“In the beginning of 2013 I was texting back and forth with my friend Albin. He wanted me to come and play at a jazz festival that he was living nearby, it was Montreux Jazz Festival. At that point I was still quite unknown outside Sweden and regardless of my friend’s many attempts to contact the festival they never returned to him with an offer. I gave up the idea, he did not. Later that same year he unexpectedly died and a few years later, in 2017, an email popped up in my inbox, it was a request to open for Nick Cave and the bad seeds at the Montreux jazz festival. The tragedy that Albin was still not around to share the excitement with me gave me sorrow.

But, through the magic of music comfort came. The show was an emotional turmoil of ecstasy and grief, shared with an incredible audience and atmosphere. And, eventually, I could see his face in the venue, floating above all others, smiling and waving towards me. I’m so happy to have been given this moment and I’m beyond grateful to Montreux Jazz Festival, John Harris and Mathieu Jaton who so beautifully recorded this special concert that I will keep close to my heart forever and ever.” (Anna von Hausswolff)

@ Southern Lord Records

“The fourth album by drøne, (Mark Van Hoen and Mike Harding), is the third for Anna von Hausswolff’s label, Pomperipossa Records. Featuring Zachary Paul on violins, Charlie Campagna (bass and cello), and Katt Newlon on cello, the strings add lush, warm layers to a darker, edgier sound. Gabi Strong debuts on guitar and the voices of a host of vocalists, including Claire Belhassine, Celia Eydeland, Bana Haffar, Pepa Ivanova, Nour Mobarak, and Brisa Romero. With the trademark drøne sounds of static, radio voices, field recordings, modular synthesizer, and found sounds, recording chance sounds right up to the final mix to add to the dynamism and energy of the album. Scream — it’s all you can do now. Overwhelming, scatter-gun information delivery has everyone confused, bowel churningly fearful and appalled at the nature of the changing times. Humans are biologically, psychologically, and emotionally able to cope with slow evolutionary change, but struggle with revolutionary, violent distortion or mutation. This leaves people anxious and even desperate for a firmer footing. The Stilling, a phenomenon whereby the wind speed on the planet seems to be slowing down for no known scientific reason, explores this state of discomfort and perplexion. Time spins. The glass is falling… Photography and typography by Nico Van Hoen; Artwork by Philip Marshall. Mastered by Charlie Campagna. Cut by Jason at Transition. Includes download code with bonus track, ‘Black Stone’.”

Pomperipossa Records