Inspiration from the Eastern Front

Two new RBR releases remind us of the realities of human conflict and the creative tensions that can result. Ukraine continues to defend the war of agression from the east. Farther north, Finland is at peace but also shares a long border with Russia. Two artists living in these countries continue to make challenging music.

Tungu, a.k.a. Sergiy Senchuk, lives in Chernihiv, Ukraine, an early target of the Russian invasion. He’s an experimentalist and master of collaboration. He’s produced a mind-bending collection of 14 improvisations, each with a different partner from around the world. It’s called “Lack of Worldview as a Tribute to Everyday Life.” Contributors include Henry Kaiser, Martin Tétreault, Rieko Okuda, Giulio Aldinucchi, Richard Comte, Charles K.Noyes, Ergo Phizmiz, Milana Saruhanyan, Greg Kelley, Al Margolis, Viv Corringham, Wilbert de Joode, Michael Pedersen, and our own Bill Horist.

Tungu entered the experimental music by way of hardcore, metal and noise bands and, eventually started experimenting with with cut tape, field recordings and samples. He’s a musical chameleon who draws out the unique talents of his partners, and he’s produced a bold and beguiling playlist.

Heikki Ruokangas is a prolific guitarist from Oulu, Finland. He’s also known for widely diverse collaborations across borders. While Heikki holds his own with an electric guitar on any stage, he’s also embraced acoustic music. His newest album is a live acoustic set from last year’s New York Forward Festival. The recording reveals the raw energy of a rising talent in improvised music.

We are proud to include these fine records in our catalogue, and appreciate the creative energies behind them.

Learn more about Heikki here, and listen to “Live in New York” on Bandcamp.

Learn more about Tungu here, and listen to “Lack of Worldview” on Bandcamp.