JAMBINAI: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Bob Boilen | July 9, 2021
I don't think I've ever used the word "fierce" to describe a Tiny Desk, but that's precisely what JAMBINAI has created in this (home) concert. The show begins in front of a massive recreation of my desk and what happens next ... well, no spoilers here. Filmed in an immersive media art museum created by an organization known as d'strict on Jeju Island, this Korean band contains multitudes. At its heart, JAMBINAI's music mixes elements of metal, noise and Korean tradition. There's full-on distorted guitar, bass and drums, but also a haegeum (a fiddle-like instrument), a piri (a type of flute), a taepyeongso (a reed instrument) and a most appropriately named instrument, a geomungo (a giant Korean zither). We also hear some delicate vocals in the mix.

The two pieces performed here include 2015's "Time of Extinction" and the more recent and epic "ONDA." I last saw JAMBINAI on two consecutive nights at SXSW in 2014 and then again at the 2021 virtual festival. It reminded me of their intensity and originality, and I look forward to the day when they come and play a more modest, tinier desk and, perhaps, shake the shelves.

SET LIST
"Time Of Extinction"
"ONDA"

MUSICIANS
Ilwoo Lee: guitar, piri, taepyeongso, saenghwang, vocals
Bomi Kim: haegeum, vocals
Eunyong Sim: geomungo, vocals
Byeongkoo Yu: bass, chorus
Jaehyuk Choi: drums, chorus

CREDITS
Director: Jinho Park
Producer: Hyunggun Kim (The Tell-Tale Heart)
Video Production: DEEPCUT
D.O.P: Hanhee Cho
Production Assistant: Younggyun Lee
Audio Recording: Minjae Lee (ssplworkz)
Audio Mixed and Mastered: Sanghyun Cho (M.O.L STUDIOS)
Media Art Installation: d'strict
Special thanks to Stella Heesun Suh (KOCCA), Victor Eun Suk Choe (d'strict), Yunjung Yeum (d'strict), Sangwoo Lee (d'strict)

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bob Boilen
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mastering: Andy Huether
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Kara Frame, Josh Rogosin, Gabrielle Pierre
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #jambinai

[lantuin]

One of the most interesting band in the last years

[patturnweaver]

hopefully jambinai gets more recognition. what they have achieved it deserving of the highest respect - genuine artistry full of soul and character that is inspired by korean sensibilities. they are very special

[애니-po]

잠비나이 공연은 언제 들어도 감동입니다~
우리나라의 자랑입니다~
더많이 전세계에 알려줬으면 합니다~!!!

[zachmiller]

I saw them at Coachella and they were awesome . Great unique sound. Mixture of traditional Korean sounds with modern post rock sounds. So many great unique music coming out of S. Korea these days. And I'm not talking about K-Pop. There are many great non-KPop artists coming out of Korea.

[ritual]

Holy smokes. _Jambinai_ on Tiny Desk!? Been following them for a quite a while and feel they totally deserve more exposure. They are fantastic musicians. This makes me so happy for them:)
Thanks Tiny Desk!

[unchartedpassions]

If these guys are playing near you, do not hesitate! One of the most intense live music experience I've had! Bring earplugs and enjoy the awe 🤘

[mrywmxg]

슈퍼밴드2 박다울팀영상에서 댓글로 추천받고 왔는데...
우리나라 좀 미친것같음..천재들이 왜이리많음..
싱싱밴드이후 또이런 충격을 받네.
이정도실력인데 사람들이 잘모른다는건 확실히 한국음악생태계가 문제있는거같네요..
인디씬에 진짜 응원이 많이필요한거같음..
잠비나이같은팀이 잘되야 제2 제3의 박다올같은 아티스트가 나올수있는데..

[AndreMitchellTV]

I think the set design need to win Tiny Desk Design of The Year. I was amazed how perfect it went with the style of music and the Tiny Desk background was Awesome.

[cooldebt]

I love how npr is bringing us music from all around the world at a time when we can’t travel. Not only that, we are seeing music which is just music - no need for genre or labels. Just pure creativity and skilled performance. What a privilege for our ears (and eyes). Thank you!

[TheKatieLea]

I don't know what I just listened to but now I'm looking for more of it

[michaelkutulas]

Wow!... I mean... just WOW!!! That was WAY more than music!!!

[tsalvengi-jangpersimmon]

잠비나이라니... 랙앤플레이에서 영상만들었을 때가 10년도 넘었을 거 같은데 그 영상도 어마어마 했는데, 이젠 타이니데스크에서도 보게 되네. 영광입니다 ㅠㅠ

[matth]

Sign this band to a film score. Un-real dynamic, colour and range! Peace from Canada.

[김종대-es]

예전 씽씽밴드 이후로 구독 해놓고 있었는데, 이렇게 또 좋은 그룹을 알게 되네요.
연주 너무 좋아요!

[deeliciousplum]

If anyone heard or was startled by a loud crashing noise, please, do not be alarmed. That was my lower jaw falling with such speed and hitting my dusty room's wooden floor. Wow! This is the first time that I have listened to JAMBINAI. I am in a complete state of awe. 🌸

[MrVinB]

Saw these guys live a couple of years ago in Eindhoven, they are so talented! Nice to see them get more recognition

[cuttestpomeraniansimbafrie]

Korean Traditional music blended with modern music at its best... so unique and precious and just so entertaining most of all.

[NicoVerhaegen]

I saw these guys live in Brussels a few years back and they're incredibly talented. So pure

[entpentp]

‘Onda’ means ‘Wave’ in Italian. I was in the bigbig wave. Whoa!

[summertime]

I'm a big fan of Jambinai but wouldn't expect to see them here.
I'm so moved n proud of them~~ㅠㅠ