Interview – Hanggai
Links: WOMAD
Beijing-based Mongolian throat-singing folk/rock/metal outfit Hanggai returned to WOMAD for a third time this Friday night. Heckler sat down with band member Ayalguu to talk about Metallica, laughter, and the importance of world music.
What’s the significance of the name ‘Hanggai’?
‘Hanggai’ is sort of a place name. Mountain, forest, grassland, river, lake – all together is called Hanggai. It’s kind of a heaven.
How do you throat-sing the way you do?
It is a traditional singing, from the West part of Mongolia. There are two kinds of throat-singing, one from Tuva and one from Mongolia.
Do you use the Tuvan style at all?
No, they are a bit different. From Tuva it is more softly, while from Mongolia it is much better for a stage, much more power.
Your music is part folk and part punk, yes?
Yes.
Which do you think is more important to your music, folk or punk?
*laughs* It’s not about which side is more important. Folk is about celebrating times – we grew up in that area, in Mongolia. Then we studied. We all have a background in rock music, and have changed since our band started in 2004 – folk and rock together is just how we are feeling now. And in our hometown, traditions start to be destroyed, so young people need to save our culture. Rock is good for that.
What are your favourite bands?
My favourite band? Metallica. The lead singer (Ilchi) likes AC/DC.
What do you like about WOMADelaide?
WOMAD’s great. We’ve met people from around the world, from many different countries, and can learn from musicians around the world. It has a festival culture, another kind of culture.
You have a lot of energy on stage. Do you think emotion is an important part of what you do?
Putting emotion in is important for the audience. They may not understand what we are singing, but they can understand what we are singing about, if we show our emotions, and learn about the Mongolian people that way.
You talk about serious things, but you have a lot of laughter in your performance too. Do you think laughter is important?
Yes. Laughter is good because you prove you are not an angry man.
Hanggai play again at 1pm on Stage 2. Their new album Baifang is out now.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjRskDUq_eM#t=0&w=300]
