REVIEW & INTERVIEW: INK STICKS & STONES ‘VASTE’
During the summer and winter holidays, Ink Sticks & Stones would visit her father's side of the family in a small village of Génier when she was a child. Forest, trees, snow, and folkloric tales consists some of the best memories. “We would stay up until 3 am looking at the milky way, dig snow tunnels when it was higher than us, and listen to the stories of those who came before us,” Ink Sticks & Stones said.
In the forest, surrounded by trees, it was a space of wisdom and self-reflection. She was fascinated by the beauty and strength in trees, and constantly inspired and transformed by the experience of being in nature. “A forest is a wonderful duality of danger and peace. As opposed to large cities, we have to learn about space and to know how to exist in it. We ended up learning more about ourselves and what is capable of,” she continued, “once you strip away the voices that aren’t yours and the obligations that are forced on us, you can begin to explore who you are in your own space.”
Vaste is a single piece separated into five movements that revolve around the memories of Génier. In the imagination of spaces in nature and examination of feelings and their representation, Vaste was brewing in late-night creative sessions over a two-year period.
Growing up in a multicultural environment, Ink Sticks & Stones absorbed musical influences from around the world. Ink Sticks & Stones started playing classical music on the piano when she was 7 years old. Later on in life, she learned erhu (a Chinese bowed instrument) and self-taught guitar. The blend of different musical, cultural influences was subtly reflected in Vaste. When Ink Sticks & Stones presented the arrangement to Grammy Award winner Inaam Haq, the music producer instantly fell in love with the project and joined in the co-producing process.
“Vaste I” was the initial sonic experiment on classical approach as opposed to her prior folk-rock project. The piece reimagined the calmness and openness of being outside in the winter, watching snowflakes drifting in the wind. “Vaste II” explores her Chinese roots in a western world that doesn’t represent her in the seeking of a Chinese erhu in a cello’s sonic world, where it finally found its belonging in another erhu.
“Vaste III” invites the idea of pause and stillness. It was the manifestation of Ink Sticks & Stone’s fascination for trees. “I wanted to create a song that mirrored the slow, steady growth of trees - from tiny saplings to majestic giants, from lone plant to a massive forest,” she said.
“Vaste IV” investigates polyphony, diving deep into the forest where various creatures and beings co-exist. Coming out of the heart of the forest, “Vaste V” is the first ray of dawn, announcing hope and renewal with a hint of uncertainty.
The underrepresentation and the search for belonging are other crucial themes in Vaste. The journey was a vulnerable and lonely one, but eventually, we find peace and love in the arm of openness and acceptance. As in the final movement of Vaste and as in life, “the erhu in ‘Vaste V’ was the last part to be written, but it was the most significant one for me. At first, the erhu kind of stands out, feeling like it doesn't belong. Eventually, it is welcomed by the other strings and joins them enthusiastically. It is not asked to change, to assimilate, but allowed to exist authentically,” said Ink Sticks & Stones.
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