Calling Terje Isungset an innovative percussionist would leave you none the wiser as to what to expect from this Norwegian musician and composer whose background is steeped in jazz and traditional Scandinavian music. The journey he has taken goes far beyond any boundaries you may associate with such influences making his sound most assuredly unique in the truest sense of the word.
His bio describes him as more of a cross between a sound artist and a shaman but when you begin to appreciate how he incorporates surrounding elements into his music you begin to realise there is more than a hint of truth at play as he crafts instruments from arctic birch, granite, slate, sheep bells and even ice as he demonstrates on his latest video for Ocean Memories (our Song of the Day) on which he collaborated with Green Peace to send a message to the world.
“All of the video and the sounds/music are recorded in 10 degrees below Celsius, at location – under the friendly midnight sun of Spitsbergen. It has been an honor to collaborate with Greenpeace for giving focus to “our” oceans, and try to find a way of saving the unique life there.
“Many people have worked on this project. Thanks a lot to master ice carver Bill Covitz, thanks to the musicians Andreas Hesselberg Hatzikiriakidis, Åshild Brunvoll and Maria Dahlin. Thanks to all of the team at the Greenpeace boat – the people who are trying to make a change. Respect.
“Please do remember:
We do need Nature.
The Nature do not need us.”
Ocean Memories is available on all streaming services now.