Joan Belec, from left, Tasha, Nicky Juanite and Douglas Hayes pose collectively at Sanroke Home in western Seoul, Dec. 8. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Think about throwing a bunch of artistic folks collectively in a single place and giving them at some point to give you as many songs as they will.
Korean artist Park Yeon-gyung, who goes by Tasha, needed to see what this may be like.
She put collectively such an occasion, modeled on what the Okay-pop world calls a “tune camp,” bringing collectively music trade professionals — together with songwriters, lyricists, producers, and instrumentalists — for a brief, intensive artistic workshop. Contributors churn out dozens, possibly even tons of, of tune demos, hoping that even one will promote and be produced right into a commercially launched tune. This high-pressure ambiance is aggressive, costly and sometimes described with numerous stress moderately than pleasure.
As a substitute of totally adopting the trade mannequin, Tasha determined to give attention to artistic inspiration, heat and human connection.
“After I heard Okay-pop firms speak about tune camps, they made it sound so tense,” Tasha informed The Korea Occasions. “However for me, it sounded romantic. Musicians coming collectively from all around the world, making music, sleeping and consuming collectively, it appeared enjoyable.”
Working with skilled producers, she opened purposes, listened to numerous submissions and chosen a proficient group of musicians to affix Songcamp.
Tasha doesn’t think about herself a music skilled, solely a music lover, however she is aware of construct a neighborhood and create the precise ambiance.
“We keep in a single home for twenty-four hours. So crucial factor is nice meals; I all the time imagine good meals makes a superb ambiance. I ready breakfast, lunch and dinner so everyone could possibly be completely satisfied,” she stated.
Twenty-one Korean and worldwide musicians and producers from numerous genres, together with assist workers, participated within the 24-hour Songcamp session on Nov. 23.
Sanroke Home operator Joan Belec, a French artist, music producer, sound engineer and drummer, hosted the occasion at Sanroke Home, a hostel close to western Seoul’s Hongik College.
“I all the time heard about these tune camps taking place within the music trade,” he stated. “However it is advisable to have reached a sure stage to go to such an occasion. As a result of you must be invited, it isn’t accessible to everyone. Tasha’s imaginative and prescient was to recreate the idea however with out the strain, one thing extra community-like, pleasant and welcoming. I instantly embraced the concept.”
Preparations started six weeks prematurely. Belec took cost of reworking the house: putting in small recording studios in six rooms throughout three flooring.
“The ambiance was energizing from the beginning,” he stated. “All people was so desperate to work. They even began one hour earlier than scheduled. No strain, no competitors, simply music and enjoyable. And it labored. All people was completely satisfied. It was nice. It went surprisingly nicely.”
Music creatives collect for Songcamp at Sanroke Home in western Seoul, Nov. 23. Courtesy of Joan Belec
American musician Douglas Hayes, one of many international members, has 43 years of expertise taking part in and writing songs. After shifting to Korea in 2023, his connections to the native music trade deepened when he met Tasha. Their assembly sparked the concept for organizing Songcamp.
Regardless of being the oldest Songcamp participant, he was additionally probably the most tireless, working via the night time to construct melodies, riffs and lyrics with unwavering enthusiasm.
Hayes contributed a number of works in the course of the session. One of many songs he labored on is a ballad paying homage to Okay-drama soundtracks, heat and emotional. One other observe leans towards a rock-hip-hop fusion, mixing his roots with trendy Okay-pop influences.
“I’ve written rock most of my life, but additionally jazz, R&B and even hip-hop,” he stated. “Creating music is simply second nature to me. Even in the course of the tune camp, I laid down some tracks for a hip-hop tune. It’s one thing I’ve all the time accomplished. It simply comes simply. And I nonetheless like it.”
One other international participant was Nicky Juanite from the Philippines. In addition to a songwriter, she is a multi-instrumentalist, performer and creator whose work spans genres, cultures and kinds. She earned a bachelor’s diploma at Seoul Nationwide College, and later a grasp’s diploma in Korean music composition on the Korea Nationwide College of Arts. In addition to being a assured performer on the “gayageum,” a Korean conventional zither, she is a member of the native people band Honey Jam Sam, a pianist for an improvisational theater group and a present producer for occasions at Taco Amigo.
When requested what sort of music she creates, Juanite stated she has met many individuals residing in Korea who wrestle to precise their feelings. By her music, she needs to supply listeners with the language and the house to really feel understood.
“I write within the second, responding to what life gives. The songs draw from my private experiences, however they’re formed by a deeper mission as nicely. My motto is that artists are storytellers of empathy. I write to assist folks perceive what they’re feeling inside,” she stated.
“We’re all damaged inside, all confused. However artists are courageous sufficient to precise what others can’t. When folks hear a tune that displays their feelings, they really feel much less alone.”
Music creatives collect for Songcamp at Sanroke Home in western Seoul, Nov. 23. Courtesy of Joan Belec
Tasha admitted she hadn’t began out with excessive expectations for Songcamp, questioning how strangers may collect collectively and make music after only some hours. However the outcomes shocked her.
“Each session, once we performed the music on the listening celebration, we had been so stunned,” she stated. “The music high quality was so good, higher than I ever imagined. In whole, the camp produced 16 new tracks, and 10 of them will likely be carried out dwell at our upcoming occasion.”
The songs will likely be offered for the primary time to the general public at a showcase celebration this Saturday at Tiamonyong Studio in western Seoul, near Jeungsan Station on Seoul Metro Line 6. The occasion is free, however donations are welcome. Comply with @artlifeoft on Instagram for extra data.
Tasha has despatched out invites to producers, Okay-pop firm house owners, dancers and different trade professionals, hoping the camp can spark future collaborations. “If we will promote even one tune, that’s nice,” she stated.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian picture artist, social activist and author based mostly in Seoul. He’s additionally the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Company.
