iSound

The unique Japanese female trio RinMana, Tomoca and Chiewas formed in 2003 after its three members graduated from Tokyos esteemed National University of Fine Arts and Music. The essence of their ethereal, atmospheric sonic tapestry is to fluidly combine the exotic and subtle sounds of traditional Japanese instruments with a contrasting framework of contemporary western popular music. We are interested, say the lovely ladies of Rin, in making Japanese music accessible to the American ear. The thousand year spirit in our instruments has a soul that needs to be heard. With their U.S. debut album Inland Sea on Domo Records, Rin unleashes that spirit with beauty, drama and naturally graceful pop sensibilities. In a similar vein to the cinematic, ambient techno of Zero 7--whose acclaimed albums Simple Things (01) and When It Falls (04) also delicately layer ephemeral soundscapes with mesmerizing vocalsRins music evokes a dream-state that is both soothing and radiant. When fa...