It all started with Thomas Strønen and Ståle Storløkken wanting to do something new. Not expand on existing projects, but to build something completely new and untried from scratch. They both agreed that they wanted to play more with each-other, and that they wanted to explore another format than the completely free and improvised they've been operating in, with and without Sidsel Endresen, under the name Humcrush. They wanted to contain a lot of the freedom, but also envisioned a more song-structured band, and mayhap also a bit more hard-hitting.
So begins the story about Norways new, skilled band; and also about how Moldejazz was picked as the venue for their world-premiere.
- With this band we span a lot, and I mean a lot, of genres. With backgrounds in everything from pure improvisation, through pop, hip-hop and rock, we have a lot of openness, and as such a highly interesting basis for working with exciting material.
So far Strønen and Ståle Solbakken have produced some material, and in June they enter the studio in Trondheim with Møster and Ryan. The plan is to release an album in the spring of 2015, but before then they will hold one exclusive concert; their world-premiere at Moldejazz.
- Moldejazz is a festival we can all relate to. For my part it has followed me throughout my career, and it's been a festival where presenting new material comes naturally. As such it was nothing but natural for us to present this new band in Molde.
