A group of animated characters performing songs about island folklore in Jèrriais has released its first full album.
La Dgaîngue – which translates as “The Gang” – is a virtual pop band whose music is performed by real musicians, but fronted by digital characters inspired by acts such as Gorillaz and Hatsune Miku.
The new album, Bouogement – which means “Movement” in Jèrriais – features ten songs exploring the language and the island’s heritage.
The tracks are performed in both English and Jèrriais, and follow the release of the group’s debut single and animated video last week.
There are songs about the language itself, about community and belonging, dancing together, collecting shells at the beach, a magical woodland, the weather, and even a traditional local apple pudding called Bourdélots.
La Dgaîngue is the brainchild of musician and ethnomusicologist Dr Kit Ashton, who holds a PhD in music specialising in the ways music can help support endangered languages.
He said: “It’s been such a joy to develop this concept and make this album over the past two years.
“My aim was to make a collection of songs that will excite and inspire local children, and hopefully also be enjoyable for parents and others to hear on repeat!
“As we weave Jèrriais into our everyday lives we can connect with it on a deeper level, and our heritage then becomes not only part of who we are today, but who we are becoming in the future.”
Bouogement is available to stream and download on Bandcamp, and all major streaming services.
GALLERY…
