Natural High: Sainkho Namtchylak

There is music, and there are many other things.
Among these many other things, there is Sainkho.

First experience with her is far beyond what could be called a musical one. Natural reaction while hearing her songs is a mixed baggage of astonishment, amusement and joy. Her music is in the border, sometimes difficult to hear, sometimes wonderful. All in the same song. You could be loving her for what you hear in one second, and wanting to cover your ears with your hands in the next one, just because it's too much.

Let's start from the beginning. Sainkho was born in Tuva, an autonomous Russian republic north of Mongolia and south of Siberia. That's far away, from an occidental perspective. You could say that literally and metaphorically. Tuva is not famous worldwide for many things, although they are known as one of the main regions where throat singing is more popular. That was the influence that marked her musical roots and set the base for her singing and composition style.

While studying in Moscow, and also after graduation, she was influenced by other music forms, like jazz and classical, that helped her to craft the blend of styles she has shown later on each one of her multiple albums.
She lives actually in Vienna, and periodically releases new records which normally have two things in common: her tuvan roots and an unclassifiable mix of styles both in her singing and in her compositions.

"Stepmother city", released in 2002, is probably her most accessible (easy to listen) album. "Dance of eagle", as its opening song (after a short instrumental introduction) is a good example of how listening to her can show you that not everything has been written yet when we talk about music styles.
Pay attention to the rather "strange" sounds you hear along the song. This is Sainkho doing her well known throat singing.

Enjoy!