concept of OBSG is to “create something that gets people excited.”
Osawa: I’d like to ask a question as well. How do you approach arranging the music for OBSG?
Lee Heemoon: I leave that to the band master, Sonteck.
Noh Seon-teck: I’m the one who decides which rhythms to apply and other aspects like that. However, I don’t impose these arrangements on the members; it’s a collaborative process where we all contribute to creating the final product.
Are there any difficulties in arranging traditional music?
Noh Seon-teck: I don’t find it particularly difficult. Arranging traditional music is unprecedented, so we have to create our own recipe from scratch. If the members of OBSG are the ingredients, my role is to create an environment where we can perform seamlessly while highlighting each member’s unique qualities.
Osawa, you also handle arrangements for the Minyo Crusaders. Do you find it challenging?
Osawa: I don’t find it particularly difficult. I don’t treat traditional music any differently; I approach all music with a flat perspective.
Noh Seon-teck: I feel the same way.
So, what do you find appealing about Heemoon as a vocalist?
Noh Seon-teck: Heemoon’s singing is incredibly delicate, and his vibrato is very precise. It’s something you can’t edit or adjust after recording. That puts a lot of pressure on me, so I make sure to record in a way that preserves as much of Heemoon’s energy as possible. Many Kyeonggi folk singers are at a high level, but I’d compare Heemoon to Lionel Messi in that context.
The Messi of Kyeonggi folk music! That’s a very clear comparison.
Noh Seon-teck: Yes, Heemoon’s musical environment growing up was quite exceptional. His mother was an outstanding singer, and he was surrounded by singers and musicians. People like Heemoon are quite rare.
What can we expect from the upcoming performance in Japan?
Lee Heemoon: (In Japanese) I think it’s going to be incredibly exciting [laughs], and I’m looking forward to showcasing how incredible each of OBSG member is.
Noh Seon-teck: We want to go completely crazy together. If the audience gets crazy, we’ll get even crazier! [laughs]
That sounds amazing. We talked about folk music and tradition, but in the end, having fun together is what matters most.
OBSG & Folk Song Crusaders: [Everyone does a fist pump]
Tanaka: It would be great if someday we could tour across Asia with Hee-moon and the others.
Lee Heemoon: That sounds wonderful. Let’s make it happen!
OBSG Japan Tour 2024
September 15, 2024 (Sunday) Toyota, Aichi: Hashi no Shita Sekai Ongakusai – SOUL BEAT ASIA 2024
September 17, 2024 (Tuesday) Tokyo, Shibuya: AJIMI & microAction presents ‘OBSG Live in Tokyo 2024’
- Venue: Shibuya WWW
- Time: Doors open at 18:00 / Show starts at 19:00
- Tickets: ¥6,500 in advance / ¥7,500 at the door (tax included, drinks not included)
Performers:
- LIVE: OBSG
- OPENING: Rakugo by Hayashiya Anko, DJ Oishi Hajime
Tickets: Peatix https://obsg2024.peatix.com, e+ Organized by: Ewon Art Factory Planning & Production: AJIMI, microAction, LEEHEEMOON COMPANY Supported by: Hashi no Shita Sekai Ongakusai Executive Committee Sponsored by: au Smart Pass Premium Special Site: https://lit.link/obsg2024
