“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
The enigmatic world mythology-imbued ensemble IANAI, led by seasoned musician Jaani Peuhu, set to release their debut album Sunir today. Together with the album release the band is unveiling a spectacular music video of the meditative but catchy track ‘Anaia’. The music video sees the protagonist walk between worlds while northern giants beat the drum, and guest starring on female vocals is Nicole Thomas, also known as the lead singer of the UK electronic outfit Client, who was happy to accept Peuhu’s invitation to sing.
“For me it was very spiritual almost magical to work on this song. It was interesting to me to enter this meditation like state to let the music flow through me and let my voice flow through the song. It somehow felt very pure and natural to sing this way, like it was just meant to be”, Thomas commented on her participation.
The music video can be found on Youtube at https://youtu.be/ixievkKAOY8
IANAI is currently preparing to take the band to the live arena, with the first show set for autumn. As with their music, the band’s stage presence will be otherworldly.
World prehistory is abundant with flood myths, from Chinese and Norse mythology to the first book of Moses, in which God decides to wipe out his entire creation, save for what species could travel aboard Noah’s ark. What was essentially destroyed by the Great Flood was the hybrid race of giants begotten by angels and humans – the Nephilim. The question remains, however, whether some of them actually survived.
It is against this backdrop that the story of IANAI begins. The multinational ensemble led by renowned musician Jaani Peuhu channels music given to them, sung in an ancient language. IANAI’s music is imbued with flavors from indigenous musical cultures around the globe and clothed in darkly hued indie moods, bringing to mind a hybrid between Sigur Ros and Dead Can Dance. Peuhu acts as a messenger between two worlds and IANAI is music carried from within through the ages. Now is the time to let the waking world hear it too.
From the first outset of the debut musical offering Sunir and the first single ‘Savoj Icoil’, IANAI abandons the typical notions of ice and frost in which it is depicted, and rather than desolation, offers a guiding force through the notes and words. While the physical manifestation of this album has been years in the making, IANAI decided to pierce the veil during a time when the world was imprisoned and suffering unimaginable loss.
As the album progresses, listeners transcend through the instrumentation of Scandinavia, Africa, Asia, Middle East and South America. And while IANAI walks a long path, winding through the earth, IANAI does not walk alone, but seeks to share and learn, collaborate and conceive, music and art. From celestial harmonies to earthly delights, IANAI’s music is a reflection of both the worldly and otherworldly. Channeled through the vessel of the spirit Trevenial, the music voices in tongues long forgotten, singing the songs of the sons of God and the daughters of men. In a language unspoken on this plane, yet unmistakable in its meaning, IANAI embodies the freedom we seek and the ability to achieve that fluidity.
In his music, IANAI is joined by a cohort of musicians from the world music scene and classical orchestras but also people from modern bands such as Massive Attack (UK), Client (UK), HIM (Finland), Sisters Of Mercy (UK), Theodor Bastard (Russia), Lord Of The Lost (Germany), Swallow the Sun (Finland) and Souvenir Season (Germany).
The album Sunir will be released on June 10th on Svart Records. The album is produced by Jaani Peuhu (Swallow The Sun, Iconcrash, Mercury Circle) and mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios (Ghost, Ulver, Paradise Lost).
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