Review Fix Exclusive: Nature Ganganbaigal Talks ‘The Mantra’

Review Fix chats with composer Nature Ganganbaigal who discusses his new EP, “The Mantra.”

If you’ve never heard of “Neo-Central Asian nomadic folk” music before, don’t worry. The easiest way to sum up Nature Ganganbaigal’s new EP “The Mantra” is a beautiful instrumental collection of Asian-themed tracks that blend together in a way where you’ll almost feel like you’re far, far away from home.

To the ears of a lifelong New Yorker or city dweller, Ganganbaigal’s music is weird at first, but the compositions have staying power due to the infectious beats and sultry smoothness. Already performing with the New York University Philharmonic and featured in a slew of films, Ganganbaigal has a unique pedigree that makes this seemingly inaccessible and distant tunes and makes them feel unique and warm.

Review Fix: What was it like putting this album together?

Nature Ganganbaigal: It is very different from most of my previous work I have to say. It is mostly just guitar and throat singing. Very simple arrangement, more about the feeling. So when I was mastering and arranging the songs, I felt very refresh and peaceful. The working schedule was extremely tight but somehow the emotion of those songs makes me feel very peaceful.

Review Fix: What makes this album special?

Ganganbaigal: It is a Central-Asian nomadic folk themed album, yet using new folk instrumentation and groove feeling to present it. No big sound, but still has variation and changing.

Review Fix: Where do you draw inspiration from?

Ganganbaigal: Central-Asian folk music, Chinese music, Mongolian music, and also New-folk influence from Germany. I listened to many German neo folk and medieval folk and I learn from them.

Review Fix: What song do you think has the best story behind it?

Ganganbaigal: I think the last Life Rattles On has a very emotional flows. It is about our life, that so many things come and pass as they never intend to stay. We go on seamless life stages yet none of them will host us forever. It is a sad and thoughtful song that trying to bring up thought about the changing in every’s life.

Review Fix: What do you think makes you different?

Ganganbaigal: I guess it is the crossover between Mongolian folk and modern music. I try to combine ancient sound with modern music genre, yet trying to make it sound well-balanced and blended not just forcing two genres to work together.

Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself from this album?

Ganganbaigal: Very good question. I learned that I don’t always need to compose very complicate music with multiple instrumentations and arrangements. With more emotion, simple sound and simple instrumentation could still bring emotional experience to me myself and to others.

Review Fix: What was it like to step away from Tengger Calvary for a while to do
this?

Ganganbaigal: It feels like a rest. Like you were riding horse, and now you mount down and sit on the grassland a bit and look at the sky without any thinking, only feeling.

Review Fix: What are your goals for this album?

Ganganbaigal: To experiment something I never tried before. I always like acoustic new folk and I would like to do it in my own way this time.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Ganganbaigal: Mongolian nomadic folk music blended with modern sound, either electronic or heavy rock.

Review Fix: What do the next few months look like for you?

Ganganbaigal: Not much plan yet. Trying to bring Tengger Cavalry back on stage. But we will see.