PoiL & Ueda

This is a meeting and musical creation between an expanded version of the group PoiL, and Japanese artist Junko Ueda around popular epic tales from The Heike Epic, the third installment of a Japanese medieval classic.

The composition is based on the work of Junko Ueda and the tradition of sung narrative accompanied by the Satsuma Biwa. A first part is written around a shōmyō chant, “kujo shakujo,” a monodic ritual to ward off evil spirits, a second part recounts the naval battle of Dan-no-ura, and the third part is dedicated to Yoshitsune, a great samurai with a tragic fate.

A novel experience in which Poil’s wild, over-the-top experimental rock blends with Junko Ueda’s poised, sinuous voice, narrative power, and great charisma.