The Artist
Linda Bjalla is the solo musical identity of Izumi Suzuki from Japan who lists her primary instruments as: piano, voice, glockenspiel, melodica. Izumi's main web presence is her simply styled personal website, where she makes frequent announcements on her work. She also has an extensive MySpace network at the time of this review - May 2008 - comprising over 600 friends and is now developing her Virb presence.
All of her web space is a pleasure to visit. They are as economical as a zen garden with lots of white space and simple understated typography and perfectly complements her musical style.
The EP
Lost in the Forest is both a musical work and a hand crafted artefact of simple beauty. Enclosed in a tactile, crackley cellophane bag, each cover has been hand stamped with iconic children's storybook imagery. An owl, a magical tree, a rabbit. And each is uniquely, a touch that communicates the passion and sensitivity that Izumi brings to her work.
Lost in the Forest is the encapsulation of an idealised childhood - of stories from Hans Christian Anderson or The Brothers Grimm read by nightlight at bedtime. It moved me deeply - it is an island of calm away from the unforgiving pressures of adulthood; a sweet-sorrow reflection on mortality. To evoke the positive things as do these four simple pieces takes a rare sensitivity. To place the work in a collection of four is percisely the right choice. The EP is soon over - it works it's magic and then, in the afterglow there is a time for quiet reflection. This is not a work to be consumed, rather it is a fragile, magical gift for stimulating memory and should be used sparingly, when the need is there for that connection with the past.
Commentary of the tracks individually is superfluous. Nothing more can be added to distillation evoked by the four titles:
Kiss Thumbelina
Forest at Night
Ring of Earth
Another World at the End of the Tunnel
Pilgrimage on maea compilation 53 weeks ago
Hi all!
I am sorry I didn't tell you about the information for a while.
One of my songs called "Pilgrimage" is on MAEA compilation album.
MAEA has only beautiful music!
plays today - 0
all-time plays - 175
profile views - 1144
.::fountain of dream::. official Linda Bjalla website
Linda Bjalla official blog
MySpace
Amie Street
last.fm
I'm a fan of you too! Thank you for the sweet comment! Domo arigato! Mata ne! Kisu | M.
posted Dec 16
thank you Izumi, glad you're still listening :) It sounds really wonderful here. Thanks for the amazing picture

posted Nov 10
hey! thanks... for the pictures, it's a old 6x6 bought in a old shop. no name on it. but very good photos...
posted Nov 10
Thanks for the add it is very much appreciated. Nice sounds here - can we get download these tracks from somewhere?
posted Jun 9
Thank you for the lovely comment, your music is really beautiful. I especially like 'Forest at Night'.
posted Apr 20
Clicking this will take you to "The Secret Diary of Steve Ballmer"! or check out the ZuneCast, here.
posted Apr 17
Ohayou. Ha ? Nihongo no font ga display dekine ?! Nanja sorya ?! A- gomen, kakikata ga nanka kowai jan w. "Itai no itai no, tondeke ! Genki ? Saitama ha dou ? Natsukashii . . Nihon ni zettai modoritai . ." tte kaita. Neko no shashin arigatou ! Collaboration tanoshimi. Ki wo tsuketete. D.
posted Mar 27
Hi Izumi :) I feel absolutely touched and thankful with your kind words and so truly happy that my music has such an effect to you :) I have also been listening to your wonderful works constantly the last days and I am so beautifully bewitched and stunned! :) Thank you for the fantastic picture as well! Take care my great friend and have a beautiful weekend! Until soon, Chris
posted Mar 22
Izumi - thanks for commenting my Virb. I have listened to your wonderful haunting music - an intersection of moods that evoke the best of Cluster, Wim Mertens and Colleen - my favourite artists! with best wishes Alan
posted Mar 17
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Christophe.g/ tellemake says:
. iam sincerely Glad and moved dear izumi , to refind you and read your extensive words. iam thinking the same about the faith for art in the gestures of your music..... Thougths and breathes for this year with the 9 number inside it , the longer breathes towards you. Christophe.
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posted 53 weeks ago