Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Black Sea Dahu is centered around singer-songwriter Janine Cathrein.
The project wasn't always called that. At first, Janine played under the name Josh, accompanied by her brothers and sisters. In 2018, with the release of the cult album White Creatures, the band was reborn under the name Black Sea Dahu. Why this name you might ask? The "Dahu" is a legendary creature of the Alps (an animal whose legs are shorter on one side for walking along mountain slopes). By adding "Black Sea", the band creates a contrast between Swiss mountain roots and a distant, mysterious, liquid horizon.
Often described as "Modern Folk" or "Urban Folk", it stands out notably through Janine's voice, a deep, dark, and textured alto, often compared to that of Tanita Tikaram or Aldous Harding. Another distinguishing feature is the orchestration. Unlike minimalist folk, Black Sea Dahu uses rich arrangements: cellos, punchy acoustic guitars, and meticulously timed family vocal harmonies. Favoring raw emotion and storytelling, Black Sea Dahu draws its DNA from Ben Howard, Bon Iver, and Feist.
The band includes Janine, her sister Vera, and her brother Simon. This closeness creates a rare vocal symbiosis (known as "blood harmony"). In interviews, Janine admits that working with family allows for brutal honesty, which is what makes their songs so authentic.
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