JOHANNA SULKUNEN - Drifting along with sound

CLOT Magazine

The next instalment of our Mixtape series comes by Johanna Sulkunen, a Finnish experimental vocalist, composer & improviser based in Copenhagen. A mix of minimalistic sounds combined with vocal compositions to welcome the spring season. For Johanna, the symbiosis of vocals and electronics have been at the centre of her career. A frequent collaborator with iconic jazz & improv musicians such as Tomasz Stanko, Axel Dörner, Koichi Makigami and originally labelled as an exciting voice on the alternative jazz scene, Sulkunen has expanded her range from jazz and alternative pop to free improvisation, electronic music and avant-garde. Only a few months ago, Johanna release Terra, a collection of tracks where the artist invokes imaginary landscapes with her voice, electronics and a stellar ensemble. Terra also represents the second part of her trilogy with the solo project Sonority, in Terra Finnish experimental vocalist creates a global vision while being trapped in Copenhagen, and invites the listener to question our modern life and its often destructive relation to nature. On Terra, she continues the work with Zen Buddhism and the koan as in her first release with her solo project, as well as her own lyrics, but she expands her musical space considerably and explores the transformation of the vocal language into instruments such as strings, horns and drums, letting the qualities of texts lead to the result. For this mixtape, she's selected a mixture of very minimalistic sound compositions, some vocal works, and some more ‘embracing’ with strings and electronics: I think it intrigues you to listen to the details and allows you to let go of thinking and drift along with sound. I’ve been preparing the mix while sitting on a tour bus (or more of a tiny, totally packed car) and taking my own time between the concerts sitting alone with my headphones. Tracklist: 1. HYbr:ID Oval Hadron / Alva Noto 2. A HOUSE A DANCE A POEM / Félicia Atkinson 3. III The Body Entire / Johanna Elina Sulkunen 4. VII Abide / Johanna Elina Sulkunen 5. 1 / Mads Emil Nielsen & Andrea Neumann 6. IV Shosen / johanna Elina Sulkunen 7. X Hiemal / Johanna Elina Sulkunen 8. End Of Summer Part 2 / Johann Johansson with Hildur Gudnadottir, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe