O-KAI Singers: Taiwan’s All-Indigenous Acapella Group - Resound Ep5

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Not all acapella music groups utilize heavy beatboxing techniques to lure the audience. Some, like O-Kai Singers, hypnotize you into a comfortable trance with their rendition of Taiwanese folk songs and American hymnals. Having set the record of performing more than 600 shows over the span of eight years, O-Kai Singers is easily one of the most popular acapella groups from Taiwan. More importantly, they’re an all-Indigenous acapella group, with all four members being of the Atayal people. Pair this with a long-standing jazz influence, O-Kai Singers presents a folk songs with a modern twist, as is presented in this episode of Resound. The Atayal people are a community of Austronesian people and one of the Indigenous communities recognized by the government of Taiwan. With songs like “Swa I Yan” and “Rimuy Sula Rimuy Yun,” O-Kai Singers wish to highlight the diversity within the Atayal community. Even though acapella originated from churches and cathedrals in 1600s Europe, these four Taiwanese singers have proven that it’s one of the best ways to continue a tradition and culture of Indigenous Taiwan. O-KAI SINGERS Soprano | Jen YEH 葉微真 Alto | Pata LEE 芭塔 Tenor | Sean YEH 葉孝恩 Bass | Hey Hey FENG 馮瀚亭 SETLIST Blah Blah Blah Hata Mtzyaw Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen Swa I Yan Rimuy Sula Rimuy Yun

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Resound

From classical musicians to contemporary artists that exhibit their talent in both musicianship and songwriting, to jazz bands and acapella groups who tell tales unique to Taiwan. We believe that good music is worth resounding over and over again.