In Conversation with... Michael Ormiston (featuring Candida Valentino) Khöömii (overtone) singing

Michael Ormiston is one of the only non-Mongolians able to sing Khöömii a type of overtone singing. He tells us what it means to him...

For more information on Michael and Candida and other Khöömii singers please go to:
http://www.soundtransformations.btinternet.co.uk

Performance recorded at a Alternatives event:
http://www.alternatives.org.uk/

Workshop recorded at a Singing Knives event:
http://singingknivesrecords.co.uk/

Camera
Harry Wheeler
Violaine Bergoin
Rick Neylan

Produced by
Harry Wheeler

http://harmonicrooms.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Michael
• Ormiston
• In
• Conversation
• Mongolian
• Khöömii
• (overtone)
• singing
• Harry
• Wheeler
• Violaine
• Bergoine
• Candida
• Valentino
• Throat

[achbold]

Since I can't sing like this, I probably shouldn't say much. But I hate it when foreigners do this. Boutique multiculturalists. These songs are about the land, the people, and the horses. If you're not a steppe nomad, if you've never lived that life, you wouldn't understand it. It'll be just a cool-sounding noise to you.

[HARMONICROOMS]

@achbold So people can’t be inspired by other cultures?

When you find out your own body can make this ‘unearthly’ sound, as an adult it is a truly life changing new experience. Finding out about the culture and situation that cultivated this sound is indeed fascinating but can’t say that it has to stay there in that culture, that’s like some kind of weird sound fascism.

[Ghnarlok99AndBeercan]

Forget all the baloney I've met Michael several times and its been an absolute priviledge. Not only is he tottaly commited to his art but he does it with humility and humour. The light shines from this guy. Thank you Michael

[WhollyMowly]

@achbold You're right, you shouldn't say much. Despite the idiocy of your philosophy generally here's a suggestion - this represents assimilation, the opposite of multiculturalism. Also you probably think you're very clever with this 'boutique multiculturalism' phrase, however it makes very little sense here as boutique means providing for a fashionable elite - as far as I know this music is not all that fashionable and it is hardly elitist, as the concert the deaf (I presume) at the end proves.

[Wongraven559]

@djaevulens yes i have combined throat singing and metal guitar and its a perfect marriage check it out at wongraven559 throat singer with heavy guitar as well as many other videos of styles of throat singing , enjoy:)

[rajoteer]

@djaevulens It's at least easy to make a fluid transition between kargyraa style throat singing and growling

[djaevulens]

Does anybody know if Khoomi or throat singing somehow is technically related to Growling used in death metal music

(Please note that I'm not talking about Screaming used by certain bands. I'm talking about the type of deep dark growling when you use your diaphragm and stomach to get the sound. )

[SusannaBearfoot]

I've met this guy and he's an amazing exponent of khoomii. He's so passionate about it and his teaching of the technique is really accessible.

[qusnakaal]

mike, if you ever see this, I lost contact with you! andy cordery, if you remember me?.. only just opened a youtube account after all this time!!!

[Boogieforme]

"Michael Ormiston is one of the only non-Mongolians able to sing Khöömii a type of overtone singing."? Riiiiiiiiight