Global Sounds on the Hill Featuring ALASH, Masters of Tuvan Throat Singing
“Utterly stunning…audience members picked their jaws up off the floor.”
– The Washington Post
Curated and hosted by iconic DC impressario and musician Jim Thomson
ALASH are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this trio from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but its overall sound and spirit remain decidedly Tuvan. Trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood, the Alash musicians studied at Kyzyl Arts College just as Tuva was beginning to open up to the West. They formed a traditional ensemble and won multiple awards for traditional throat singing in international xöömei competitions, both as an ensemble and as individuals. At the same time, they paid close attention to new trends coming out of the West. They have borrowed new ideas that mesh well with the sound and feel of traditional Tuvan music, but they have never sacrificed the integrity of their own heritage in an effort to make their music more hip. Alash first toured the U.S. under the sponsorship of the Open World Leadership program of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then they have returned many times, to the delight of American audiences. ALASH has twice performed at Hill Center — two of the most singular, electric and enthralling concerts we’ve ever presented. This will sell out, so purchase your tickets early.
About Jim Thomson: Jim Thomson is an independent DIY music producer based in Washington DC who specializes in booking, live music production, artist management, DJ events, and record releases. In Washington DC he operates an ongoing live music series called Secret Planet DC that partners with various venues, foundations, and musicians all across the city to produce unique, intimate, and meaningful performances. He also owns and operates the Washington, DC-based boutique record label Electric Cowbell Records as well as holding down and curating all vinyl DJ residencies at The Green Zone, Cana, La Shukran, Daikaya, Le Mont Royal, Eaton Hotel, the DC Record Fair, and other bars and restaurants in the city.
Jim is also a lifelong musician and promoter, playing drums as a founding member of GWAR, The Alter-Natives (SST Records), Bio Ritmo, CSC Funk Band, Time Is Fire, and he currently plays drums and percussion with Motherf*ckers JMB & Co with Geologist from Animal Collective. One of the first concerts he co-promoted was a Bad Brains show in Richmond, Virginia in 1987 followed by years of concerts including surf guitar legend Dick Dale, Knitting Factory tours, Marc Ribot, Charles Gayle, Negativland, Medeski, Martin, and Wood, and many others.
