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.
You might like
American Football: The One With The Feelings
Many moons — The Midwest emo architects transformed a college experiment into a coming-of-age soundtrack. 25 years on, their latest iteration sees them bottle the same magic for the ups and downs of middle life.
Written by: Tracy Kawalik
Joe James: “I will never be absent in my children’s lives because I know it doesn’t feel nice”
Hard Feelings — As the silky MC prepares to release his debut album ‘The Ends Never Ends’, he joins our column on fatherhood and masculinity to discuss leaving his childhood home at 16, the manosphere and his risk-embracing approach to life.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Analogue Appreciation: mary in the junkyard
Role Model Hermit — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s art rock fabulists mary in the junkyard.
Written by: mary in the junkyard
The intricate, clandestine art of Japan’s traditional tattoos
Irezumi — Having emerged during the Edo Period centuries ago, inking skin has long been associated the country’s working class, and particularly Yakuza. A new book by Manami Okazaki explores the history and deep meaning of the practice, as well as the horishi who dedicate their lives to the needle.
Written by: Isaac Muk
New exhibition spotlights the ongoing impact of Japanese Women Photographers
1950s to Now — Taking place at The Photographers’ Gallery in London, it showcases work by 27 artists from the past seven decades including Mikiko Hara, Yurie Nagashima and Mao Ishikawa.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Kibo’s compendium of Kwengletarianism
Kwengletaria:Ragamyff — As UK rap’s latest prodigious MC announces his most ambitious project to date, Rob Kazandjian spends time with Kibo in a north London pub to chat about his rise, as well as the inspirations and ideologies underpinning his music.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
