uRYa’s music tells the story of wide open spaces, rivers, fire, cold, souls and shamans. Sober and powerful, it takes us to meet the nomadic peoples of Mongolia and their instruments: horsehead fiddle, tsuur flute, jaw harp and throat singing. Aerial soundscapes of singular beauty.
Would you like to tell us about URYA and what kind of music you play?
Sain bain uu, hello everyone and thank you a lot for this interview. uRYa is my solo project of traditional Mongolian music.
Where do you come from?
East of France.
When and how did it start?
It all started on December 24, 2007 in Freiburg in Germany where by chance I saw the ensemble Hosoo & Trans Mongolia playing in the street. I knew absolutely nothing about this culture, and I was really motionally touched. It was my Christmas present. Two years later, once again by chance, I was invited to a throat singing workshop. I signed up out of pure curiosity because I thought at the time that a human couldn’t sing like that.
How long time have you been playing?
I never stopped learning and here I am fifteen years later doing an interview.
“URYA” what does that mean, and does it have a special meaning for you?
uRYa comes from the old Mongolian words “uria duudlaga” and means the call of nature. This is very important because all the instruments and vocal techniques I use are reminiscent of that nature : wind,
rivers, birds, horses, mountains etc.
What music inspired you?
Apart from Mongolian and Nordic music, I’m a die-hard metal fan. I discovered music with the band ZZ Top, I was 11 years old. I never stopped listening to Korn, Deftones, Soulfly, Downset, Mass Hysteria …My last crush was on Amenra.
Have you played anything else?
I played didgeridoo for about ten years.
Have you played in any bands?
I played in a world music band called L’Esprit Mimih”
What instruments do you play?
I mostly play morin khuur, Mongolian horsehead fiddle, tsuur flute, jew harps and drum but also igil, a tuvan horsehead fiddle, suukh khuur, a buryat fiddle and Santa brought me a bass talharpa last Christmas.
I know you have done collabs with others, would you like to share with whom?
I started collabs with my last album with 16 other artists. It was a crazy bet during the pandemic to reunite so many musicians and to open my music to different instruments and music styles when the whole world was shutting down. Music won !
I played for last SKÁLD album, and I recently released a single combining Mongolian and Nordic music with Roxane Au’ra, Stevens Kbosh and Eolya.
Would you do more collabs.?
Already working on a new single with Roarback Studio on production. The plan for 2025 is to form a band with live Mongolian and Nordic instruments, throat singing, computer music, a female singer and a drummer.
Where do you typically get your inspiration to compose/ produce music?
I get my inspiration mostly from my daughters, love, nature and also my instruments.
Do you compose/produce everything yourself?
I did a lot of arrangements from Mongolian traditional music and started to compose since 2017. I work with a producer since my last two singles.
Do you have a favourite band yourself?
Many but let say Eldrim
Can we see you live in 2025?
I will start touring in March with a concert at the exhibition park in Mulhouse for Himalaya Festival.
Any new releases of tracks or albums soon?
A new single in a few weeks
What do you do in your free time? Do you have other interests as sport, gaming or crafting maybe?
I brew beer and make mead. With a 19 months daughter, I don’t have really free time and that’s all fine. If I would have some more, I would go hiking, snowboarding, and take photos.
We would like to thank you for answering our questions about your music, and glad we could do this written interview, sure many are interested in getting to know you better….
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