If there is one band that never fail to impress with their uncompromising exploration of music then it is Norway’s Erlend Apneseth Trio. For 2019’s Nordic Prize-nominated album Salika, Molika, we saw the trio temporarily expand their line-up to include virtuoso accordionist Frode Haltli. In his review of the album, Thomas Blake was more than clear on the position they held as arch-innovators of the Scandinavian folk scene declaring “You are unlikely to hear a more innovative album all year, or one more in touch with its roots. Salika, Molika is an avant-folk marvel.”
At the beginning of that album review, he asks how, after the release of their 2016 debut Det Andre Rommet and 2018’s Åra, are they to follow-up? So is Salika, Molika the pinnacle?
It would appear not, for the trio have been exploring totally fresh areas of electro-acoustic improvisation and our first listen comes via the danceable Lokk, the title track of their new album due for release 30th April via Hubro.
It’s a rich first offering, opening to archival recordings of Norwegian herdswomen, they slowly inter-weave and layer their instruments building into an irresistible almost dub-like groove over which the drone of the Hardanger fiddle weaves its spell, counter-balanced by the brightness of the mora harp…a totally immersive listen that will leave you wanting more.
The work was originally commissioned by FRIKAR Dance Company to accompany the performance of a new work, ‘Skaut’ [headscarf], dealing with the covering of the body in different cultures, the music of ‘Lokk’ [trans: either “covering” or, of hair, “lock”, “curl” or “ringlet”) finds them integrating their music with electronic beats and treated textures to form a kind of enhanced digital-folk style whose influences stretch from traditional south Asian ragas to contemporary dance culture from around the globe.
“Our musical idea for this project was to unite different extremes, connections that felt “forbidden” in one form or another”, says Stephan Meidell. “For example, by using the sampled recording of traditional herd-calling, blended together with aesthetics from more contemporary music styles. This exploration has led us further into a rhythmic and danceable landscape than in previous releases. We also wanted to use this opportunity to deliberately make more dance-related music…”
The album, available as LP, CD, DL, will be released by Hubro records on April 30th. A concert from Riksscenen, Oslo will be available to Livestream on the 16th April:
concert details:16th April, Riksscenen, Oslo 9pm Norwegian time/8pm UK time streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/riksscenen