Striking harmonies that reverberate down to your core, twin sisters Ibeyi present a sync of souls to a rhythm that’s very natural in its allure. And a tone that intuitively connects you to its deep and steady beats. Ibeyi (Ìbejì) translates from Yoruba (which the band sings in a mix with English) to mean twins. But Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Díaz, like any sisters and any duo, are very different, not just in personality but in their unique sounds. Lisa-Kaindé has an unshakable intensity to her voice its bass signature fitting perfectly with Naomi’s higher range, which is highly emotive.
A defining music video, River showcase’s Ibeyi’s musical prowess whilst being instantly mesmerising, and not just by how long they can hold their breath for. Directed by Ed Morris, there’s no sparkle or glitter, which is too often used in today’s music videos, but a natural simplicity that suits the folk-beats of Ibeyi’s 2015 debut album of the same name, its purity remaining undiluted. In the video River the sisters are photographed from above as they lay down in the river’s water, their heads each supported by an outstretched arm, while the other hand clutches the white cloth of their tops – are they being held down and drowned? Or being pulled out and saved?
“Sink my pains and complains
Let the river take them, river drown them
My ego and my blame
Let me baptize my soul with the help of your waters”
Own interpretations aside, what’s interesting, whether coincidence or not, is the tattoo appearing on one of the arms that’s saving/drowning them. Its design being of a nautical compass, with an anchor attached. Is this water symbol a guide to Ibeyi, and with the anchor having a place to be grounded to – in essence the river? Hey, who knows?
Providing their signature music; Lisa-Kaindé plays the piano, and Naomi the percussion through a cajón (box drum with snares/strings behind the wood) and a batá (double-headed drum, with a skewed hour-glass shape) which are an integral part of their songs. Their combined music emulating a sense of going back to the traditional – and away from synth, electronica – and instead to a calmness that when merged with their vocals makes Ibeyi utterly hypnotising.
Other songs by Ibeyi we love:
- Deathless (feat. Kamasi Washington) (2017 – Ash)
- I Wanna Be Like You (2017 – Ash)
- Exhibit Diaz (2015 – Ibeyi)
- Stranger/Lover (2015 – Ibeyi)
Other artists you might like:
- CocoRosie
- FKA Twigs
- Sudan Archives
- Vicktor Taiwò
