These days, it feels as though K-pop music is taking over the world, but one band from South Korea is ready to introduce fans in the region to a fresh new sound.
In collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre in the UAE, sEODo Band will make their Middle East debut with an online performance at The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The six-member group, consisting of vocalist Seodo, guitarist Yeon Tae-hee, percussionist Park Jin-byeong, keyboardist Kim Seong-hyun, drummer Yang Jung-hoon and bassist Kim Tae-joo, specialise in a newer genre called Chosun pop.
But what does that actually sound like?
Chosun pop, says vocalist Seodo, is a combination of the music style from the time of the Korean Joseon dynasty and pop, "the unique genre that sEODo Band have created". The group aim to "make traditional music a type of popular music that all audiences can enjoy".
“Based on the stories, rhythms and melodies of traditional music, we intend to present a fresh and unrivalled genre with a mixture of pop elements.”
He goes on to explain that the group use existing music forms, such as pop, blues and jazz, and add traditional Korean instruments to create their unique sound.
Seodo says that when he was young, he specialised in pansori, a traditional genre of Korean musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer. However, it all came together after he studied practical music at university, when he discovered how the two could naturally mix and match to form a distinct new sound.
Fans who tune into the online show are likely to hear songs from sEODo Band's recently released EP Moon: Disentangle, which came out in June and consists of five songs showcasing that musical fusion.
“Through the online concert, you can experience all the different shades of sEODo Band – from music that features Korean traditional songs to western pop-style songs,” Seodo says.
Although the group won’t be in Abu Dhabi for an in-person performance, they are still appreciative of the opportunity to perform for fans, hoping to introduce them to something they haven’t heard before.
“I feel so thankful that audiences in the UAE are interested in Chosun pop, which is a new music genre,” says Seodo. “For us, we just really appreciate it when our audience enjoys our music.”
sEODo Band will perform on Wednesday, November 10 at 8pm. Tickets are free but registration is required. More information is available at nyuad-artscenter.org
