Hatis Noit’s strange, spiritual lullabies are steeped in mysticism. It makes sense: the Japanese singer fell in love with music during a mountain trek through Nepal, where she stumbled across a female monk singing ancient Buddhist chants. It doesn’t really get more mystical than that. “The sound moved me so intensely, I was suddenly aware of the power of the human voice,” she tells Huck. “It was so primal. I knew then I wanted to sing and feel that visceral connection myself.”
Noit, who hails from Shiretoko in north Japan, was only 16 when she heard the chants – but it was old enough for her to make a plan. Learning from opera singers, old Gregorian chanting and avant-garde vocalists, she began to teach herself to sing; creating an accomplished and ethereal sense of her own style in the process.
These sounds have now been shared with the world thanks to her new EP, Illogical Dance (released last week). The record – which was co-produced by Haruhisa Tanaka and Björk collaborator Matmos – aims to step into the listener’s subconscious, introducing them to a more magical, transcendental way of relating to sound.
For the latest Monday Mix, Noit reveals some of the influences that helped her reach that same point personally. “I ended up digging up lots of old music I haven’t listened to for a long time for this mix, so it has some nice memories for me from when I first started making music on my own,” she says. “I love music which makes us feel its player’s body. When I sing, I try to feel my whole body, because any sounds, emotions and memory, which is the source of my music, comes from my body. Physicality is quite important for music for me.” Listen below:
Masayasu Tzboguchi – ‘Trio Jigzoo Ballad’
Mujika Easel – ‘To be sure, it exists’
Astor Piazzolla – ‘Milonga De La Anunciación’
菊地成孔 (Naruyoshi Kikuchi) – ‘ルペ・ベレスの葬儀’
Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld – ‘The Rest of Us’
Hatis Noit – ‘Angelus Novus’
Hatis Noit’s Illogical Dance EP is out now.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck

Amid tensions in Eastern Europe, young Latvians are reviving their country’s folk rhythms
Spaces Between the Beats — The Baltic nation’s ancient melodies have long been a symbol of resistance, but as Russia’s war with Ukraine rages on, new generations of singers and dancers are taking them to the mainstream.
Written by: Jack Styler

Uwade: “I was determined to transcend popular opinion”
What Made Me — In this series, we ask artists and rebels about the about the forces and experiences that shaped who they are. Today, it’s Nigerian-born, South Carolina-raised indie-soul singer Uwade.
Written by: Uwade

Inside the obscured, closeted habitats of Britain’s exotic pets
“I have a few animals...” — For his new series, photographer Jonty Clark went behind closed doors to meet rare animal owners, finding ethical grey areas and close bonds.
Written by: Hannah Bentley

Frazer Clarke: “I had a hole in my leg, I’m very lucky to be alive”
Hard Feelings — For our interview column on masculinity and fatherhood, the Olympic boxing medallist speaks to Robert Kazandjian about hard graft, the fear and triumph of his first fight, and returning to the ring after being stabbed on a night out.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian

Remembering Holly Woodlawn, Andy Warhol muse and trans trailblazer
Love You Madly — A new book explores the actress’s rollercoaster life and story, who helped inspire Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the Wild Side’.
Written by: Miss Rosen

This photographer picked up 1,000 weed baggies in New York and documented them
0.125OZ — Since originally stumbling across a discarded bag in Brooklyn, Vincent ”Streetadelic” Pflieger has amassed a huge archive of marijuana packaging, while inadvertently capturing a moment as cannabis went from an illicit, underground drug to big business.
Written by: Isaac Muk