Violinist, composer, ethnomusicologist TUOMAS ROUNAKARI has posted online a performance video clip, a throwback to Tokyo 2017 gig at Liquid Room, from the materials of ‘Live in Japan‘ documentary by Kimmo Kuusniemi.
Tuomas adds: “Fantastic crowd! Although they often try to clap in steady 4/4 over my odd time measures. In Tokyo they at least noticed that it does not fit and showed their enthusiasm in other ways 😀
This tune is called Hiisi. It used to mean a sacred site. But the church changed the meaning into something devilish, a giant or an ill-witted gobling.”
Watch the video here:
Just recently Tuomas revealed more on his inspirations and research behind the upcoming “Bear Awakener” album.
The first episode tells about the first explorers in Siberia from the 17th century onwards and what made the Finnish explorers different from others. The second episode gives an example of archive studies and what makes the archived materials inspiring. In the middle of it all we learn about bear related myths and ceremonies of the indigenous Khanty and Mansi people as well as the pre-christian Finns.
Before Christmass there will be a chance to hear an actual wax cylinder recording from 1905. An example of an original Bear Awakening song. The channel naturally has his original music as well and more music will be uploaded in near future.
Episode 1 – https://youtu.be/abn5U0cm0Do
Episode 2 – https://youtu.be/0SfDwa6Cyc4
Pre-Order the Bear Awakener album: https://igg.me/at/bearawakener
Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCliVnARlDv2Y3ykBo_YFlRA
TUOMAS ROUNAKARI’s “Bear Awakener” crowdfunding campaign reached its goal in less than 12 hours! Watch crowdfunding video, telling more details about “Bear Awakener” and its meaning, the video can be seen at https://igg.me/at/bearawakener.
Planned release date of “Bear Awakener” is on March 13th 2022! According to an ancient Finnish bear calendar this date marked the end of winter hibernation and awakening of the bears. The crowdfunding runs until January 2th, 2022, here: https://igg.me/at/bearawakener
Also watch
-Tuomas unboxing the unique Bear Amulets, created by a shamanic artist Angela Bazaron: https://www.facebook.com/shamanviolin/videos/278449967500776
-1st teaser for “Bear Awakener”: https://www.facebook.com/shamanviolin/videos/285653149947539
What is “Bear Awakener”?
The name Bear Awakener comes from specific songs sung in order to awaken the bear. This album dives deep into the bear myths and is designed to re-awaken or cherish anyones connection with this mythical entity.
The myth of a bear’s origin is identical among the Finns and the indigenous Khanty and Mansi people. Both cultures run ceremonial Bear feasts that last several days. Many songs, dances and plays are performed in honor of the bear. Tuomas Rounakari has studied the bear feast songs of all of these cultures. There are thousands of verses containing bear related myths in the vast archives of Finland and the tradition is now returning among the Khanty and Mansi.
TUOMAS ROUNAKARI is an internationally acclaimed violinist, composer and ethnomusicologist from Finland. He is a one-man-band blending violin, vocals and stomping with ankle-bells. In his performance he enters various trance-states. In this album he will also be playing a traditional Khanty instrument called Ning-juh.
Tuomas is inspired by different forms of dialogue; man and nature, the seen and the unseen world, ancient and future. His first solo album Shamanviolin was a result of ethnomusicological studies of the earliest 20th century wax-cylinder recordings from Siberia. These studies have also led to many collaborations with indigenous artists. He is one of the few artists who have actually returned their art to native communities for evaluation and development.
Have a look at the Online concert from Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 2020. Shamanviolin at Pauanne is a full-length online concert produced by the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 2020. The concert was filmed at the magical Pauanne where a community of folk musicians and folk healers used to live in the 1980’s. All buildings are fully hand made with many mythological decorations. The place has unfortunately decayed without much needed preservation. This Shamanviolin concert ends with lament melodies in a burnt down sauna. The magic and unique beauty of this place is still strong. A perfect environment for my music.
Watch here and sign up to his newsletter at https://rounakari.com/watch-full-video-for-free/
Watch the videos
‘Farewell of Kamas People’ – https://youtu.be/oV16Qipd0MQ
‘Langetus’ – https://youtu.be/HVsU7PTqqHY
More information at
TUOMAS ROUNAKARI: http://www.rounakari.com | http://www.facebook.com/shamanviolin
MANAGEMENT: https://www.facebook.com/SplitScreenManagement | http://www.splitscreen-management.com
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 