BOI AKIH DUO
A mix of virtuosity, enchanting melodies, sophisticated structures and colourful rhythms.
Niels Brouwer and Monica Akihary, better known as BOI AKIH, are winning increasing acclaim for their concerts and CDs. As Norwegian music magazine Jazznytt wrote: “ The Dutch duo ‘Boi Akih’ was of especially high artistic quality and a stylish delight, with the unique voice of vocalist Monica Akihary, who is deeply rooted in the traditional languages and cultures of the Moluccan Islands in Indonesia. With her husband, guitarist and composer Niels Brouwer, she created a magic hour with pure acoustic music based on a fascinating tapestry of folk music, contemporary sounds and improvisation. During a movingly pure musical journey we experienced all the essential elements of being human. Boi Akih is world-class and an artistic antidote to the din with which we are surrounded in our daily lives”.
Niels and Monica don’t shy away from unusual combinations. The two absorb anything that seems musically interesting and their musical communication is unique. Monica uses her ancestral language from the island Haruku for the lyrics, but when it comes to melody and rhythm she and Niels are true globalists. Niels’ strong rhythmic feeling is pervasive throughout the music’s different moods and scales. He sometimes even sounds like a percussion instrument. This in combination with his incredible speed and melodic creativity is truly breath-taking.
Monica’s voice adds a mysterious dimension to Niels Brouwer’s inventive compositions.
Her voice is a phenomenon in itself, ranging from intimate emotion to free jazz, a masterful combination of technical prowess and compelling melodies. Their music is like a journey to faraway places, laden with enchantment and innovation. With cutting edge use of technology such as an automated Balinese gendèr and the InC Loop, BOI AKIH shows that the beauty of music can be experienced in countless ways.
